Stephen Colbert to Replace David Letterman on 'Late Show'

[Hissyspit]

Source: CBS News

Stephen Colbert to replace David Letterman on "Late Show"

LAUREN MORASKI /CBS NEWS
Apr 10, 2014 12:06 PM EDT

CBS didn't waste too much time finding a new host for the "Late Show." Exactly a week after David Letterman announced his plans to retire, his replacement has been named.

Stephen Colbert, the host, writer and executive producer of "The Colbert Report," will succeed Letterman.

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

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/stephen-colbert-to-replace-david-letterman-on-late-show/

[pangaia]

1. My, My.

I guess CBS can't be all bad, eh.
Thanks for posting...

[onehandle]

2. Wow! The GOP will be happy. 50% of the voice of progressive youth politics is history.

No way will he be as effective on a real talk show.

[lark]

22. Don't despair

Maybe they will get someone else to continue the tradition. The guy that covered for Jon Stewart for months, Oliver something or another, think he would be good there.

[cui bono]

40. John Oliver

He left The Daily Show to do his own show, so they'll probably put it in Colbert's time slot. I heard it was going to be a political comedy show as well.

[thelordofhell]

52. John Oliver is with HBO now

Not Comedy Central

[cui bono]

53. Oh! Well there goes that idea. n/t

[DocMac]

86. Samantha Bee would do well.

[LynneSin]

44. Because Viacom owns both CBS and Comedy Central...

I suspect that at least in the beginning, Comedy Central isn't going to replace Colbert since they know all the former Colbert Report fans are now going to go over to CBS to watch Colber there.

Oliver has a show on HBO so he is out. Comedy Central would be best serve to put reruns of a TV show in that 11:30 timeslot and call it a wash.

[tclambert]

67. Bring back Battlebots!

'Cause who doesn't like some excessive robot violence?

[Codeine]

138. The box is locked, the lights are on,

it's Robot Fightin' Time!!

[calimary]

50. Hey, what if he rebrands that late night show in his own image?

Colbert goes mainstream! I doubt it'll be the exact same cookie-cutter format. They'll want to be competitive and they have a known brand in Colbert.

David Letterman took all his "intellectual property" with him to CBS when he left NBC. I remember when that happened and it was such big entertainment news (which was my beat back then), and there was SO much speculation - will NBC dig its heels in and not let him do the "Top 10 List" or the other stuff because NBC would claim it as "intellectual property"? Well, that didn't happen as we all know. Dave just brought the whole thing over to his new network and that was that.

Don't know if that'll happen here, though. I just saw on CNN that he's gonna do something different. But he's got such a known and established brand! I can't imagine they'd wanna fuck with it too much. THAT, after all, is what made him appealing enough to want to slot in when Dave leaves.

But then again, networks have been known to do stupid things.

[jeff47]

94. CBS and Comedy Central are owned by the same company

So we shouldn't expect any intellectual property issues.

[lillypaddle]

64. I think many of his followers

will do just that - follow him to CBS. This is a pretty big opportunity for Stephen, the way I see it. Love Comedy Central, but this gives him a much broader audience. WTG Stephen!

[question everything]

80. And will be easier, since both at the same time (nt)

[rhett o rick]

3. I am glad he is getting the recognition he deserves. I will miss his current persona. nm

[PatrynXX]

4. well there's a show I wont be watching.

Craig F is so much funnier.

Steve's alright for political education.. oh well.

[renate]

12. I adore Craig Ferguson

I wonder whether he was hoping/assuming he would get the job when Dave finally retired... I hate to think of him being disappointed.

Although I am also really happy that Stephen Colbert will have a bigger audience now. I think he's absolutely wonderful, and from everything I've read about him he's also a genuinely good guy. Not trying to contradict your point of view... I can see how he wouldn't be everybody's cup of tea as a TV host.

[AnneD]

42. Count me ....

as a Craig Ferguson fan too. I just can't always stay up so late. Good for Stephen though.

