Posted on 05/14/2002 7:34:15 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer
Edited on 04/13/2004 2:40:18 AM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
NEW YORK (AP) --
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
The half-hour show will bow in January, most likely in conjunction with ABC's broadcast of the Super Bowl. Kimmel will be on hand Wednesday when ABC unveils its 2002-03 lineup to advertisers in New York.
"Nightline" anchor Ted Koppel is also expected to appear onstage at the New Amsterdam Theater as ABC execs attempt to put behind them the controversy that erupted from the network's failed effort to replace the veteran newsman with CBS mainstay David Letterman (news - Y! TV).
Details of Kimmel's as-yet untitled talker are still sketchy, though it's expected to be heavy on comedy with some celeb guests. Jackhole Industries, the production banner Kimmel runs with "Man Show" co-host Adam Carolla and Daniel Kellison, will likely be involved.
Kimmel's hiring by ABC will mark the end of "The Man Show," the testosterone-soaked Comedy Central half-hour he hosts. It will continue to air original episodes for several more months, with Kimmel completing production on a final cycle of 24 episodes.
The first of those 24 will bow in August, with the remaining 14 slated to air during the first part of 2003. That means Kimmel will be seen on both ABC and Comedy Central for several months. Overall, 100 episodes of "Man Show" will have been produced since the skein's 1999 launch.
Kimmel's voice will also be heard on the upcoming Comedy Central animated laffer "Crank Yankers."
The decision to dump Maher is no surprise. A few weeks after ABC lost its bid for Letterman, Disney executives went to great lengths to publicize their support of Koppel and "Nightline." By contrast, executives remained mum whenever reporters asked about Maher and "PI."
Ratings for "PI" have been solid but never spectacular. And Maher lost some advertiser support after the Bush White House misinterpreted a remark Maher made about the U.S. military in the aftermath of Sept. 11.
Maher's contract expires in the fall. It's unclear when the final "PI" will air or how ABC may fill any gap between the demise of "PI" and the premiere of Kimmel's new series.
ABC had no comment on Tuesday's expected announcement. Representatives for "PI" producer Brad Gray Television didn't return calls. [End]
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