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Jimmy Valmer
View on WikipediaThe topic of this article may not meet Wikipedia's general notability guideline. (April 2025) |
| Jimmy Valmer | |
|---|---|
| South Park character | |
![]() | |
| First appearance | "Cripple Fight" (2001) |
| Created by | Trey Parker Matt Stone |
| Designed by | Trey Parker Matt Stone |
| Voiced by | Trey Parker |
| In-universe information | |
| Full name | James Valmer |
| Aliases | Jim The Bard Fastpass |
| Gender | Male |
| Occupation | Elementary school student, talk show host (future) |
| Family | Ryan Valmer (father) Sarah Valmer (mother) |
| Significant other | Nancy (girlfriend) |
| Education | South Park Elementary |
| Residence | South Park, Colorado, United States |
James "Jimmy" Valmer (/ˈvɑːlmər/ ⓘ), formerly Jimmy Swanson,[1] is a fictional character from the American animated television series South Park. He is voiced by Trey Parker. He is physically disabled, requiring forearm crutches in order to walk.
Character biography
[edit]In season 7 episode 2 "Krazy Kripples", it is explicitly stated that both Jimmy and Timmy were born with their disabilities. In any case, hampered by his legs, which in many cases he appears not to be able to use, Jimmy primarily uses his crutches both as substitutes for his legs and sometimes even as extra (weaponized) extensions for his arms. He prefers to be called "handi-capable".[2][3] Jimmy is able to speak coherently, and his various aspirations on several different levels of journalism over time also sometimes even makes him more articulate than any of the other children, though his speech is largely affected by his stuttering, and sometimes also his tendency to end some of his sentences with "...very much". He aspires to be a stand-up comedian, and is often featured performing his routines. His catchphrase during his routines is "Wow, what a terrific audience!". Jimmy is commonly seen with Craig Tucker, Clyde Donovan, and Tolkien Black as part of "Craig's Gang". In the show's Season 5 DVD commentary, the show's creators stated that Jimmy was originally intended to be from another town but at some unspecified point moved to South Park as the character started to be written into more episodes. Despite his disability, he is also shown to be an extremely accomplished drummer, performing with Stan Marsh's death metal group Crimson Dawn in the episode "Band in China".
In the 2021 special South Park: Post Covid, Jimmy has his own talk show named Late Night with Jimmy, à la Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and is called "the king of woke comedy".[4]
History
[edit]Jimmy first appears in the season five (2001) episode "Cripple Fight", in which he moves to South Park from a neighboring town and antagonizes Timmy.[2] Parker and Stone initially intended for this to be Jimmy's only appearance, but decided to include the character in subsequent episodes.[5] Now portrayed as a South Park resident, student, and good friend of Timmy, Jimmy has been a recurring character ever since. Jimmy's parents had made fun of disabled children in high school, and believe that Jimmy's disability is a punishment from God. The season eight (2004) episode "Up the Down Steroid" ends with Jimmy addressing the issue of anabolic steroid use in athletic competitions, declaring it as "cheating" while suggesting that professional athletes who use steroids voluntarily reject the accolades and records attributed to them.[6] The episode also reveals that Jimmy has a girlfriend named Nancy.
Reception
[edit]Melanie McFarland of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer describes Jimmy and Timmy's capabilities and portrayal in the show as Parker and Stone declaring their opposition to political correctness as social restriction.[7] When praising the show for both its depiction of Jimmy and Timmy and its coverage of disability-related issues, The Seattle Times columnist Jeff Shannon, a quadriplegic, describes Jimmy and Timmy as "goodwill ambassadors".[8]
References
[edit]- ^ Trey Parker and Matt Stone (March 26, 2003). "Krazy Kripples". South Park. Season 7. Episode 702. Comedy Central.
- ^ a b "We're Not Losing the Culture Wars Anymore". City Journal. Retrieved 2024-06-29.
- ^ "Timmy". South Park Studios. Archived from the original on November 1, 2008. Retrieved November 2, 2008.
- ^ Sparks, Hannah (2021-11-26). "'South Park' shocker: 'Post COVID' special kills off grown-up characters". New York Post. Retrieved 2021-11-26.