[LynneSin]

77. Ferguson has an interesting personality that works with 12:30pm crowd

but might not mesh well with 11:30 crowd. I think that's why Conan might not have done well with replacing Leno. And knowing that whomever takes over for Letterman would be the new kid on the block, Colbert brings in big name recognition over Ferguson. I think Colbert would give CBS strong competition against Fallon and Kimmel. And the last thing CBS wants is to put someone in that time slot and they fail. I doubt Colbert will have any issues but he will have to drop his Comedy Show personality.

I've also read that Ferguson prefers his time slot.

[840high]

133. Ferguson is the best.

[Capt. Obvious]

5. So they're canceling Colbert?

Suey Park wins

[corkhead]

6. I thought it was going to be Marc Maron

[11 Bravo]

7. I guess Bill-O the Clown has made his last "Late Show" appearance.

[TeamPooka]

65. Why would you say that? Bill has appeared on the Colbert Report

[UTUSN]

76. Because of this from yesterday. His thin skin was too much for his being flattered.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024798680
[font size=5]COLBERT pisses O'LOOFAH off so much, it makes the case for him to succeed Dave[/font]

[TeamPooka]

113. When Billo has a book to push he will go on Colberts new show and Colbert will have him on.

Bank on it.

[UTUSN]

117. & COLBERT will needle him mercilessly. nt

[KamaAina]

8. So who replaces Colbert?

Anyone remember "Totally Biased" on FXX? Kind of like the black Daily Show. It only lasted a couple of months. But that makes W. Kamau Bell available.

[Renew Deal]

13. Is the Colbert Report viable without Colbert?

He has such a unique personality.

[KamaAina]

15. The idea would be to place Totally Biased into the 11:30 slot

it's not the Report, of course, but it was hilarious!

[Overseas]

132. Totally Biased was a great show! Would be exciting to see it return.

[caraher]

17. It's not

But I think she meant in terms of replacing the whole show - will CC put something vaguely similar in the slot after The Daily Show?

[KamaAina]

20. She did indeed.

Except that she's a he. kama'aina means "local person" in Hawaiian (that's where I was when I joined), opposed to malihini (visitor or foreigner).

[caraher]

24. Oops!

Sorry for my blunder! I actually mixed up your user name with another one (and obviously I'm utterly clueless about Hawaiian!) Thanks for the mini language lesson!

[KamaAina]

46. I get that all the time.

Of course, I'm a feminist, so I consider it a compliment.

[onehandle]

16. Nobody. The GOP is celebrating. nt

[Renew Deal]

21. I doubt they care

[question everything]

83. There is still a year left. And.. will take place after the midterm elections

so will see..

[gelsdorf]

96. Why not Marc Maron here?

Or perhaps D.L. Hughley

[Kelvin Mace]

9. Damn...

I know it is a big step up for him (money), but the one of the world's best political satirists has just been lost.

[OnlinePoker]

10. Glad for that

I read yesterday they were actually considering Chelsea Handler.

[Renew Deal]

11. Congrats to Colbert!

I will miss the Colbert report, but this is a huge promotion for him.

[DebJ]

14. What a tragic loss. I don't know how I can survive US politics without the Colbert character.

I'm crushed. Crushed.

[Laffy Kat]

82. Me, too, Debj.

I feel your pain. Plus, I'm not sure it's a good fit.

[backscatter712]

18. I will miss the character "Stephen Colbert"

We all know and love him from the Colbert Report.

But when he moves to the late show, we'll see the real person Stephen Colbert, not the character "Stephen Colbert".

[Mosby]

32. Will he be "Colbert" or "Colbare"

His name is his brand and yet he changed the pronunciation for the Colbert report.

God I hope he knows what he's doing.

[cui bono]

41. Wasn't he using the same pronunciation when he was on The Daily Show?

I thought he was.

