Jimmy Kimmel: It "makes perfect sense" for NBC to replace Leno

Jimmy Kimmel on "Jimmy Kimmel Live." / ABC

The late-night wars rage on.

Everyone seems to be weighing in on Jay Leno's rumored departure from "The Tonight Show," including one of Leno's current top rivals, Jimmy Kimmel.

• "Tonight Show" reportedly moving to New York with Jimmy Fallon as host
• Good night, and good luck to Jay Leno?

In an interview Thursday with CNN's Jake Tapper, the host of ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live" says he isn't surprised by the recent New York Times report that revealed NBC's alleged plan to replace Leno, 62, with current "Late Night" host Jimmy Fallon, 38.

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"I mean, well, obviously, NBC is looking to move on, because they did it once already," Kimmel said in reference to Conan O'Brien's infamous seven-month stint at "The Tonight Show" before the network moved Leno back in again as host.

"This would be the second time that this has happened. So I mean, it makes perfect sense," Kimmel added, "And Jimmy Fallon is doing a great job. And he's very popular. And so, I mean, hey, eventually, it's going to happen one way or the other."

In January, ABC moved Kimmel's show to 11:35 p.m. in an effort to compete with Leno and CBS' David Letterman.

During their chat, Tapper asked if Kimmel thought NBC's decision to replace Leno had anything to do with his "Live" time slot move.

"God I hope so," Kimmel replied.

[Colt4542]

Well, if Fallon is on guess I'll be watching more episodes of "Gun Smoke".

[Rexaholic]

I heard State Run and Corrupt NBC despises Leno because he makes too many jokes about their savior Barack Hussein!!! Fallon, a big time lib will obey the bottom feeders demands at NBC!!

[taxchurches]

There you go, replace amazingly annoying Leno with incredibly boring Fallon. Who cares? If you've nothing better to do at that time of night, go to sleep.

[wfw3536]

Time to get rid of Jay and Letterman. Both are so old and out of touch with their humor, their time has passed them by. Kimmel will be the king of late night.

[bobnjersey]

[Time to get rid of Jay and Letterman. Both are so old and out of touch with their humor, their time has passed them by.]
-------------------------------------------
you do realize that they have writers and producers who often craft the content of these shows ... right?

[valanis]

Amen, Kimmel blows doors on these guys. Hey maybe Adam Corolla can take Lettersman place. Late night would nver be the same.

[baileycccc]

What a sad array of wannabe's, Carson will never have an equal.

[justme-123]

Well, with Steve Allen, Jack Paar and Johnny Carson all deceased, I vote for Kimmel. I enjoy his work much more than Fallon's. Be nice to have Arsenio back too.

[stuwerb]

The only way to get rid of Leno is to send him off a cliff. We've seen already that simply replacing him with someone else is only going to be a temporary situation.

[havefun11]

Once Jay is gone, Jimmy Kimmel will be the king of late night. He's the only young host who has a show for grownups.