The decision to exercise an early extension comes as Jimmy Kimmel has received positive attention for his “Jimmy Kimmel Live Game Night” series of post-NBA Finals specials, which included a now-famous fist bump Sunday with presidential candidate Barack Obama. Rival candidate John McCain was scheduled to appear on Kimmel’s show following Tuesday’s NBA game.

Those “Game Night” specials have averaged 3 million viewers, giving the show a bit more exposure than its usual aud.

Kimmel also scored quite a bit of attention earlier this year thanks to the show’s “I’m F***ing Matt Damon” video short, featuring Kimmel girlfriend Sarah Silverman — and his response, “I’m F***ing Ben Affleck.”

Like all latenight talkers, “Kimmel” took a ratings hit this season — blamed on the writers strike. But “Kimmel” took less of a hit than his rivals. Show averaged 1.7 million viewers in the just-completed TV season, down just 4% from the year before (1.8 million). All other latenight talkers suffered double-digit declines.

Also, “Kimmel” beat CBS’ “The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson” for the first time in viewers (by a slim margin — 1.727 million vs. 1.725 million) and came within 184,000 viewers of NBC’s “Late Night With Conan O’Brien (1.727 million vs. 1.911 million).

Kimmel and Jill Leiderman exec produce “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” which comes from Jackhole Industries and ABC Studios. Talker bowed in January 2003.

Source

WENN

Comedienne Sarah Silverman has vowed never to marry her longtime boyfriend Jimmy Kimmel, because their relationship is perfect as it is.

The 27-year-old has been romantically involved with Kimmel, host of Jimmy Kimmel Live, since 2002 – but she insists she has no plans to wed any time soon.

She tells People.com, “I’ll be honest, we have it good. I don’t want the government involved in our love. When my friends get married I think it’s romantic, I cry, whatever. But it’s not for me.”

However, Silverman hasn’t ruled out having children: “I might adopt, but we’re going to wait. If you’re going to have kids, you need to have time to give them undivided attention.”

Source

WENN

Jimmy Kimmel walking along Hollywood Boulevard on his way back to El Capitan Theater after having a late lunch at Kung Pao Kitty Asian Eatery with friends in L.A., yesterday.

WENN

I don’t know how many of you caught Sarah Silverman’s video, “I’m F’ng Matt Damon” but it was absolutely hilarious. (If you haven’t watched it, go here!)

Well, Jimmy Kimmel has responded with “I’m F’ng Ben Affleck”.

It’s hilarious! Enjoy!