Glazer: Trendy Jimmie Walker @ Stanford’s in the Legends Starting Tonight

Talk about opportune timing…

Jimmie “JJ” Walker has been coming to Kansas City and  Stanford’s for nearly 25 years. During which time the man has stayed in the news and remained relevant.

In just the past couple months Walker made the cover of Rolling Stone and was interviewed on CNN just before the third presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.

Why would CNN interview Jimmie?

Walker has had his own talk show on radio for years and has been focused on politics. Plus he leans Republican.

It’s also well known that he was dating Republican bomb thrower Ann Coulter. Two years ago People Magazine did an entire spread on the top 100 pop culture stars that mattered the past 100 years and Jimmy came in No. 25, not bad.

Walker was discovered in New York by long time talk show host and comic David Brenner. As Walker’s career exploded in the 1970’s Brenner, David Letterman and Jay Leno wrote for JJ. He was a regular at the Comedy Store in LA but was also part owner of the then new Improv on Melrose.

Jimmie’s career soared to the top in the 1970w with his smash hit, “Good Times.” Today it’s considered one of the all time classic sitcoms and is on daily all over the world. 

Now there’s strong talk that Netflix may do a new Good Times with JJ as the dad. Much like they did Full House with my pal Dave Coulier.

Walker’s career has too many credits to list, but he always stays in the game with shows like “Everyone Hates Chris” and “Scrubs.” He lives in Las Vegas and performs all over that city.

I first met Jimmie in the early 90’s when he played Stanford’s. Everyone warned me that he was a bit distant and not a warm person, but we became fast friends. In fact JJ tried to get me on his show with Bill Maher when it was on ABC. He took me to be with him, but Bill and I had a run in back in Westport over the value of comedy clubs back in the mid 90’s so I did not go on.

When I wrote my book, King of Sting Jimmie was our host in Las Vegas. Jimmie and I have done many shows in KC and in Vegas… I got him some big corporate gigs and he loved that.

He’s one of my closest celebrity friends, like Tommy Chong.

Jimmie never lets me down. He’s there when I need him and really cares about my well being. We talk sports and comedy every week by phone, email or text and he’s a Chiefs fan.

He even likes the Royals.

Walker does many charity events in KC and all over the world. He rewrites his material all the time and stays current. He is a Johnny Carson style stand up comic. Very funny and spot on.

I’ve enjoyed calling him my friend.

To that end, Jimmie Walker will at Stanford’s in the Legends all week from Wednesday through Saturday.