Jimmy Kimmel said that he has too much respect for David Letterman to allow ABC to air a new show the same night that Letterman’s final Late Show episode airs.
The Jimmy Kimmel Live! host told The New York Times in an email this morning that he will not be taping a new episode on May 20 out of respect for his idol. Instead, a repeat will air that night.
“I have too much respect for Dave to do anything that would distract viewers from watching his final show,” Kimmel said. “Plus, I’ll probably be crying all day, which makes it hard to work.”
Kimmel is the only rival late night host to make changes for May 20. NBC’s Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon is set to air a new episode that night, as is TBS’ Conan.
Comedy Central’s The Daily Show With Jon Stewart and The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore are both on a break that week, so repeats for those shows were previously planned.
Letterman is ending his historic career on late night television on Wednesday, May 20. He will be replaced by former Colbert Report host Stephen Colbert, who is expected to start later this year.
Letterman’s only guest for tonight is Tina Fey. Tomorrow, he will have Ray Romano and Dave Matthews Band on.
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