Mayor Ford grilled on Jimmy Kimmel Live

Late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel prodded Mayor Rob Ford to seek help for his excessive drinking during an awkward, at times cringe-worthy appearance on Kimmel’s show on Monday night.

“If you are an alcoholic, if you’re drinking enough that you tried crack in your 40s and you don’t remember it, maybe that’s something you might want to think about, like talking to someone about it,” Kimmel said.

Ford, decked out in an all-black suit and bright red tie, threw his head back and laughed before saying he “wasn’t elected to be perfect.”

“I was elected to clean up the mess that I inherited and that’s exactly what I’ve done.”

“I’m just a normal, average, hard-working politician that’s real…”

Kimmel quickly quipped, “You are not the average politician my friend.”

Despite claims that he travelled to Los Angeles to be an ambassador for Hollywood North, Ford spoke little about films during the appearance.

But he did rehash some familiar territory.

He bashed the local Toronto media for its incessant hounding, took angry pokes at police chief Bill Blair and city councillors, and hammered home his “taxpayers-first” policy whenever Kimmel momentarily relented the virtual roasting.

Kimmel kicked things off asking what many Torontonians were likely already thinking; “Why are you here? What good could come of this? Have you ever seen my show?”

Kimmel proceeded to read angry messages from viewers, many from Toronto, while Ford’s face began to match the crimson hue of his tie.

“I’m really disappointed you are giving this abusive exploiter the time of day,” Kimmel read.

“Do you know about Rob Ford’s domestic abuse, drunk driving, racism, homophobia and inability to tell the truth?”

Ford, sweat now rolling down his forehead, asked, “Is that all I got?”

“I guess they don’t talk about all the money I’ve saved. How we straightened out the city.”

A little later, Kimmel had Ford stand and watch a series of his most notorious, and embarrassing, moments caught on tape. They included Ford’s infamous Steak Queen rant and the video where a clearly agitated Ford threatens someone.

When asked who he was threatening, Ford said he didn’t know.

“You have that many enemies that you don’t know which one this was?” Kimmel asked.

The Great Gonzo was the next guest.

He too poked fun at Ford, who by now was hightailing it back home to more familiar, and seemingly safer territory.