TVSquad

Have you noticed that Jimmy Kimmel Live has slowly but surely become a big force at ABC? It doesn't do Jay Leno numbers, but the ratings have increased in the past few months, the network has given him prime real estate on prime time during the NBA Finals, and there just seems to be a buzz about the show. ABC must have noticed too because they've extended Kimmel's contract through the 2010 season.

This is good news for Kimmel fans, as there has been much talk about what would happen to Kimmel if ABC were to grab Leno after Leno exits his show on NBC and Conan O'Brien takes over. Would Kimmel be pushed to 12:35 if Leno comes aboard, or even later if ABC also decided to keep Nightline? Of course, there's no word on whether or not this new contract guarantees Kimmel the 12:05am slot. Leno leaves his show in 2009.

I hope Kimmel stays around for a long time. I can't get into his musical guests, but he has the best monlogue on late night, in my opinion.