[Mosby]

56. That's right he was, I looked up the name thing

NAME: Originally, his name was pronounced COL-bert. "But my dad always wanted to be Col-BEAR ... so (he) said to us, 'You can be anything you want.' And so we made a choice, and it's about half and half. The girls for the most part are like, 'Get over it, you're Colbert,' but I was so young when this choice was given to us, I think that if somebody woke me up in the middle of the night and slapped me across the face I'd still say Stephen Col-BEAR. But if people don't like what I do on this show, I say, 'That's Stephen Col-BEAR, I'm Stephen Colbert.' "

http://web.archive.org/web/20070108132259/http://www.colbertsheroes.org/articles/CharlestonPost-Apr29-06.shtml

His brother Ed also goes by "colbert" not "colbear".

[Sheldon Cooper]

57. Yes, he was.

He changed the pronunciation of 'report' to 'ra-pore' to match his last name.

[chelsea0011]

19. Bummer. Funniest show on TV gone. His talents will be ruined on a talk show format.

[Marie Marie]

124. I agree.

Colbert's talents might be wasted interviewing the Hollywood elite. I'd much rather see him on a political show.

[chelsea0011]

136. .....so you have a movie coming out? We have a tape, I think. Blah, blah, blah

[Paladin]

23. Mr. Colbert, if you need advice on how to get un-funny in a hurry.......

....Jimmy Fallon can help you out.

[robbob]

93. umm....Jimmy Fallon was never THAT funny....

exhibit A: Whip my hair...


Good vocal impersonation, yes, funny? Not so much. Typical SNL SOP; beat a joke into the ground and then keep wailing on it for another 5-8 minutes until every last bit of humor is completely drained out of it...

[Paladin]

102. You're probably right. It just seems move evident, now. (nt)

[Zen Democrat]

25. I think the format will change and that Colbert will do an expanded "Report" every night on CBS.

It's his mileau. His forte. He will be fabulous. I see him questioning his guests exactly the same way he does it now -- sarcastic and tongue in cheek.

I don't think he's being co-opted. I think he's being EXPANDED! yay

[ginnyinWI]

33. I think so too

I can't see him leaving political humor for something else. I look forward to seeing him on TV again--have not since we cut the cable four year ago. Just see snippets online once in a while.

[elias49]

38. I hope you're right!

But I'm pessimistic.

[Duppers]

97. yes, let's hope you're right

S.C. is so damn sharp that it'd be a shame to lose that political wit.

[mattclearing]

134. His being so sharp is why I'm not worried.

He doesn't need the character to be funny, and I trust that whatever he does will at least measure up to the standard he established on the Report.

[Duppers]

135. was talking to my 27y.o. son last night

When we both came to that same logical conclusion. So, you and I agree. All's good and I'm glad Colbert is taking Letterman's place. He'll get more exposure and there no better person for the job.

Since Leno left, there's not a single repub left on late night programing! Yay!

[mattclearing]

137. Yay! n/t

[Malone]

26. Conan

I would have preferred Conan move over and go against Fallon, it would have righted everything. His TBS contract was up in 2015.

And people like the Colbert persona as a separate thing, I don't think he'll do the "fake conservative" thing.

[LTR]

37. I was rooting for Conan

Perhaps CBS considers him tainted goods, which if far from true.

Still, Colbert is a good move, and CBS was dmart to do this quickly. It won't be the same Colbert, but I'm interested to see what he does.

[Android3.14]

27. Sounds like they are taming him

This is a loss for us, but a gain for network advertising, the GOP and the manufacturers of gilded cages...
How unfortunate.

[CreekDog]

90. is this the conspiracy?

they just hired him to tone him down?

[Android3.14]

119. There's too little data to claim conspiracy

I wasn't even going there.
The result, though, will be the same.

[Chalco]

28. I'm gloriously happy and insanely sad nt

[MynameisBlarney]

29. No sir, I don't like it.

I think it's bad move.

[elias49]

30. Oh no!

I don't know what to think about this! I'll miss The Colbert Report...there's nothing like it. Some posters here talk about money, but I seriously doubt the Stephen Colbert needs more money. However I DO see how this could be a smart 'career' move for him...maybe the "Stephen Colbert" of late night satire is getting tired of the same old 'schtick'. And he isn't getting any younger.
I don't think that he'll be able to "be him" on network TV. Oh well.

