‘Kimmel’ lifted by Letterman appearance

It is rare, though not unheard of, for a rival late-night host to make an appearance on another’s show.

But that host is rarely David Letterman, the notoriously interview-adverse star of CBS’s “Late Show.”

So when Letterman stopped by ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” for his first-ever appearance on Wednesday, audiences took note.

“Kimmel” scored its most-watched Wednesday telecast in its 10-year history, drawing 2.36 million total viewers, according to Nielsen.

It also marked “Kimmel’s” most-watched episode among adults 18-49 since June, averaging 985,000, and his most-watched Wednesday episode in the demo in five years.

Kimmel, who has long idolized Letterman, was in New York City broadcasting from Brooklyn this week, facilitating the crossover. Letterman films his show in Manhattan, and he appeared on “Kimmel” still dressed in the suit and tie he wore while hosting his program earlier in the night.

Kimmel, who currently airs at 12:05 a.m., and Letterman will soon be squaring off in the 11:35 p.m. timeslot when Kimmel moves to the earlier slot in January.

Letterman offered his rival his blessing in an interview that included pictures of a childhood birthday of Kimmel’s, when his mother shaped his cake like the logo for NBC’s old Letterman show.
 

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