Move over Jimmy Kimmel. Jason Kelce is taking to late-night TV starting in January, but viewers will need to stay up past midnight to see his new show.
ESPN plans to tape the live-audience studio show, “They Call It Late Night with Jason Kelce,” on Fridays starting Jan. 3 through the end of the NFL playoffs — a five-week stretch that would serve as a test run for the retired All-Pro center and big brother to Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
The first four episodes will air at 1 a.m. ET starting Jan. 4 and re-air on ESPN2 and Kelce’s YouTube channels.
“I loved late-night shows, I’ve always loved them. I remember sleepovers watching Conan O’Brien with my friends. We’re going to have a bunch of guys up there — legends of the game, friends that I played with, coaches, celebrities,” Jason Kelce said Thursday night on an appearance with Kimmel.
Jason Kelce, 37, joined “Monday Night Countdown” on ESPN at the start of this season.
The show will be recorded in Philadelphia at Union Transfer with live music.
NFL Films’ first full-length film, “They Call It Pro Football,” had deep Philly roots. Philadelphia TV personality John Facenda became the voice of NFL Films and narrated that film, from which the title of Jason Kelce’s new show was created.
The Kelce brothers share a popular podcast and YouTube channels. Jason Kelce is not playing in the NFL for the first time since being drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the sixth round of the 2011 draft. The six-time All-Pro started all 193 games he played in the NFL.
