Kimmel Goes From Leno To Letterman

kimmelabc.jpgBack in January during the writers strike, Jimmy Kimmel made news when he went from host of his own show to guest on Jay Leno, and vice versa. Now Kimmel will be sitting with David Letterman this coming Monday (but I don't think Dave will return the favor anytime soon). I'm told it's rare for the Los Angeles-based ABC talk show host to get to NYC, so that's why Jimmy is making the rounds: May 12th guesting first on Good Morning America, and then appearing on Howard Stern, before filling in for Regis Philbin. It all leads up to May 13th when Kimmel will do his annual send-up at the ABC upfront. So, with all this talk about Leno possibly moving to ABC (and, of course, Fox), I have to wonder: Does ABC realize what it's already got in Kimmel? Especially factoring in how he and girlfriend Sarah Silverman are definitely the "it" couple media-wise right now.

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14 Comments »

  1. Fox should grab Leno and Silverman.

    They will eat JZ’s lunch.

    Comment by Jamie — May 1, 2008 @ 4:34 pm

  2. “Does ABC realize what they already got in Kimmel”? Yes, I think they probably realize they’ve got a mediocre talent.

    Comment by Late Night Person — May 1, 2008 @ 8:06 pm

  3. ” Late Night Person ”

    calling Kimmel mediocre is generous

    Comment by he stinks — May 2, 2008 @ 2:46 am

  4. Here’s the weird thing about Kimmel’s image. The snoots immediately write him off as a C-grade star that goes way too low-brow.

    And yet, Kimmel’s show is surprisingly hip and has stolen the college crowd buzz from Conan O’Brien. If Kimmel were to go to Fox and run in the 11pm slot, he could do damage. However, he really need to hone in on his monologue.

    Comment by 40yearoldstitzer — May 2, 2008 @ 2:54 am

  5. All Late Night [including the once wonderful Jon Stewart] has become a frat boy bore fest.

    We don’t watch any late night anymore. How about a female host, boys? Rosie O’Donnell would be fun.

    Comment by former late night tv viewers — May 2, 2008 @ 7:20 am

  6. He looks like a sportscaster, circa 1978. Who watches this guy?

    Comment by Jake — May 2, 2008 @ 8:31 am

  7. How can Silverman go out with that schlub?

    Comment by baffling — May 2, 2008 @ 9:02 am

  8. Kimmel is entirely demonstrative of the Gen X/Gen Why generation gap. In other words, what Conan was to mid 90s college kids, Kimmel is today’s. Between him, and the popularity of Dane Cook, I weep.

    Comment by Yikes — May 2, 2008 @ 10:30 am

  9. rosie o’donnell? I thought you said you wanted a female host.

    Comment by Vince — May 2, 2008 @ 10:44 am

  10. Silverman is a hack - after being on TV & the movies for 10 years, she had exactly the same success as Tori Spelling (minus dad’s 90210) - one hit cable series (as long as you’re only counting cable universe ratings) - and sadly somewhere below Flavor Flav’s cable “success.”

    And counting internet hit videos, she’s now tied with a 5-year old who like Silverman - a career solely based on screaming obscenitites …of course,her fans thinks she’s sexy (as much as Tori Spelling anyway) so after 10 years in the biz, her claim to fame is she’s the sexy Andrew Dice Clay and or the girl who sleeps with Kimmel … yea, that’s quite a career.

    Comment by jbelkin — May 2, 2008 @ 11:49 am

  11. Ferguson, meanwhile, seems to be gaining more and more traction. He beat Conan in the latest ratings.

    Comment by Elmer Lingerman Jr. — May 2, 2008 @ 2:06 pm

  12. For some people’s information, I watch that guy. Jimmy’s probably the funniest guy on late night, next to Leno. For people to call him mediocre means they have no standards and never watch him. He’s a heck of a lot better than Conan or Craig. JK is more funnier in five years than Conan O’Brien has been in 15. Conan hosting the Tonight Show: Now that’s called mediocre. Jimmy and Sarah might just be the funniest couple on TV.

    Comment by Shaun S. — May 4, 2008 @ 12:23 pm

  13. please shaun s. you call people out for not having standards and say jay leno is the funniest guy on late night. give me a break. if you knew anything about kimmel you would know the david letterman is his idol and considers him the greatest talk show host of all time.

    Comment by tony hernandez — May 4, 2008 @ 2:23 pm

  14. JIMMY KIMMEL WAS HIGH.

    Comment by JOE PUSSY — May 5, 2008 @ 10:07 pm

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