Helena Frye
In 2018, Texas Senator Ted Cruz challenged late-night TV host Jimmy Kimmel to a one-on-one basketball game after Kimmel likened him to a blobfish. The game, dubbed the Blobfish Basketball Classic, was played at Texas Southern University and saw Cruz edge out Kimmel with a final score of 11-9. While Kimmel lost the game, he won over the audience with his trash-talking and political jabs, even walking away with the MVP award.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 16 June 2018 |
| Winner | Ted Cruz |
| Runner-up | Jimmy Kimmel |
| Final Score | 11-9 |
| Location | Texas Southern University’s Health and Physical Education Arena |
| Charity | Generation One Texas; Texas Children's Hospital |
| Donations | $10,000 each |
| Reason for Match | Ted Cruz was likened to a blobfish by Jimmy Kimmel |
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What You'll Learn
Ted Cruz beats Jimmy Kimmel in the Blobfish Basketball Classic
In 2018, Texas Senator Ted Cruz beat late-night host Jimmy Kimmel in the first-ever Blobfish Basketball Classic. The game was held at Texas Southern University's Health and Physical Education Arena. The final score was 11-9, with Cruz edging out Kimmel in a game that lasted 80 minutes. The game was set up after Kimmel likened Cruz to a blobfish on his show, "Jimmy Kimmel Live!". The senator did not take kindly to the comparison and challenged Kimmel to a game of one-on-one basketball.
Kimmel, known for his comedic style and wit, did not hold back during the game, asking Cruz, "Did you spend more time this week practicing basketball than trying to get those kids out of that detention center?". The game featured plenty of trash-talking and mic'd-up insults from both participants. Despite losing the game, Kimmel won the crowd over with his humour and even walked away with the MVP award.
The Blobfish Basketball Classic was played for charity, with both participants agreeing that this was the most important outcome. Kimmel doubled his initial pledge and donated $10,000 to the Texas Children's Hospital, where his 1-year-old son had undergone three heart surgeries. Cruz also donated $10,000 to Generation One, an education nonprofit in Houston.
The game received mixed reactions from the public, with some criticising the normalising of a far-right politician like Cruz in the midst of a humanitarian crisis at the border. However, others found the game entertaining, if not a little ugly in terms of basketball skills. Overall, the Blobfish Basketball Classic provided a unique spectacle, combining sports, charity, and political rivalry.
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The game was for charity
The game between Jimmy Kimmel and Ted Cruz was indeed for charity. The event was the Blobfish Basketball Classic, which was set up after Kimmel likened Cruz to a blobfish on his show, Jimmy Kimmel Live! Cruz challenged Kimmel to a game of one-on-one, which the senator won with a score of 11-9. As a result, Kimmel donated $5,000 to the charity of Cruz's choice, Generation One Texas, an anti-poverty and education nonprofit in Houston. However, Kimmel doubled his donation to $10,000, and Cruz also agreed to donate $10,000 to the Texas Children's Hospital, where Kimmel's son had undergone multiple heart surgeries.
The Blobfish Basketball Classic was held at Texas Southern University ’s Health and Physical Education Arena, with a crowd of 5,000 in attendance. The game was played at a slow pace and lasted 80 minutes, with the two originally supposed to play to 15 but agreeing to shorten the game. Despite the lighthearted nature of the event, it was not without its criticisms. The match took place while a humanitarian crisis was unfolding in Texas, with thousands of migrant children being held in a Walmart. In addition, the basketball game gave Cruz, a defender of the Trump administration's controversial immigration policies, some positive press coverage.
Kimmel and Cruz engaged in trash-talking throughout the game, with Kimmel bringing up Cruz's immigration policies and asking if he had spent more time practising basketball than trying to help the children in detention. Cruz fired back with a stipulation that if Kimmel missed a jumper, he would have to convince ABC to bring back "Roseanne". Despite the back and forth, the game ultimately ended on good terms, with Kimmel stating, "You're a good sport. I still think you're a terrible senator."
The rivalry between the two men began when Kimmel mocked Cruz's appearance at a Houston Rockets NBA playoff game. This led to the challenge from Cruz, who played basketball in high school. The game was promoted enthusiastically by Cruz on Twitter, and it was later featured on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Monday night. While the outcome of the game may not have been what Kimmel hoped for, he still managed to get the last laugh with his witty remarks during the trophy presentation.
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Cruz won 11-9
In 2018, Texas Senator Ted Cruz and late-night TV host Jimmy Kimmel faced off in a game of one-on-one basketball. The game, dubbed the "Blobfish Basketball Classic", was hosted at Texas Southern University's Health and Physical Education Arena. The rivalry began when Kimmel, while poking fun at Cruz's appearance at a Houston Rockets game, compared the politician to a blobfish. Cruz, who played basketball in high school, responded by challenging Kimmel to a game.
