Question to NBC: are you sure you wanna replace Jay Leno?
The “Tonight Show” host claimed a strong May sweeps victory in just-released numbers, comfortably thumping 11:35 p.m. rivals David Letterman and Jimmy Kimmel in adults 18-49 — the timeslot’s key demo which is coveted by advertisers.
It’s Leno’s final May sweeps, at least on NBC, since he’ll be replaced on “Tonight” next February by current “Late Night” host Jimmy Fallon.
For the month, “Tonight” beat “Jimmy Kimmel Live” by nearly 275,000 viewers in the demo — and trounced “Late Show” by 325,000 viewers.
“Tonight” also claimed a resounding victory in total viewers, averaging 3.5 million for May, compared to 2.8 million for “Late Show” and 2.5 million for “JKL.”
Leno, in fact, beat his rivals in every demo for the month, including adults and men and women 18-34.
Fallon is scheduled to replace Leno during NBC’s coverage of the 2014 Winter Olympics.