Colbert to replace Letterman on the Late Show

[Valigarmander]

http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/04/10/steph ... letterman/

It’s official: Stephen Colbert will replace David Letterman as CBS’ Late Show host.

The broadcast network has tapped the 49-year-old Comedy Central host to take over the late-night franchise.

CBS has made a five-year deal with Colbert, which was announced Thursday by CBS Corp. CEO Les Moonves and CBS Entertainment chairman Nina Tassler.

“Stephen Colbert is one of the most inventive and respected forces on television,” Moonves said. “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.”

Letterman, the longest-serving late-night TV host, announced his retirement on April 3. Colbert’s premiere date will be announced after Letterman determines a timetable for his final broadcast in 2015.“Stephen is a multi-talented and respected host, writer, producer, satirist and comedian who blazes a trail of thought-provoking conversation, humor and innovation with everything he touches,” Tassler added. ”He is a presence on every stage, with interests and notable accomplishments across a wide spectrum of entertainment, politics, publishing and music. We welcome Stephen to CBS with great pride and excitement, and look forward to introducing him to our network television viewers in late night.”

“Simply being a guest on David Letterman’s show has been a highlight of my career,” Colbert said. “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.”

Sources say Colbert informed his Colbert Report staff a couple hours ago and that he told his team they’re all going to work on his CBS show.

Comedy Central released this statement: “Comedy Central is proud that the incredibly talented Stephen Colbert has been part of our family for nearly two decades. We look forward to the next eight months of the ground-breaking Colbert Report and wish Stephen the very best.”

Colbert is expected to shed his ultra-conservative Colbert Report character for Late Show, which leads to perhaps the biggest question mark surrounding his hiring. Though he’s been going through the broad motions of being a late-night host since 2005, he hasn’t been “himself” on the air — so what does that look and feel like, exactly?

Colbert’s fellow Comedy Central host Jon Stewart assured Vulture: “He’s got a lot more he can show. He’s got some skill sets that are really applicable, interviewing-wise, but also he’s a really, really good actor and also an excellent improvisational comedian. He’s also got great writing skills. He’s got a lot of the different capacities. Being able to expand upon [those] would be exciting.”

The announcement brings a surprisingly quick and efficient close to the speculation about who will replace Letterman, especially when compared to some of the agonized drama that’s typified NBC’s late-night upheavals over the years. Some maintained that CBS should break up the white-male late-night club by hiring a woman or a person of color to fill the Late Show post. Yet Colbert was quickly the odds-on favorite for the post — quite literally, as an online sportsbook gave the Comedy Central 3:1 odds at taking over the coveted gig.

Neato.

[LOOT]

Him and Fallon on the most popular late night shows

this is gonna be fun

[Marilink]

Cool! The only downside is that The Colbert Report will be no more, but Stephen will be a fantastic late night host. I'm interested to see what he is like out-of-character.

[I am nobody]

My first reaction to this was to think that CBS didn't notice the 0 in April 10th. Totally unexpected, but interesting.

[X-3]

Weird.

[United Nations]

Oooh, I think that's a great idea! I'd love to see what he's like when he's not on the Colbert Report. Cool stuff. :)

[Calamity Panfan]

I really like where late night shows are going right now. You've got Fallon/Myers on NBC, Colbert/Ferguson on CBS, Kimmel on ABC, Conan/Pete Holmes on TBS. After so many years of Leno/Letterman late night talk shows are really starting to seem a lot more relevant than they have been in a while. I think the rise of Jimmy Fallon from "that guy who laughs at his own jokes on SNL" to "hip, trendy talk show host" is evidence of this. I hope Comedy Central can find a good satire talk-show to take the place of the Report though.

I like where this is going. It'll be interesting to see how competitive he and Fallon will get because it seems like they're friends, though. Especially because they seem to have a very similar style: they're both comedians that generally seem like "nice guys", both are really popular with younger demographics, and I could see Stephen's show do very similar things as Jimmy's. Though I think being the host of a political show, even a satirical one, will give Colbert an edge when it comes to interviews.

also i really hope this means that comedy central gives John Oliver a nightly show to replace Colbert. He did a really good job on The Daily Show so I see it working out well.

[CaptHayfever]

Colbert/Ferguson could turn out to be the weirdest & most amazing thing to happen to CBS in decades.

And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

[Calamity Panfan]

^ Yeah, though I believe Ferguson's contract is up soon so it'll be interesting to see if he stays longer. Seeing that he took the news that Stephen got the job seemingly well, he may stay. I believe he gets a nice bonus for getting passed up for the job, though.

also i love how this news is happening like only a week after the #CancelColbert thing.

[I am nobody]

[QUOTE="metal boxes METAL BOXES, post: 1456674, member: 29448"]
also i really hope this means that comedy central gives John Oliver a nightly show to replace Colbert. He did a really good job on The Daily Show so I see it working out well.[/QUOTE]

So much this. He's one of the best parts of that show.

[CaptHayfever]

[QUOTE="metal boxes METAL BOXES, post: 1456723, member: 29448"] Seeing that he took the news that Stephen got the job seemingly well, he may stay.[/QUOTE] Craig has repeatedly implied that he never wanted the earlier slot, since it would cramp his style.

And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

[Calamity Panfan]

^^ Though I just learned today that John Oliver has an HBO show now so I dunno how that will pan out. I've heard maybe Comedy Central might bump @midnight to 11:30 or something but I'd really like an hour of political comedy/satire and then unwind with @midnight antics. Maybe they could promote one of the current Daily Show correspondents if Oliver stays with HBO? I dunno who they would pick though. Maybe Aasif Mandvi? If not I could see them maybe trying to get someone from the podcast circuit to go for it. Might not be a political show, but I could see them bringing a guy like Paul F. Tompkins or Doug Benson for a talk show in general.

Also speaking of @midnight, I think Chris Hardwick would be a good primetime network talk show host. Dude seems to be one of the hardest working guys in showbiz. He has a very popular podcast, does a Nightly game show, weekly Talking Dead, does stand-up, and does other appearances on shows, conventions, etc. He's a solid comedian as shown from his stand-up/podcast/twitter/shows, musical/skit background with Hard n Phirm, and he's already got tons of experience with interviewing too.

^ Makes sense. Ferguson's style is much better suited for a later night host (similar to Conan), while a guy like Colbert has a wider appeal for an earlier slot. I really hope that Ferguson renews his contract, though. I heard that CBS is in talks with Chelsea Handler for a show, and I would much prefer more Ferguson to Handler.

[Kargath]

It'll be weird to have Colbert break character.

[glux]

I'd be willing to bet he doesn't change too much.

[Calamity Panfan]

I guess CBS will be looking for a host for their other late night show now.

[CaptHayfever]

:(

And remember, "It's-a NOT a great day for America."

[Deepfake]

I have very strong feelings about this. That is, I'm incredibly certain that I am all kinds of unconcerned about it.