DeMaio tabbed as new 'Kimmel' director

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LOS ANGELES, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- Joe DeMaio is set to take over as director of Hollywood TV talk show "Jimmy Kimmel Live," replacing Bobcat Goldthwait.

DeMaio, who previously worked with both CBS and MTV, will now head up the ABC late-night program after Goldthwait gave up his directorial duties to focus on his film career in May, Daily Variety said.

"Joe is extremely competent and creative and, most importantly, he didn't creep us out," host Jimmy Kimmel said.

When he was with MTV, DeMaio helped produce several musical programs, including the "MTV Movie Awards" ceremony in 2004, before moving on to helm three live Garth Brooks specials for the CBS network, the report said.

Variety said "Kimmel" has increased its TV audience by 6 percent since last year, giving it an average of 1.64 million viewers.