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Stephen Colbert to replace David Letterman for CBS

Stephen Colbert will replace David Letterman in 2015, but not with his Comedy Central persona.

2014-04-11_1058That didn’t take long…

CBS has named Stephen Colbert to replace David Letterman on The Late Show, but not with his Comedy Central persona.

“Stephen Colbert is one of the most inventive and respected forces on television,” CBS Chairman and CEO Les Moonves said in a statement. “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.”

Colbert, who signed a five-year deal, said in a statement: “Simply being a guest on David Letterman’s show has been a highlight of my career. 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.”

David Letterman commented: “Stephen has always been a real friend to me. I’m very excited for him, and I’m flattered that CBS chose him. I also happen to know they wanted another guy with glasses.”

Via Twitter Hollywood reacted to the news:

Jimmy Kimmel: Congratulations to @StephenAtHome #StephenColbert – a finer or funnier man I do not know.

Jimmy Fallon I’d like to welcome the great @StephenAtHome to network late night and also congratulate him on his new name: Jimmy Colbert.

Craig Ferguson: Congratulations to the hugely talented and fragrant and lovely @StephenAtHome on the new gig. Welcome to the CBS funhouse.

Neil Patrick Harris: I’m thrilled for @StephenatHome replacing Dave. He’s a fantastic choice. I’m a huge fan. Colbert is rad.

Jon Cryer: Finally! A minority is gonna be represented in late night! Catholic Elvish speakers everywhere rejoice!!

Judd Apatow: Congrats @StephenAtHome ! The world rejoices!

Ryan Seacrest: Can’t wait to get to know the real Stephen Colbert. Congrats @StephenAtHome

Meanwhile Comedy Central, which has aired The Colbert Report since 2005, said in a statement,: “Comedy Central is proud that the incredibly talented Stephen Colbert as 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.”

A premiere date for Colbert will be announced after Letterman determines his final broadcast.

No decision has been made on where the show will be based amid reports Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has been trying to lure the NYC show west.

Source: CBS, The Hollywood Reporter

16 Responses

  1. Personally, this is terrible news as most Colbert Report fans will agree. But for him, it must be the best news. He must be very tired? Those 30 minute, four-day-a-week CR episodes look like there’s a lot of preparation & energy that goes into them. However, on the other hand, these Network TV late-night talk shows look like they require very little preparation, with the host turning up five minutes before ‘taping.’ Can’t blame him for wanting to coast it for a while…

  2. If Channel Ten will still play this then I look forward to seeing Stephen Colbert back on FTA. I loved him when the ABC had him and the Daily Show on. It’ll be interesting to see what he’ll be like. I look forward to the monologues.

    I sympathise with those that’ll miss his other show. I know I did. I’m glad Ferguson is staying where he is. Because I think it suits him. I wonder if Ten will try to be predictable if they have it. Because I know Letterman was all over the place. Although I’m not as interested in these types of shows. Except occasionally. So I can’t say what they are up to right now.

  3. I must say I can’t see what people see in US-style late night shows. I generally don’t find them entertaining at all. Craig Ferguson can be funny, but after watching him I’m still left thinking he would be more entertaining hosting a different type of show.

    The Colbert Report is an amazing piece of television, and what’s even more amazing is that there are four episodes of it every week.

    If anyone can produce entertaining television four-five nights a week, it’s Colbert and his team. Whether they can do it for an hour five nights week – and presumably with less serious material – remains to be seen however.

  4. I am a huge fan of Stephen Colbert and I’m happy for him, but this is terrible! One of the main reasons Colbert is so great is his irreverence and sharp, political wit. He is going to be wasted on a talk show, asking inane questions to actors who just want to plug their movies.

  5. I’m sad that Craig Ferguson didn’t get the job, but at least happy that he will still be on the air.

    As for The Late Show, no one can replace Dave, but Colbert is experienced and probably closer in style to Letterman than Ferguson is.

  6. I find it weird the news has been announced so quickly, we heard Ferguson didn’t want the gig, makes me wonder if he was in the running and how long things have been going on before the big announcement last week.

    Will be interesting if the show moves to LA with The Tonight Show now taping in NYC.

  7. I was devastated that David Letterman announced his retirement – easily the best his genre has ever seen, and likely ever will. Now I am devastated that this signals the end of The Colbert Report. The pay off of course being that we continue to see Colbert in CBS’s flagship program – hopefully without the faux-conservative act he puts on for his Comedy Central show.

  8. I thought CBS would already have a plan in place. I’m glad for Stephen Colbert, who seems like an awesome guy, I’m sad to lose The Colbert Report. Hopefully Ten will show the new Late Show on one of their channels. And hopefully Chelsea Handler (or anyone else) is not replacing Craig Ferguson.

  9. I’m a huge Stephen Colbert fan and am devastated this means the end of The Colbert Report and his right wing pundit persona. Good for him being able to finish it on a high though! I’m sure he’ll do a great job and create something unique.

  10. Also I bet Comedy Central is now kicking themselves about letting John Oliver go over to HBO to do a political comedy / news show. He’s the only one they could have got to replace the Colbert Show with.

  11. Brilliant choice..I love him and Jon Stewart.I just read that the extreme right wing radio commentator Rush Limbaugh is fuming at the deal, saying it’s a slap in the face to America’s heartland.

  12. This is terrible news wrapped in great news! Colbert Report is my most favourite show….ever. I was even in Stephen’s audience earlier this year! Ah well, at least he’ll go out on a high with the Colbert Report over at Comedy Central and then start fresh at CBS. He’s probably the best choice for the gig…. unfortunately!

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