[Kablooie]

31. I fear his genius will be muzzled. CBS will not allow very biting political comment, I'm sure.

Or else we will be seeing CBS repeating "The Smother's Brother's Comedy Hour" again.

(For those of you who aren't staring retirement in the eyes, The Smother's Brothers had a very successful variety show in the late 60's. Their humor evolved into very focussed anti Vietnam war commentary and soon the show was pulled off the air by CBS as a result.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Smothers_Brothers_Comedy_Hour

[Enthusiast]

84. I share your concern.

Now CBS has the Frank Luntz influence too.

[Duppers]

98. Me too. nt

[Mosby]

34. Maybe he will stay in character

One can hope anyway.

[UTUSN]

85. The news items say he's retiring the character, but I don't see why. He could do occational bits nt

[robbob]

95. He could keep that segment where he debates himself

"Formidable Opponent"? Is that what it was called? Debate himself as a RW shill. That bit always used to crack me up!

[tofuandbeer]

35. It'll be interesting to see how long CBS will put up with him.

I imagine he'll still piss off a lot of right-wingers.

[Initech]

36. Please tell me he's going to keep "The Word" and "Better Know A District".

If he does then I will finally have an excuse to watch late night TV again!

[cui bono]

51. "Better Know a District" !!!

If they put just the collection of those out on DVD I would absolutely buy that!

[Initech]

55. You can watch most of those on colbertnation.com

Oh man Colbert is going to be fun to watch tonight!

[olddad56]

39. talented guy, but my gut feeling is that he is not a good fit to replace Letterman.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

43. Good to see a Conservative voice taking over a key Liberal media slot.

. wink .

[Sunlei]

45. The more Colbert in the world the better!

[Historic NY]

47. A lot of things can happen between now and 2015....

so don't put the horse in front of the cart just yet.

[cui bono]

48. It's a conspiracy!!! CBS wanted to ruin The Colbert Report.

They bring him onto CBS, The Colbert Report is gone, they muzzle him and then don't renew his contract. Poof!

I mean it's no secret that they are leaning pretty right these days, we witnessed that with 60 Minutes.

Only half kidding.


Seriously, it's a huge loss for political satire and speaking truth to power. I think he'll do great, but it's definitely going to leave a hole. The Colbert Report is the best of the best.

I can see how he might be tired of doing the schtick though. He's probably ready for a change, though I hope he keeps up some of the biting satire, even if he's not in character. And yeah, I'm sure the money is a lot better.

[joanbarnes]

49. RW heads explode again! (The ones who 'get' him.)

[SmittynMo]

54. Excellent choice

I for one am happy to see it. Late night TV just step up a notch

[AllyCat]

58. I can watch him now!

[abelenkpe]

60. You can watch all his shows online. nt

[AllyCat]

116. No cable.

[TRoN33]

59. GOP loved Letterman because...

He asked way too softball questions. Stephen Colbert? Sure if GOPers can withstand his hardball questions and jokes! Good move by CBS.

[lunamagica]

125. GOP loved Letterman? You are kidding, right?

Every Conservative I know just despises Dave. Evey one of them

[abelenkpe]

61. Bummer

I've never watched the Late show and will miss the Colbert Report.

[backscatter712]

62. Colbert can kick ass and take names on the Late Show.

Yes, I'll miss the Colbert Report, with "Stephen Colbert", but I'm confident Stephen Colbert will kick ass on the Late Show.

[bbgrunt]

109. yes, Colbert is sharp as a tack and

can bring his wit to the Late Show, but I worry that he will have to carry on the tradition of hosting and helping to promote all the main stream "celebrities" instead of interesting, quirky, newsmakers with non mainstream ideas. That will be the biggest loss.

[rurallib]

63. Love to see Assif Mondvi or Lewis Black

replace Colbert.

Think they could develop some very interesting shows.

[olddad56]

75. you are in luck, the show is only an hour.

[HangOnKids]

104. Ahhh so sad for you

Did you sign up to bust Colbert's balls?

[HangOnKids]

107. Keep going

Lots of folks are looking at you!

[Cheerful Charlie]

112. Lots of folks have been looking at you, too.

Your profile lists a 60% chance of serving on juries.

