Stephen Colbert to Replace David Letterman on The Late Show

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Serenity

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The CBS Television Network today announced that Stephen Colbert, the host, writer and executive producer of the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning “The Colbert Report,” will succeed David Letterman as the host of THE LATE SHOW, effective when Mr. Letterman retires from the broadcast. The five-year agreement between CBS and Colbert was announced by Leslie Moonves, President and CEO, CBS Corporation, and Nina Tassler, Chairman of CBS Entertainment.

Letterman, the legendary, critically acclaimed host of the CBS late night series for 21 years, announced his retirement on his April 3 broadcast. Colbert’s premiere date as host of THE LATE SHOW will be announced after Mr. Lettermen determines a timetable for his final broadcasts in 2015.

Specific creative elements, as well as the producers and the location for the Colbert-hosted LATE SHOW, will be determined and announced at a later date.
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Stephen Colbert Named New 'Late Show' Host After David Letterman Retires

Wow. I wonder what's next with The Colbert Report?

**
Edit: Looks like The Colbert Report will likely be cancelled.

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.
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http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/04/10/stephen-colbert-letterman/
 
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I dunno. Seems...ill-advised to me. Colbert's popularity is due in no small part to his schtick as a faux arch-conservative commentator. Prior to that it was his schtick as a faux reporter/commentator. Kinda like Bill O'Reilly working on Hardcopy and then moving to Fox. I don't think Colbert has done enough other stuff to get him away from his "identity" in that sense, and continuing some form of that on the Late Show doesn't seem like it'd fit with their audience.
 
Solo4114 said:
I dunno. Seems...ill-advised to me. Colbert's popularity is due in no small part to his schtick as a faux arch-conservative commentator. Prior to that it was his schtick as a faux reporter/commentator. Kinda like Bill O'Reilly working on Hardcopy and then moving to Fox. I don't think Colbert has done enough other stuff to get him away from his "identity" in that sense, and continuing some form of that on the Late Show doesn't seem like it'd fit with their audience.
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Not to get political but they are both lean the same way, so I don't know if it would be too far off...
 
The Dark One said:
I was holding out for Craig Ferguson. I never bought into Colbert hype.


If I understand you right; I think you misunderstood him and the difference of his character. Stephen Colbert - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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I won't post beyond this because it will get political, but my understanding is that both guys (in real life) are hard left so I wouldn't see it as a big change for the Late Show audience who is already used to that from Letterman.
 
Art,

In terms of his personal politics, yeah, I get what you're saying. But Dave's schtick didn't really have much of a political edge, from what I recall. I wasn't a regular viewer, but it struck me more as just straight-up funny bits, not really tinged with anything political one way or the other.

Colbert, on the other hand, is fundamentally a political comedian and media satirist. That's kind of a niche audience and a niche style of humor. He's popular, sure, but the focus of his humor is much more narrow than what Dave did and what a late night talkshow hosting gig seems to require.

It strikes me that CBS is doing what a lot of Hollywood film studios are doing: they bought a brand (Stephen Colbert) and assume that the brand alone will sell the product. But bringing him to the late night format a la Dave is risky, as I see it.

He's either going to have to change his style to that of a late night host (in which case, you undermine the value of the brand for long-time Colbert fans who'll say stuff like "Aw, man,he was funnier when he did political stuff.") or he'll transport his schtick over to the Late Show (in which case, you undermine the brand of the Late Show which isn't known for being political).

The same way I wouldn't tap Colbert to do this, I wouldn't tap, say, Bill Mahrer or Jon Stewart. CBS (I suspect) wants to broaden its audience, but Colbert doesn't strike me as the guy to do that, at least not out of the gate. He might end up working out just fine, and transitioning perfectly easily into the non-schtick-based role of a late night host. I never would've expected that Jimmy Fallon could do it (although that was more because he struck me as annoying), but he's proven me wrong. But with Colbert?

