Jimmy Kimmel Will Air a Repeat During David Letterman’s Final Show

Jimmy Kimmel is honoring his idol David Letterman by not competing with him. Kimmel will reportedly air a repeat of his own show on May 20, when Letterman wraps up his Late Show run, according to the New York Times.

“I have too much respect for Dave to do anything that would distract viewers from watching his final show,” Kimmel said in an email to the Times. He added: “Plus, I’ll probably be crying all day, which makes it hard to work.”

For more proof of Kimmel’s adoration of Letterman, watch his tribute to the host at the 2012 Kennedy Center Honors. “When I turned 16 I blew out the candles on a Late Night with David Letterman cake that my mom made me,” Kimmel explained. “My first car had a Late Night vanity plate. I drew pictures of Dave on the covers of all my textbooks. I started a Late Night with David Letterman club in high school.”

The Times reported that both Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show and Conan are airing new episodes on May 20.

Photos: David Letterman’s Early Career