Jimmy Kimmel Jay Leno, At the Television Critics Association meeting here, McPherson said more could be done to connect prime-time talent booking on Kimmel.

“It’s really important we tie Jimmy to ABC, to our shows,” he said. “It’s really nice when we have that “Dancing [with the Stars"] connection with those people going on his show. Now that we have comedy [on] Wednesday. his comedy brand could be part of that as well.”

With the success of ABC’s three comedies on Wednesday — “The Middle,” “Modern Family” and “Cougar Town” — McPherson says booking more comedy talent on the late-night comedy talker “Jimmy Kimmel Live” show makes sense.

He also announced that those three shows have been renewed for a second season. ABC made the bold move a year ago to launch five new shows on the night, three of which have been successful.