Jimmy Kimmel Won't Go Live During Letterman's Last 'Late Show': 'I'll Probably be Crying All Day'
Who's a bigger fan of David Letterman than Jimmy Kimmel?
Kimmel has always credited the legendary late-night host for inspiring his career in comedy, and as a way of saying thanks, Jimmy Kimmel Live will air a re-run on May 20 as Letterman says his final goodbye to the Late Show.
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"I have too much respect for Dave to do anything that would distract viewers from watching his final show," Kimmel told The New York Times in an email. "Plus, I'll probably be crying all day, which makes it hard to work."
How are the other late shows handling Letterman's big farewell? It's business as usual!
The Times reports that NBC's The Tonight Show -- which launched Letterman's career only to have Jay Leno host the show when Johnny Carson retired -- will air a new episode with Jimmy Fallon in the hosting seat.
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Meanwhile, Conan O'Brien -- who took over Late Night when Letterman went to CBS' Late Show -- plans to pay tribute to the 68-year-old host on his TBS program but will still run a new show on May 20.
Comedy Central hosts Jon Stewart and Larry Wilmore didn't even have to decide whether to air a new episode during Letterman's last night. Both The Daily Show and The Nightly Show are already in repeats that week.
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Former Comedy Central host Stephen Colbert will take over for Letterman on the Late Show starting September 8.