[GreenPartyVoter]

115. Do you even understand what that means?

[Duppers]

100. you don't think he's funny???

[underpants]

68. Good for him. Amazing his show now started as a one ad joke

But they got such good feedback that they developed it as a show.

Truthiness was the first The Word on the first shoe.

[liberal N proud]

69. I said to my wife over the weekend that it would be Colbert

Not surprised, although somewhat disappointed that his spot on the Colbert Report will be vacant.

But this is great news for him. Confirmation of how big he is!

[Flatpicker]

70. He's announced that his entire writing team is going with him.

This is a loss for satire.

According to Variety, the character is going to be left behind with the switch.

But, SC get's his reward for all the years of hard work. So it's good for him.

[Gothmog]

71. Colbert will be great on the Late Show

I am going to miss the Colbert Report

[Spitfire of ATJ]

72. Am I the only one to notice a shift to the left on TV?

What's next?

Replace this guy...



....with this guy?

[UTUSN]

73. R#49 & K for, YIPPPPEEEEE!1 & not to decorate myself but if not I then WHO?!1

My sink-like-rock threads never fail to attract naysayers, but I'll add this to my rather long list of CORRECT (as opposed to "Right&quot judgment and gut calls over the years in the face of a chorus of dismissers in every case.

Below's my thread from the other day, wherein are found the requisite naysayers. To the present O.P. who says she is "upset and confused" I don't see why. And to the others who protested that he is "specific" to a comedic character, I submit that he has never been limited to that specificity, whether at the Correspondents Dinner where he totally obliterated and lambasted the press corps and Shrub, which is not a Character/O'LOOFAH position to take, or in interviews, or in his sister's political campaign.

The news item says he will retire the character-specific persona, fine, although if he wanted to he could do an occasional 3 minute bit.

So here's my wish, if not a PREDICTION, of the other day, and I would LUERVE to see O'LOOFAH's reaction right now:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024798680
[font size=5]COLBERT pisses O'LOOFAH off so much, it makes the case for him to succeed Dave[/font]

[SCVDem]

74. who will host?

Colburt or Colbare?

[GreatCaesarsGhost]

78. The Colbert Report could become a segment on his new show.

He's got an hour to fill.

[question everything]

79. No more "truthiness?" He will have to be serious about what he says

CBS had deep pockets, and trying to make fun of someone will make some lawyers too happy to sue for defamation, or just "anxiety."

Wonder how Comedy Central will fill that spot.

[CSStrowbridge]

81. I think this is a bad move.

I think this is a bad move. Colbert's style of comedy won't work in that format. Just like Conan's style of comedy didn't work with the 11:30 crowd.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

105. At this point he needs something to avoid being typecast....

Look at Jim Carrey. He started out as the really weird guy on "In Living Color" and did "Ace Ventura" but then went on to do serious roles like "The Truman Show" and "The Majestic".

Some people never break out of the roll that made them famous and this role is of someone with a LOT of negative characteristics I'm sure he will be happy to leave behind.

[ginnyinWI]

87. Says Colbert:

"The 49-year-old 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."

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/stephen-colbert-to-replace-david-letterman-on-late-show/

[erpowers]

88. Would Have Preferred a Woman

I would have preferred if CBS had picked a woman, especially a black woman to replace David Letterman. At one point I thought Wanda Sykes would have been a good choice; however, I recently thought she was too political and opinionated. I do not think she would have been able to do good interviews with people like Sarah Palin and other right wing Republicans.

However, I think it would have been nice if they had picked a woman. As a result of Colbert being picked to replace Letterman the late night landscape stays the same, mainly older white men.

[Flatpicker]

89. more info

[link:http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/04/10/cbs-interview-colbert-letterman/|

[malthaussen]

91. I always thought his interviews were the weakest part of the show...

... so I don't think this was a good move, although doubtless it will do well for his pocketbook. As it is, I never watch the Late Show anyway, so no more Colbert for me.

