OT - Colbert officially named David Letterman's replacement

Submitted by JHendo on

CBS has finally announced who David Letterman's replacement will be when he steps down in 2015.  Stephen Colbert!   Not the most U of M centric news at the moment, but I'm sure there are few late night tv fans on here that were waiting to find out who the lucky person would be.  There is no set timetable just yet for when this transition will take place (waiting on Letterman to decide exactly when he's leaving), but apparently the contract inked is for 5 years.

I personally haven't watched late night talk shows since the whole Conan/Leno fiasco, and I never really cared for the Late Show, but now I just might be intrigued enough to tune in.

Link? Link.

chris16w

April 10th, 2014 at 2:11 PM ^

As a fan, I am disappointed. He'll likely be asked to follow the late show "format." Delivering a nightly monologue doesn't seem like the best use of his strengths. At the same time, maybe he's growing tired of acting in the same role nightly; I understand that going mainstream could be a professional step forward for him. 

Lou MacAdoo

April 10th, 2014 at 2:14 PM ^

I agree. His show on Comedy Central is one of a kind and will be missed, but I'm excited to watch him in a different setting and see his true personality. The guy is a very funny man and his interviews are always entertaining. I'm sure just like every other TV and radio persoality we will now get to read through twenty posts of how horrible he is at his job and how much torture it is to watch him.

denardogasm

April 10th, 2014 at 2:51 PM ^

This is going to come off as totally racist but i hope they give it to that black girl from the daily show so she can be off the show and i can just not watch her show. Irrespective of her race an gender, she is just not funny and i havent liked a single one of her sketches. I actually am afraid they might give it to that British guy from the daily show. He just couldnt hack it when he filled in for Jon Stewart.

LesMilesismyhero

April 10th, 2014 at 6:40 PM ^

I didn't think of Asif Mandvi, but that would be a strong choice.  I like the idea of Al Madrigal having his own show, you would get a couple of years out of him mocking the two parties pandering to the Hispanic vote (actually that could be a never ending supply).  Larry Wilmore and Wyatt Cenac could do well hosting their own shows.  The lazy choice would be John Hodgman just stepping in and doing a similar 1% angle.  They have lots of great choices and if Colbert is just going to do the same monologue 3 guest routine that Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon are already doing then he can enjoy his enormous checks without me watching that show.

Gobgoblue

April 10th, 2014 at 3:33 PM ^

His character would make no sense in a Late Night setting.  I don't think "Stephen Colbert" is dead, but he will be used minimally.  This is a professional move.  It would be tired if he kept the character.  If he can prove he can reinvent himself and do the whole late night thing with success, it will be amazing.  

Colbert is witty and charming.  He will do great on the new show.  He will be a comedy legend when his career is over.  

westwardwolverine

April 10th, 2014 at 2:12 PM ^

He'll be retiring his character and playing the Late Show as himself, so I consider this a giant loss for comedy. 

gord

April 10th, 2014 at 2:25 PM ^

Don't have a DVR?  The only thing I watch live anymore is sports and I sometimes start watching 30 minutes after the game starts so I can just fast forward through the commercials and halftime.  One of my favorite shows is Red Eye and that's on at 3am ET.

Darker Blue

April 10th, 2014 at 2:20 PM ^

Have any of you guys ever read "I am America, and So Can You?"

That almost book was funny as all get up. I love Colbert but I probably won't watch him on Network Television. I save those channels for sports. 

LSAClassOf2000

April 10th, 2014 at 2:30 PM ^

“I'm thrilled and grateful that CBS chose me,” Colbert said in a statement. “Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go grind a gap in my front teeth.”

According to a few articles, this is a five-year deal, but it doesn't look like any numbers are out yet. It will definitely be an interesting shift for the show, and I think Colbert (as himself) can give the show an edge. Indeed, he even got the endorsement of his Comedy Central competitor Jon Stewart:

“He is a uniquely talented individual,” the long-time “Daily Show” host told NY Magazine of the “Colbert Report” host. “He's wonderful in ‘Colbert Report,’ but he's got gears he hasn't even shown people yet. He would be remarkable.”

flashOverride

April 10th, 2014 at 2:34 PM ^

Per Rush Limbaugh, this hire is an assault on the Heartland of America. An interesting take, and in keeping with the site's rules, that's all I'll say...