Hader, Kimmel Trade Texts Over Group Chat
Comedians Bill Hader and Jimmy Kimmel described a group text chat with John Mulaney and Fred Armisen on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Football
On Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Bill Hader described a group text chat he shares with Jimmy Kimmel, John Mulaney, and Fred Armisen that has been running for about three years. Kimmel said he and Hader also keep a separate text chain focused on sports.
Why it matters
The discussion offered a glimpse into the private messaging habits of several well-known comedians and how casual exchanges can carry social weight. For sports fans in the United States, it also highlights that the sports conversation runs on a parallel, separate channel.
The group text chain has lasted about three years, with members texting each other every day. Hader and Kimmel both said they feel anxious when they do not receive a 'Ha-Ha' reaction to their messages.
The players
Jimmy Kimmel
Jimmy Kimmel is an American late-night television host and comedian best known for hosting Jimmy Kimmel Live!.
Bill Hader
Bill Hader is an American actor and comedian known for his work on Saturday Night Live and the HBO series Barry.
John Mulaney
John Mulaney is an American stand-up comedian and writer known for his specials and his work on Saturday Night Live.
Fred Armisen
Fred Armisen is an American comedian and actor known for his work on Saturday Night Live and Portlandia.
The details
Hader said he sometimes shares videos in the group chat and asks the others whether Kimmel would find them funny, gauging reactions by whether he receives a 'Ha-Ha' response. Kimmel said the chat has become a problem in both men's homes, while noting that neither Armisen nor Mulaney knows anything about sports.
Timeline
About three years before the broadcast: the group text chain began among Hader, Kimmel, Mulaney, and Armisen.
November 3, 2026: Hader and Kimmel discussed the group chat on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Football Context
Late-night talk shows such as Jimmy Kimmel Live! routinely feature comedians sharing personal anecdotes, and this exchange follows that pattern. The sports reference points back to Hader's youth as a tight end in Oklahoma, a detail that anchors the sports thread of the conversation.
The exchange offers no change to game schedules, rosters, or broadcasts for football fans. Its practical relevance is limited to the sports-themed text chain between Kimmel and Hader.
The takeaway
Even high-profile comedians rely on small, ongoing text exchanges to stay connected, and the routines of these chats can become a source of everyday anxiety as well as amusement.
Further reading
Explore more Football coverage across the United States.
