Would Jimmy Kimmel Quit If Leno Got The 11:30 Gig?



Jimmy Kimmel, getting ready to razzle-dazzle the network suits at the May UpFronts, was on the Howard Stern Sirius show this morning. There are Chattering Class rumors that Leno might go to ABC after -- or, if -- he leaves NBC at the end of his contract. On paper, legally, as of right now, Conan O'Brien is scheduled to take over the Tonight Show in 2009 when Jay hands over the keys to the studio, bloodlessly. In theory.

But things could change.

Kimmel, who has a pronounced dislike of all-things-Leno, doesn't like that idea. From Marksfriggin:

"Howard gave Jimmy a plug for his TV show that airs on ABC at 12:05am. He also asked Jimmy if he would quit if ABC hired Jay Leno to do an 11:30pm show. He said he would. He said that they've told him that they wouldn't do that to him though. Jimmy said that he'd like it if they put him on at 11:30 but he doesn't think that he's owed that."

Howard Stern later was asked by a caller if he would take the 11:30 slot. Stern said he would, but only if he could do an interview show -- like his old ! show, not so much like what the present format of Letterman and Leno. Later in the show, Vinnie Favale, the Vice-President of CBS Late Night Programming, East Coast, was on to be --as he always is -- the perfect Letterman "Yes-man." From Marksfriggin:

"Howard said that he heard that ABC posted some posters outside the Letterman studio that said 'Did You Jimmy Last Night' and Vinnie Favale, or someone there, actually went out and painted them black.

"...Howard had Vinnie Favale on the phone so Howard asked him about the billboard that ABC put up. Jimmy told Vinnie that he wasn't too happy about that billboard being put up.

"...Jimmy said he didn't know about the billboard that went up over there in front of the Ed Sullivan theater. Jimmy said he didn't know about it until after the show. Vinnie said that he had to have known about it. Vinnie said he took care of it for him and said that he had someone paint black all over it. Jimmy said it was humiliating for him because he loves Dave."

You do your thing, Favale. Earn that CBS paycheck; aint no shame in the Game. (Marksfriggin)