- ^ Trey Parker, Matt Stone (2003). "South Park" – The Complete Fifth Season (DVD). Comedy Central. Mini-commentary for episode "Cripple Fight"
- ^ Kuhn, David (July 22, 2004). "Steroids sour fun of Olympics". media.www.dailypennsylvanian.com. Archived from the original on November 4, 2008. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ McFarland, Melanie (September 30, 2006). "Oh my God, 'South Park' killed a decade!". www.seattlepi.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ Shannon, Jeff (November 28, 2005). "The Seattle Times: Arts & Entertainment: Jimmy of "South Park" challenges viewers' attitudes about people with disabilities". seattletimes.nwsource.com. Archived from the original on June 6, 2008. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
External links
[edit]Jimmy Valmer
View on GrokipediaCreation and Development
Debut and Conceptual Origins
Jimmy Valmer first appeared in the South Park episode "Cripple Fight," the second episode of the show's fifth season, which originally aired on June 27, 2001.[3][4] In this installment, Jimmy is introduced as a new member of the South Park Boy Scouts troop, quickly gaining popularity for his stand-up comedy routine that incorporates his physical disability and speech impediment.[1] His debut centers on a rivalry with the established character Timmy Burch, as both compete for attention and leadership roles within the scouts, highlighting tensions over who embodies the "handicapped kid" archetype in the group's dynamics.[5] The character was conceived by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone specifically for "Cripple Fight" as a one-time rival to Timmy, intended to parody the competitive attention-seeking among disabled figures in media portrayals.[6] Parker provides the voice for Jimmy, employing a distinctive stutter where words like "very" are elongated for comedic effect, drawing from exaggerated inspirational tropes associated with disabled entertainers.[7] Initially planned as a non-resident of South Park from a neighboring town, the concept evolved to integrate Jimmy into the town's ongoing narratives following positive audience response to his debut performance. This shift from a singular antagonistic role to recurring supporting character underscores the improvisational development style of the series, where viewer reception influences character longevity.[8]Portrayal and Voice Acting
Jimmy Valmer is voiced by Trey Parker, co-creator of South Park, across the animated series and related media.[2][6] Parker's vocal performance defines the character's speech, incorporating a pronounced stutter that repeats initial syllables, such as in phrases like "vuh-vuh-very good," to reflect Jimmy's depicted speech impediment alongside his physical disability.[9] This stuttered delivery is consistent from Jimmy's introduction in the episode "Cripple Fight" during the show's fifth season, aired on February 27, 2001.[6] The voice acting emphasizes Jimmy's role as an aspiring comedian, blending humor with the character's optimistic and resilient traits through energetic intonation and comedic timing, often highlighting self-deprecating jokes about his crutches and mobility challenges.[1] Parker reprises the role in video game adaptations, including South Park: The Fractured but Whole (2017) and South Park: Phone Destroyer (2017), maintaining the stutter and enthusiastic persona in interactive contexts.[10][11] No guest or alternate voice actors have been credited for Jimmy in primary South Park productions.[2]Character Profile
Physical Appearance and Disability
Jimmy Valmer is portrayed in the characteristic minimalist animation style of South Park, appearing as an elementary school-aged boy with short brown hair and a slender frame. His standard attire consists of a turquoise jacket, blue pants, and shoes, though these details align with the show's uniform depiction of child characters without unique embellishments beyond his disability aids.[5] The defining aspect of Jimmy's physical presentation is his reliance on a pair of metal forearm crutches to facilitate walking, stemming from a mobility impairment in his legs that prevents independent ambulation. This condition manifests in a labored, swinging gait even with support, and is compounded by a severe stutter affecting his speech, which repeats syllables and prolongs words for comedic effect. South Park does not specify a clinical diagnosis for Jimmy's disability, focusing instead on its portrayal as a lifelong physical challenge that the character navigates with humor and resilience; external analyses have speculated similarities to ataxic or spastic cerebral palsy based on visual and behavioral cues, but no canonical confirmation exists from creators Trey Parker or Matt Stone.[12]
Personality Traits and Abilities
Jimmy Valmer exhibits a resilient and optimistic personality, consistently portraying an upbeat demeanor amid his physical challenges from cerebral palsy. This trait is central to his character, as he leverages humor to navigate adversity rather than succumbing to self-pity, often described as "handi-capable" in official characterizations.[1] His positive outlook manifests in interactions where he maintains composure during conflicts, such as initial rivalries that evolve into friendships, underscoring a forgiving and adaptable nature. As a proficient stand-up comedian, Jimmy's primary ability lies in crafting self-deprecating routines that incorporate his disability, drawing from styles reminiscent of Jay Leno with setups like "Have you heard about this?" These performances serve both entertainment and social integration purposes, frequently sought by peers for jokes and guidance.[1] Demonstrated in episodes like "Erection Day," where he competes in a talent show and delivers a successful act just in time, his comedic timing and delivery affirm intellectual acuity unhindered by speech impediments.[13] Beyond comedy, Jimmy shows resourcefulness in physical endeavors when motivated, such as adapting crutches for enhanced mobility or participating in competitive events like the Special Olympics, where he employs strategy over brute strength.[14] His traits of intelligence and self-awareness enable effective problem-solving, as seen when he exposes cheating schemes or rallies against antagonists, blending wit with determination.[15]
Appearances and Story Arcs
Early Episodes and Introduction
Jimmy Valmer debuted in the second episode of South Park's fifth season, "Cripple Fight," which aired on June 27, 2001. In the episode, he is presented as a new transfer student at South Park Elementary School, characterized by a physical disability that necessitates the use of forearm crutches for mobility and a speech impediment featuring stuttering and phonetic substitutions, such as rendering "very" as "vewy" and "ing" endings as "im."[16] Jimmy quickly draws attention through his self-proclaimed stand-up comedy act, delivering punchlines that incorporate his disability in a manner that satirizes expectations of inspirational humor from handicapped individuals.[16] The storyline integrates Jimmy into the main plot when the protagonists—Stan, Kyle, Cartman, and Kenny—recruit him to perform at a protest rally supporting the reinstatement of their scout leader, Big Gay Al, who was dismissed due to his homosexuality. Jimmy's routine is intended to leverage public sympathy for the disabled to amplify the boys' cause, underscoring the episode's critique of performative political correctness. However, his rising popularity as the school's new "handi-capable" celebrity incites jealousy in Timmy Burch, the established wheelchair-using student, leading to a physical altercation between the two dubbed the "cripple fight."[16] This confrontation resolves with reconciliation, foreshadowing their later friendship.[17] Following his introduction, Jimmy made recurring appearances in early episodes that expanded his role within the series' ensemble. In season five's "How to Eat with Your Butt," aired November 14, 2001, he participates in school activities amid absurd plot developments involving parasitic head lice.[17] By season six's "Professor Chaos," which premiered on April 10, 2002, Jimmy aligns with Timmy in supervillain escapades, cementing their bond and positioning Jimmy as a comic foil with agency despite his impairments.[17] These outings established Jimmy's traits—ambitious humor, resilience, and occasional rivalry—as staples, while the show consistently employed his character to lampoon societal attitudes toward disability without overt sentimentality.[16]

