Jimmy Kimmel wins post-Oscar slot

Jimmy Kimmel is getting another boost from ABC - this time with a special edition of Jimmy Kimmel Live to appear immediately following the Academy Awards in February. Kimmel's outing in the same slot last year raised his overall ratings substantially. While late night is still very much a two-man race between Letterman and Leno, ABC is 100% behind Kimmel, who they've also signed to host upcoming game show outing Set for Life.

Maybe Kimmel can jump networks when Conan takes Leno's slot in 2009. He's got a great team of alternative comedy writers that include the very funny Morgan Murphy, and he's stolen Conan's indie credibility in respect to musical guests having snagged artists like MIA and Lily Allen when they were still just gleams in Stereogum's eye. ABC is smart to stick with Kimmel. I think he's underrated, or maybe I'm just saying that because he dates Sarah Silverman.