Fred Willard finds late-night TV murder on ABC’s ‘Castle’ but says parody not offensive

Willard finds late-night TV murder on ‘Castle’

LOS ANGELES — Fred Willard says he enjoyed playing a fictional talk show host’s sidekick on ABC’s “Castle.” But he briefly pondered whether the episode might irk any real late-night hosts.

In Monday’s episode (10 p.m. EDT), a TV host is killed and those under suspicion include a younger man who’s angling for his job. Tom Bergeron of “Dancing with the Stars” plays the veteran, Bobby Mann, with Bill Bellamy as the contender.

Willard says the situation, although exaggerated, brings to mind the Jay Leno-Conan O’Brien late-night flap on NBC.

But Willard decided the parody wouldn’t be considered offensive by either Leno or O’Brien. Besides, he added, “everything bounces off Jay.”

Willard also will be guest starring in April on ABC’s “Modern Family” and NBC’s “Chuck.”