Jimmy Kimmel won’t air new episode opposite David Letterman’s final show

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Jimmy Kimmel is choosing not to air a new episode of his talk show opposite David Letterman’s final “Late Show” installment.

Kimmel told the New York Times on Thursday that his May 20 episode will be a repeat out of respect for Letterman. Kimmel’s spokeswoman confirmed the report. Other editions of ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” that week will be new.

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

Jimmy Fallon and Conan O’Brien aren’t following suit. NBC’s “The Tonight Show” and TBS’ “Conan” are planning original installments for May 20, according to show representatives.

Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” and “The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore” will be in repeats that week.

Letterman has hosted “Late Show” for 33 years.

Last year during Jay Leno’s final “Tonight Show,” rivals Letterman, Kimmel and O’Brien each aired new episodes. In their opening monologues that night, Letterman and O’Brien mentioned Leno’s last hurrah, while Kimmel tweeted about it.