On the night of the game, a crowd of 5,000 spectators gathered in Texas Southern University's gym to witness the highly anticipated matchup. The game was expected to be played to 15 points, but both participants agreed to shorten it to an 80-minute match. Despite the less-than-stellar basketball skills on display, the game was full of excitement and trash-talking. Kimmel took jabs at Cruz's immigration policies, while Cruz fired back with mic'd-up insults.
In the end, Cruz emerged victorious with a final score of 11-9. While the competition between the two was fierce, they both agreed that the real winners were the charities they supported. Despite losing the game, Kimmel demonstrated his sportsmanship by doubling his donation to $10,000. The funds were directed to Generation One, an education nonprofit in Houston. Cruz also committed to donating $10,000 to the Texas Children's Hospital, a cause close to Kimmel's heart as his one-year-old son had undergone multiple heart surgeries there.
The Blobfish Basketball Classic showcased the competitive spirit and charitable efforts of both participants. Despite their differences, Cruz and Kimmel united for a greater cause, demonstrating that sometimes, it's not just about winning, but also about making a positive impact. The game may have ended, but the impact of their donations will continue to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.
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The game was set up after Kimmel compared Cruz to a blobfish
The game between Jimmy Kimmel and Ted Cruz was set up after Kimmel compared Cruz to a blobfish. The pair faced off in the Blobfish Basketball Classic at Texas Southern University's Health and Physical Education Arena in June 2018. The game was a result of some smack-talking between the two during the NBA playoffs. Kimmel had questioned Cruz's basketball prowess and knowledge, comparing him to a blobfish, to which Cruz did not take kindly.
Kimmel, a late-night television host, comedian, and writer, is known for his humorous jabs and skits on his show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!. On the show, he often invites celebrities and public figures for interviews and comedic segments. In the spirit of his light-hearted and playful style, Kimmel took a playful jab at Senator Ted Cruz, a politician from Texas, by comparing his appearance to that of a blobfish.
Cruz, who played basketball in high school, did not take the comparison lightly. He challenged Kimmel to a game of one-on-one basketball, which Kimmel accepted. The game was set for a Saturday in June 2018 at Texas Southern University, with the proceeds going to charity. The Blobfish Basketball Classic was born out of this challenge, with the name stemming from Kimmel's initial comparison.
The game itself was a slow-moving, half-speed affair, with more comedic relief than dazzling basketball skills on display. Kimmel, wearing a TSU uniform, entered the court with a pink-costumed blobfish mascot by his side, offering a lighthearted tone to the game. Despite Kimmel's prediction of victory, Cruz ultimately won the game with a score of 11-9. The rivalry culminated in a charitable outcome, with donations totaling more than $14,000 for charity, and a lighthearted spectacle for the audience.
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The game was played at Texas Southern University
The game between Jimmy Kimmel and Ted Cruz took place at Texas Southern University's Health and Physical Education Arena in Houston. The game was the culmination of a rivalry that began when Kimmel compared Cruz to a blobfish while poking fun at his appearance at a Houston Rockets NBA playoff game. The game was set up on Jimmy Kimmel Live, with Cruz challenging Kimmel to a game of one-on-one.
The game was played on a Saturday night in front of a crowd of 5,000 people at Texas Southern University's gym. The game was supposed to be played to 15 points, but both players agreed to shorten it to an 80-minute game. The game was described as "mostly bad basketball" and half-speed, with Cruz ultimately winning 11-9.
Despite the light-hearted nature of the game, there was a serious charitable aspect to the event. Both players agreed that charities should be the big winners, with each pledging to donate to a charity of the other's choice. As a result of his loss, Kimmel was on the hook to donate $5,000 to the charity of Cruz's choice, which was Generation One Texas, an anti-poverty and education nonprofit in Houston. However, Kimmel doubled his donation to $10,000, and Cruz also agreed to donate $10,000 to the Texas Children's Hospital, where Kimmel's 1-year-old son had undergone multiple heart surgeries.
The game received some criticism, with some people feeling that it normalised a far-right politician like Cruz in the midst of a humanitarian crisis involving migrant children being held in a Texas Walmart. However, others saw it as a fun and light-hearted event, with the trash-talking and insults adding to the entertainment value.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Ted Cruz beat Jimmy Kimmel in the Blobfish Basketball Classic at Texas Southern University in 2018.
Cruz won the game 11-9.
The game was the culmination of a rivalry that started when Jimmy Kimmel compared the appearance of Ted Cruz to a blobfish at a Houston Rockets game.
