ABC ANNOUNCES THE THIRD SEASON PICK-UP OF "JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE," THE POPULAR LATE-NIGHT TALK SHOW, THROUGH THE 2005 SEASON

The ABC Television Network announced that it has renewed the late-night talk show, "Jimmy Kimmel Live," featuring host Jimmy Kimmel, through 2005. "Jimmy Kimmel Live" has featured such high profile guests as Britney Spears, Jennifer Garner, Ashton Kutcher, Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Shaquille O'Neal, Clay Aiken, Serena Williams, Billy Bob Thornton, Angela Bassett, Josh Hartnett, Jamie Foxx, Lindsay Lohan, Quentin Tarantino and Usher since its premiere on Super Bowl Sunday, January 26, 2003.

"I'm delighted that ABC has exhausted all other options and picked up mine for another year," said Kimmel. "In 2006 I'll be 38 years old, and I promised Mavis I would take her out for dinner before I turned 40."

"We're thrilled that Jimmy will continue to be a part of the ABC family," said Andrea Wong, executive vice president, Alternative Programming, Specials and Late-Night, ABC Entertainment. "We think he's a great talent who has brought us an innovative show that we know he will only make stronger and stronger."

The show has also become late-night's premiere haven for music fans. According to RollingStone.com, "...'Jimmy Kimmel Live' has become a favorite destination for bands seeking to flog their latest wares." Popular musical acts, including 50 Cent, Linkin Park, Marilyn Manson, Korn, Disturbed, Polyphonic Spree, Keane, Snow Patrol, The Distillers, Simple Plan, Taking Back Sunday, The Killers and DMX, have all chosen to make their network television debut on "Jimmy Kimmel Live."

"Jimmy Kimmel Live" is taped later in the day than other late-night shows - at 8:00 p.m., PT. This allows the show to respond to the news of the day more quickly than the competition. Kimmel applies his irreverent wit to politics, television, the media, the FCC, popular culture - everything is a target. A weekly comedy segment entitled "Unnecessary Censorship" pokes fun at the FCC's crackdown on the media by unnecessarily censoring clips from TV news, political speeches, reality TV and nature shows. Other regular comedy segments include Cousin Sal's hidden camera pranks and adorably clueless Uncle Frank's coverage of red-carpet premieres.

Kimmel will serve as host for ABC's telecast of the American Music Awards on November 14.

Jimmy Kimmel serves as executive producer, Jason Schrift as co-executive producer and Duncan Gray is the ABC executive in charge of production. "Jimmy Kimmel Live" is shot live in front of a studio audience and produced by Jackhole Industries in association with Touchstone Television.