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

One of David Letterman's earliest roles before he made it as a television host was as a guest star on Mork & Mindy.

CBS/Getty Images

Before he received his own show, Letterman was a regular guest host for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Above, he is seen interviewing Betty White.

Paul Drinkwater—NBC/Getty Images

In 1980, Letterman finally got his own morning comedy show, The David Letterman Show. Above, he is seen interviewing Truman Capote.

Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

After the cancellation of his morning show, Letterman was given a new show and time slot, Late Night With David Letterman which immediately followed The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. The first version of the Late Night franchise, debuted on February 1, 1982 and would eventually be succeeded by Conan O’Brien, seen above.

Al Levine—NBC/Getty Images

Letterman left NBC for CBS to start the Late Show with David Letterman when NBC gave the reigns of The Tonight Show to Jay Leno instead of him after Johnny Carson's retirement. The first show debuted on August 30, 1993, with Letterman's retirement announced for 2015.

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