JIMMY KIMMEL - KIMMEL RACES BACK FOR RICKLES TRIBUTE

Late night U.S. talk show host JIMMY KIMMEL raced back from his recent appendectomy - so he could pay a TV tribute to his hero DON RICKLES. Kimmel had his appendix removed last week (ends22Jun07) but was back behind his desk last night (26Jun07) for a show dedicated to comedy legend Rickles. The TV host says, "I wouldn't have missed this for the world. Rickles is a great man." Rickles' Jimmy Kimmel Live honour featured a performance from jazz singer Keely Smith and a surprise from another comedy legend, Bob Newhart, who appeared from the audience to continue a long-standing comedic skit between himself and Rickles that began on The Jack Paar Show.