Jimmy James

Jimmy James (Stephen Root) is the station's eccentric, extroverted, playful billionaire owner. His name comes from a Beastie Boys song.[4] Despite owning a vast corporate empire, he seems to enjoy micromanaging WNYX. He acts as a father figure towards his employees, often helping them learn life lessons. Recurring gags associated with Mr. James include his search for a wife (for which he keeps an extensive list of potential "wife candidates"), his infatuation with Dave's mother, his inability to act, his rivalries with other wealthy entrepreneurs (such as Ted Turner and "Billy" Gates), and his considerable inside knowledge of conspiracies and government cover-ups; he claims to have been Deep Throat and is at one point suspected to have been the infamous skyjacker D. B. Cooper. In the show's series finale, Mr. James "retires" to New Hampshire where he buys a news radio station and newspaper, taking most of the WNYX staff with him.