It just seems like some old guys in suits were sitting around talking about how they need to grab more of the youth market, and hey, this Colbert guy is dominating in the 18-34 bracket or whatever. It'd be like if some film exec decided to do a film based on the M.A.S.K. toyline (except not, because all you need is the name), since "80s toy property films are hot these days."
 
Solo4114 said:
It just seems like some old guys in suits were sitting around talking about how they need to grab more of the youth market, and hey, this Colbert guy is dominating in the 18-34 bracket or whatever. It'd be like if some film exec decided to do a film based on the M.A.S.K. toyline (except not, because all you need is the name), since "80s toy property films are hot these days."
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It does very much seem like that. It's been what? A week since he announced he's retiring? Kind of quick to fill the spot when the next guy won't take over for another year or so. Take your time, do your homework, try out some people behind the scenes.

I was hoping for Ferguson, too. I rarely get to see it since it doesn't air til midnight here, but everytime i've seen it he's been awesome. The only other 'contender' i could think of was Conan. Dave's got big shoes to fill and not just anyone can do it IMO. Transition a guy from a schtik based format doesn't seem like a guaranteed hit. Then again, if you believe their advertising, everything on CBS is a hit :)
 
Well, it's not like Colbert has never done anything but the Report/Daily Show. He was a writer for Saturday Night Live for years, and he's been involved in a bunch of other comedy shows as well (Dana Carvey show, Strangers with Candy, Harvey Birdman, etc).
 
Personally I can't see it but who knows. I'll miss him on the Colbert Report but I guarantee you they'll do something with his timeslot. Another Daily Show alumni I'm sure.
 
cboath said:
It does very much seem like that. It's been what? A week since he announced he's retiring? Kind of quick to fill the spot when the next guy won't take over for another year or so. Take your time, do your homework, try out some people behind the scenes.
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CBS has wanted Colbert since 2012, 18 months seems like enough time to make sure they're filling the spot with the guy they really want. They also were letting Letterman stay as long as he wanted rather than shove him out like NBC did to Leno twice. Apparently there was a handshake deal with Colbert for when Letterman decided to retire, and there'd been some talks between Letterman and Colbert prior to the announcement. Letterman's given his approval to Colbert taking over.
 
Apollo said:
You can't replace Dave PERIOD.

Just start a new show
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To be truly honest? I rarely find Dave funny and Paul repeating his punchlines got old about 30 years ago. The most I'd catch of his show was the last minute or two leading into the real funny guy of the night, Craig Ferguson.

You could have said the same about replacing Carson, but they did, and it was still successful.
 
Nah, Colbert can do it, and he'll be awesome. He got famous for the political stuff via the Report and Daily Show, but he's been in a ton of other stuff and a writer on many shows.
 
Oh imo Dave should have retired in the late 90's that was when I could'nt even watch the show anymore, it got so bad.

As for Carson Leno never filled his shoes, not for one second, but then the Tonight show was not designed to be his from the start

Michael Bergeron said:
To be truly honest? I rarely find Dave funny and Paul repeating his punchlines got old about 30 years ago. The most I'd catch of his show was the last minute or two leading into the real funny guy of the night, Craig Ferguson.

You could have said the same about replacing Carson, but they did, and it was still successful.
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Apollo said:
As for Carson Leno never filled his shoes, not for one second, but then the Tonight show was not designed to be his from the start
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Oh, I don't deny that Leno wasn't anywhere near the calibre of Carson. However it can't be denied that the Tonight Show continued to be successful after he took over, and seems to be with Fallon (Despite them both being pablum in my opinion. I gave up on the major Late Night brands YEARS ago).
 
At least with Letterman gone the show will be fun. I never found him anything but a pompous ass. Leno was okay but you can't beat Carson. I wish they'd put the old Carson Tonight show out on dvd in sets instead of the 20.00 a disc crap (just like they do with Carol Bernett and Dean martin) so i could buy it. All the good stuff they sell per disc. I think Colbert will bring something fresh to the late night scene. Especially if he keeps the Colbert character he uses on comedy central.
 
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