Jimmy Kimmel Lives, on TV Guide Magazine

There have already been a ton of highlights in my early (just a year and a half so far!) tenure at TV Guide Magazine, from two Comic-Cons to two major, newsy Chuck Lorre/"Two and a Half Men" covers. But this ranks right up at the top: Our big cover package on late night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel. Jimmy, who's hosting the Emmy Awards on September 23, agreed to dress up as characters from all six of the Outstanding Drama Series Emmy nominees ("Mad Men," "Breaking Bad," "Downton Abbey," "Homeland," "Boardwalk Empire," "Game of Thrones"). Plus, I had the opportunity to spend a day at the "Jimmy Kimmel Live" studios on Hollywood and sit down with the host for a lengthy interview.

There was a ton to talk about. This has been an amazing year for Kimmel, who was tapped to host both the White House Correspondents Dinner and the Emmy Awards for starters. Then there was his big Oprah moment on his annual post-Oscars special. Just a few weeks ago he got engaged to his longtime girlfriend. And now, ABC has rewarded him with a timeslot upgrade (come January) to 11:35 p.m. This story was already in the works when he got the official greenlight for his promotion -- and it just solidified the reasons behind doing this story now.

All four covers are on stands now:



And you can read an extended version of my Q&A with Kimmel here.

Meanwhile, direct from the photo shoot, I also had a second opportunity to interview Kimmel, this time while he was dressed as "Breaking Bad's" Walter White. Watch a video of the photo shoot below:

Retro Friday: When Tom Cruise Went Crazy on 'Oprah'

"I'm in love," screams wacky, couch-jumping Tom Cruise on Oprah Winfrey's old talk show. No one really believed it then, and today comes word that yes, the Tom Cruise/Katie Holmes marriage is over. Twitter is presently overrun with "Kate's contract expired" jokes.

Los Angeles Gets Its "Oprah" Replacement: Dr. Oz

"The Oprah Winfrey Show" has dominated the 3 p.m. timeslot in Los Angeles for decades.

So if you're KABC/Channel 7, and your prized 3 p.m. star is about to quit (and move on to her own cable channel), what do you do?

Simple: You turn the reins over to one of Oprah's minions.

That's why KABC made such a strong play for "Dr. Oz." The syndicated strip, hosted by "Oprah Winfrey Show" regular Mehmet Oz, has been airing on Fox's KTTV/Channel 11 since it launched in Sept. 2009.

But with that deal set to expire, KABC swooped in and grabbed "Oz." That show will now move to KABC at 3 p.m. starting in fall 2011 -- right after Oprah signs off.

At KABC, "Dr. Oz" at least keeps Winfrey's Harpo Prods. -- which produces the medical-themed daily talk show for Sony -- alive in that slot.

No one "Oprah" successor has emerged, as the show airs in various time slots all over the country -- making it tough to pull off a group deal. In L.A., KABC has already aired news at 4 p.m. for decades, and wasn't expected to expand news even further back to 3 p.m. -- hence the necessity for the "Oz" acquisition.

"Oprah" Comes to Los Feliz's John Marshall High

As part of "No Phone Zone Day," Friday's live episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" will include segments from five "viewing parties" across the country, including here in Los Angeles. "Oprah" show correspondent Lisa Ling will host the L.A. segment at John Marshall High School, where "American Idol" winner Kris Allen and finalist Allison Iraheta will appear. (Oprah herself won't be in Los Angeles.)

Winfrey is joining with traffic safety organizations, law enforcement agencies, federal and state transportation and highway safety offices, advocacy groups and others to promote the national "No Phone Zone Day" -- which asks motorists to simply put down the phone when they're behind the wheel.

MIKE ON TV: Oprah's Long Farewell

Here I am on ABC's "Good Morning America" this morning, chatting about the news that you're going to be hearing about non-stop for the next two years: Oprah Winfrey's decision to end her daytime talkshow.

(Click the pic above, or click here: The End of an Era: Oprah to Sign Off in 2011.)

Retro Friday: Oprah Edition

Before the 1986 launch of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" into nationwide syndication, Winfrey hosted the local "A.M. Chicago" on WLS-TV in Chicago. Here she is in those "A.M. Chicago" days, interviewing John Denver.

Most disturbing note: She was doing that I'll-scream-my-guest's-name-in-a-shrill-sing-songy-way thing even back then. ("Johnnnn DEN-VERRRR!")

Of course, Oprah announced on Thursday her intention to leave the talk show in September 2011 to focus on her new cable network.