David Muir, a Lifelong News Enthusiast

— -- David Muir knew he wanted to be a journalist as a boy.

The anchor of ABC's “World News Tonight with David Muir” watched the nightly news whenever he could, studying icons such as Peter Jennings. He also wrote a letter to Ron Curtis, an anchor in his native Syracuse, asking how to become a TV journalist.

“Competition in television news is keen,” Curtis wrote. "There's always room for the right person. It could be you."

Muir recounted that story Tuesday on “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” discussing his lifelong news passion and goals for “World News Tonight.” He succeeded Diane Sawyer as the program’s anchor and managing editor earlier this month.

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Muir is the youngest nightly news anchor in the country.

“He’s 12 years old,” Kimmel joked, later showing a childhood photo of Muir sitting at the anchor’s desk.

Muir -- he’s 40 -- approached the stage carrying two Maglite flashlights, handing them to Kimmel and sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez. Muir recently profiled Maglite for his program’s “Made in America” series.

While Muir said he’s honored to anchor “World News Tonight,” he also wants to take the show on the road.

“People would wonder, if I just sit behind the desk, what had happened to me,” Muir said. “They’ve been watching me report all these years.”

“Isn't the goal that, when you get behind the desk to stay behind the desk?” Kimmel asked, sitting behind his own desk.

Muir said he was initially excited to travel to California.

“I was psyched to come out here, and then I got here and it’s 105 degrees,” he told Kimmel.

The episode also featured appearances by comedians Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele, and music by Fall Out Boy.