-- Mal

[Flying Squirrel]

122. I usually just watch the first half of Colbert

Interviews (particularly of people selling books) put me right to sleep, doesn't much matter who's doing them.

[colsohlibgal]

92. I'll Miss "The Colbert Report"

It's still amazing that so many right wingers still think he really is on their side. You would have thought his feature "The Word" would have tipped them off, but reading isn't a strong suit for many on the far right.

I imagine the Comedy Channel will tap into one of the very funny correspondents on either Stewart's or Colbert's show to carry on. It is too bad John Oliver got snapped up by HBO.

[Paper Roses]

99. Sad news for those who follow the Colbert report. I am unable to watch but certainly miss him.

Since, for economic reasons I had to switch to Comcast basic cable, I am no longer able to watch either Jon Stewart or The Colbert Report. I miss both shows. I'm not sure if I get CBS because I rarely watch TV and never stay up late enough to watch Letterman.
Don't know how to record this stuff....I am an old timer with few skills in the record, play, whatever department. I know Stephen is an asset that will be missed on Comedy Central.

[ballyhoo]

110. Horrible decision. Killing two birds

with one stone. Colbert's humor is suited for Colbert Report. It is not for the Late Show. Some will stay for the beginning, but they will be gone soon right along with the Fallon watchers. People want real humor at that time of night. They don't want to have to have to think whether they should laugh or not. Now, I don't watch tv, so it's no big deal to me. But I know there are those that do.... TV is getting so politically staffed, do they really need Internet Political Boards? Well, at least it wasn't Chelsea Hightower, whom I saw a few times passing in front of my daughter. Is she supposed to be funny?

[pam4water]

111. +1

[GreenPartyVoter]

114. I am going to miss the "Report" so much!

[a kennedy]

118. Guess we can stay good bye to Comedy Central's The Colbert Report......

"What you're going to get is the real Stephen Colbert," says CBS CEO Leslie Moonves, who hired him to replace David Letterman next year. "He said it's time to do something different. If he's going to be on our air for 20 years, as we all hope, it's not humanly possible to keep that character going."

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2014/04/10/stephen-colbert-cbs/7560191/

and I'm sorry, I didn't like Stephen being Stephen on with David Letterman....

didn't think it was so funny. He kept looking at the overhead camera....and it bothered me. JMHO.

[Android3.14]

120. I am unhappy about this

Colbert seemed like one of those folks who would never sell out.

[kokobell616]

121. Comedy Central's loss

I am not as big a fan of Colbert as some. I like to have guests answer questions asked of them. A new gig at a new platform might be just the ticket for Stephen Colbert as well as CBS. I wish him well in the new roll as anchor of Late Night with Stephen Colbert.

[Corey_Baker08]

123. Great News Ive Always Loved Dave's Jabs At Republicans...

I think this will be a wonderful opportunity for Stephen Colbert & CBS. I love the Late Show because Dave is not afraid to call out Republicans on Their B.S., and you can bet Stephen Colbert will not back down....

[fujiyama]

126. Colbert is brilliant

and I'll admit I was surprised to hear he took the gig, but then again this is a huge opportunity for him. I wish him the best.

I'll miss the Colbert Report though. I'm glad to hear his writing team is going with him, though I fear their creativity will be neutered on a major network and I hope the format of the show isn't typical of the late night formula (monologue, filler, interview, band).

[Out of Time Man]

127. This is a huge loss.

Colbert's political satire is unparalleled, and to take him to a late night talk show is to essentially neutralize his political and satirical wit.

If he doesn't take his persona with him to CBS, I don't see myself following him there.

I'm deeply saddened by this news.

[Vadem]

128. Good! Then, he needs to trash the conservative personna and come out as a flaming liberal!! n/t

[BlindTiresias]

129. Oh good

Now he can be unfunny like everything else on basic late night.

[YOHABLO]

130. I really don't think CBS cares about Colbert's politics ... they care about ratings and adver $$$

[Hotler]

131. The PTB will make him tone it down.

His biting satire will only last a few weeks till the emails from the repugs start rolling in then they will shut him down and will become just a wisp of what he was. Oh well, at least he's making big bucks.