Jimmy Kimmel Will Not Run a New Episode Opposite David Letterman's Final Show

— -- Jimmy Kimmel will not air a new episode opposite David Letterman's "Late Show" finale.

Instead, ABC will broadcast a repeat of "Jimmy Kimmel Live."

"I have too much respect for Dave to do anything that would distract viewers from watching his final show," Kimmel told the New York Times. "Plus, I’ll probably be crying all day, which makes it hard to work."

Letterman, who launched the show in 1993, will step down after the May 20 episode. Stephen Colbert will assume the role this fall.

"I know of other things that are being worked on. My only concern is mine. What will I do? And I now know exactly what I will do," Letterman told The New York Times last month of his finale. "And I want it to be upbeat, and I want it to be funny, and I want people to be happy that they spent the time to watch it."

NBC confirmed that Jimmy Fallon will air a new episode of "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" opposite Letterman's goodbye. The New York Times reported that TBS will also broadcast a new episode of Conan O'Brien's "Conan" that night, too.