CBS moved quickly to replace David Letterman after the late-night host announced his retirement last week. Confirming speculation, Stephen Colbert, ofComedy Central's Colbert Report, will take over theLate Show sometime next year. Colbert, whose current contract expires at year end, signed a five-year deal to host the show, which will begin when Letterman decides to step down when his contract expires in August 2015, though he could choose to leave earlier next year. "Simply being a guest on David Letterman's show has been a highlight of my career," Colbert said in a statement. "I never dreamed that I would follow in his footsteps, though everyone in late night follows Dave's lead. I'm thrilled and grateful that CBS chose me. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go grind a gap in my front teeth." Colbert, 49, was an early favorite to succeed Letterman, 66, who last week announced plans to step down next year after a 33-year career in late night, including the last 11 on CBS, which he joined after losing to Jay Leno in his quest to replace another legend, Johnny Carson. Colbert introduced his mock-conservative blowhard persona as a correspondent on The Daily Show, with Stewart's predecessor Craig Kilborn. He got his own show (produced by Stewart) in 2005, which competes with Letterman at 11:30 ET/PT four nights a week but has a much higher concentration of the younger viewers that advertisers and networks seek. CBS isn't talking yet about location, producer or "specific creative elements" of the new show, but Colbert is extremely likely to shed that persona, which would be difficult to sustain in an hour-long network talk show. The Colbert Report will remain on the air through December, as the cable network seeks a replacement. "Comedy Central is proud that the incredibly talented Stephen Colbert has been part of our family for nearly two decades," a spokesman said in a statement. "We look forward to the next eight months of the ground-breaking Colbert Report and wish Stephen the very best." The Daily Show has spawned successful careers for several of its correspondents, including Steve Carell, Ed Helms and John Oliver, who filled in for Stewart last summer, was approached by CBS last fall but signed a deal with HBO for a weekly show, Last Week Tonight, that premieres April 27. Ironically, he would have been a logical candidate to replace Colbert but left, he says, because "there's no space" at Comedy Central, he said Monday. "They already have three shows back to back." "Stephen Colbert is one of the most inventive and respected forces on television," said CBS CEO Leslie Moonves. "David Letterman's legacy and accomplishments are an incredible source of pride for all of us here, and today's announcement speaks to our commitment of upholding what he established for CBS in late night." http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/...urce=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&dlvrit=206567 Good for Stephen, but the loss of the Colbert Report is a tragedy.
Like the article said, a John Oliver show would be a great replacement for Colbert but he's got something on HBO. I don't know if any of the correspondents on the Daily Show can carry their own show, but if they could it would be one of the veterans like Bee, Jones, or Mandvi. They might just take it out of the political show realm though and go somewhere completely different.
Colbert is a smart guy and very marketable. He's funny as hell too. But that show is going to be as different as is gets and maybe it will be way too political
It'll be interesting to see how Colbert morphs his persona at this point. The Colbert Report guy is not going to be the guy we see on the Late Show. He'll be a lot more schmoozy and a lot less political.
Even in his persona I enjoyed his interviews. He's going to be who he is, not the persona created. I expect him to be good at it
This is awful. Being on a late night network show will kill everything I love about Colbert. I also question how wise a career move it is. He's built his following based on that character. With how different he's going to have to be, the audience may not be receptive.
Excellent choice. He will be great. He's bringing all his writers with him from Colbert Report. Just because he does his show in character doesn't mean it's the only thing he's good for. I guess its safe to say he's far surpassed John Stewart.
You don't have any faith that he is talented enough to make this work? He went from a little known second fiddle to the daily show to a cult following and a guy who can chameleon into a persona that is wildly popular. Colbert is gonna end up ruling late night and he'll probably pass any success he had earlier with ligt speed.
Out of character, he is still a clever person with quick remarks. It will be a shock for people expecting Colbert character, but I agree he will do a great job.
He's versatile. Have you ever watched that series Strangers with Candy? He played a deadpan gay high school teacher and pulled it off really well. He will do a great job if he can just avoid doing a character.
It's not that I don't have faith in him or his talent, it's that I think he will be stifled on an network show. I'm afraid they will make him tone down too much. Jay Leno wasn't always so lame and I fear that happening to Colbert.
That's definitely a worry. I haven't watched much of CBS' late night combo in a while, but weren't Letterman and Ferguson known as the "edgiest" late night hosts who pushed the boundaries the most? Leno turned safer and safer, Kimmel and Fallon aren't aiming to be that type of host and Conan is on TBS so he's just kind of there.
It will be the first time I sit through that show in my life. Letterman was the most dull and vanilla host I've ever seen. I know a lot of America likes dull and vanilla, but I'm not one of them. Colbert is sharp, edgy, and will be a massive upgrade. I'm afraid the show will limit what he can do, considering what Comedy Central let him do, but I'm happy for Colbert, as he is moving up.
