'Dildodians' are buzzing as Jimmy Kimmel's mayoral bid for Dildo, N.L. gathers steam

It may not be a true town, but its true name is generating buzz internationally and right inside the businesses of Dildo, N.L. thanks to Jimmy Kimmel. 

"It's big booming now for the business, and tonight we will be live on Jimmy Kimmel again," Karine McDonald, owner of Dildo Cove Coffee and Krafts, said Monday. 

Comedian Kimmel's quest to become the mayor of Dildo continues, and he has dispatched his on-air sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez to the town to up the ante.

Even though as a local service district — not a municipality — Dildo does not actually have a mayor, committee member Andrew Pretty said he's sure they can do something. 

"If he runs a good campaign," Pretty joked, as signs and merchandise throughout the community seem to indicate Kimmel is uncontested. 

'Riding the wave'

"The community has been abuzz all week, and I've never seen as many cars go over this road," said Pretty, with people taking photos of the Dildo signs — or stealing them. 

"We're riding the wave. I like to keep things respectable because we are a very proud town, we don't want our town to be too much for the brunt of jokes and innuendos, but I think the producers realize that," he added. 

That wave is bringing a lot of money and international recognition to the area, according to Colleen Morrissey, owner of Inn By the Bay. 

"My bookings have increased maybe 40 per cent," since Kimmel's segments on the community aired this month, said Morrissey. 

"This is absolutely fabulous and we're all riding that bus — and we're having a great time doing it!"

Kimmel connection

The comedian confirmed his "emissary" would be in Dildo in response to a tweet by Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Dwight Ball.

"Hey @jimmykimmel, what are you waiting for?" wrote Ball on Monday morning.

"How about I extend an official invite to come check out our incredible province. August is too hot in LA, and you need a break from that terrible traffic. I promise you'll fall in love with Newfoundland and Labrador!"

The late-night host wrote back a few hours later: "Thank you Premier Ball. My emissary @IAMGUILLERMO is on the ground in Newfoundland and the whole Kimmel family looks forward to seeing the Balls in #Dildo."

Kimmel started his campaign to become mayor last week.

"I was alerted to the existence of a place, maybe a magical place. It's a small town called Dildo — D-I-L-D-O. It's a real place in Newfoundland, Canada," Kimmel told his studio audience on his show Aug. 7.

The host dialed in a crew of "Dildodians" — people who live in Dildo — to talk about their town origins, as well as to announce he wanted to be the town's new mayor.

Pretty said jokes about Dildo's name are nothing new, but attention has exploded since Kimmel's first segments aired.

A crew from Jimmy Kimmel Live is in Dildo this week posting "Kimmel For Mayor" signs and producing segments for at least two more episodes, Pretty said.

Pretty said some residents are concerned the jokes about their home might become too vulgar, but he said dirty jokes are not what the show's producers seem to have in mind.

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