Stephen Colbert will replace David Letterman when he retires from "Late Show" next year, CBS Television announced on Thursday.
Colbert, the host of Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report," has signed a five-year deal with the network set to begin when Letterman steps down in 2015.
“Stephen Colbert is one of the most inventive and respected forces on television,” CBS President Leslie 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.”
“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,” Nina Tassler, the Chairman of CBS Entertainment, said. ”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.”
Okay I am a little torn here.
I read earlier that Colbert would be playing this straight, and appear on the show as himself, rather than in character.
That raises conflicted feelings in me.
Because while I really like Stephen Colbert, I really LOVE Stephen Colbert.
I mean Stephen Colbert is a gifted performer and quite entertaining, but Stephen Colbert is a genius.
I guess what I am saying is that I don't know if I can enjoy watching Stephen Colbert, while at the same time mourning the loss of Stephen Colbert.
Okay now I have a headache again.
Update: For any of you who are worried that Stephen will be bullied by CBS into being non-controversial or into watering down his comedy, I remind you that the man has the biggest set of balls in all of comedy.
Behold his 2006 appearance at the White House Correspondent's Dinner.
Did Sarah Palin think that she had a chance at that job? Stop laughing. I was just wondering.
ReplyDeleteHahahahha! The cons are ALL Butthurt! Especially at BreitFart!
DeleteExpect a h8 missive from the skankerella in 4,3,21...Bwhaahahaaaaa! Go Stephen!!!
No, but Bristl thought they were going to call her! Especiallynow that she has a "skin certificate!"
DeleteWell, they might call Brissy to do skin if Stephen books some elephants.
DeleteI will definitely miss the Colbert Report and Stephen Colbert.
ReplyDeleteI'm sad.
ReplyDeleteI love The Colbert Report and will miss it dearly.
There is no way they'll let Colbert do any of his political satire on The Late Show. And we really need that sort of intellectual political satire and exposing of political hypocrites that Stephen and Jon do so well.
The Late Show will kill Stephen and turn him into a mediocre, bland, don't rock the boat yes man.
He might be flattered and thinks he wants it now. But after a few months he is going to be chomping at the bit to go back to the Report. I hope Comedy Central will take him back after his 5 year contract is up.
Now who will replace Colbert? John Oliver?
Let's not predict failure for Colbert before he even steps into the job, please. And I think John Oliver would be an excellent choice to follow in Colbert's footsteps. He stepped in and did a great job during Colbert's vacation.
DeleteI'm not predicting failure. I'm saying he may not like the job and want to go back to the Report for the freedom and creativity it allows.
DeleteJohn Oliver subbed for Jon Stewart while he was directing his film.
WHAT? How come they didn't get Sarah Palin?
ReplyDeleteLMAO!!! Oh man, my side is hurting from that one!
DeleteI'm sure she's applying to be his announcer..or lead the band. After all, she can wave her arms, point, AND airplay the flute.
DeleteBecause they know she would quit halfway through her contract. ;-)
DeleteOkay. I read that Bill O'Reilly's head exploded and Rush Limbaugh is freaking out.
ReplyDeleteNow it's worth it.
Go, Stephen!
RUSH LIMBAUGH: CBS 'Declared War On The Heartland Of America' By Hiring Stephen Colbert
DeleteRead more: http://www.businessinsider.com/rush-limbaugh-stephen-colbert-cbs-late-show-2014-4#ixzz2yW9JddeX
Just as if anyone cares what that loudmouth has to say....
DeleteAlmost as if anyone cares what that loudmouth has to say anymore....
DeleteHere's One Reason To Be Depressed About Stephen Colbert Taking Over For David Letterman
ReplyDeleteRead more: http://www.businessinsider.com/colbert-letterman-2014-4#ixzz2yW9PpQ3N
Why Stephen Colbert Is the Perfect Choice For CBS
Read more: http://www.thewrap.com/stephen-colbert-perfect-choice-cbs/#ixzz2yW9UMqLj
Watch The Wonderful Moment When Stephen Colbert Explained His 'Idiot' Character To John Kerry
Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/stephen-colbert-explains-his-idiot-character-to-john-kerry-2014-4#ixzz2yW9aXuyk
The man can do it all -
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8cwzUEFtkI
If he can be that good in the very narrow boundaries of a character, I look forward to seeing him released, especially in his interviews, which sometimes end up being shallow because of his character restrictions.
They'll be even shallower due to Late Show restrictions.
DeleteAnd I don't think he'll like it. Especially when he gets the right-wing hypocrites that he used to skewer on The Report. Only now he has to play nice and not touch them.
Le sigh.......
ReplyDeleteRush Limbaugh has his knickers all knotted up. I heard he was ranting even more than usual at the news.
ReplyDeleteYes, we will all miss the brilliance of the SCS. I will miss Stephen when he takes over the Tonight Show simply because I don't stay up that late. He'll be cutting out a large demographic of his younger audience as well I bet.
ReplyDeleteI don't think the world will lose much by Stephen Colbert not pretending to be a Right-wing dickwad any more.
ReplyDeleteBut then, who will be left to expose the Right-wing dickwad hypocrites for the Right-wing dickwad hypocrites that they are?
DeleteJon Stewart can't do it alone.
I'm going to reserve judgement and give him a chance. The man is truly a genius. I've given up on "Leno" since what he did to team coco, and the new guy can't hold a candle to Colbert.
ReplyDeleteOk.....with Jimmy Fallon blowing the doors off everyone else we all knew this was coming. Out with the old and in with the new.
ReplyDeleteI too will miss the Colbert report, but you have to have faith the real Stephen is incredibly talented in so many more areas than he shows on his current show. He is an all around entertainer like Fallon and still with that sharp as a tack wit as an interviewer. Don't worry about CBS giving him all the money in the world for skits and that tremendous circle of celebrities/politicians....he has big time name recognition. He sat next to Michelle at the state dinner for France FFS!!!!!! Stewart produces Colbert so it wouldn't be a stretch to see Oliver try it, being British our country politics are even stupider to him. I think Jon had some feedback here for this huge decision...but wow, he is no longer bound by the fake Stephen and the Tonight Show is the cherry on top. I for one can't wait....I watched Dave every night until he moved to 11:30, losing the Tonight Show to that asswhipe Leno was hard to watch, but his show def changed. He became milk toast...just less so than Leno.
Colbert is immensely talented all-around. I recently saw him in a very dramatic role on a rerun of "Law and Order: Criminal Intent." He totally made me forget his "Colbert Report" character.
ReplyDeleteNeedless to say, the wingnuts are not happy with this development.
http://www.salon.com/2014/04/10/conservatives_on_twitter_are_very_unhappy_about_stephen_colberts_new_job/
And Ben Shapiro (um, who?) can suck a bag of dicks.
http://www.salon.com/2014/04/10/right_wing_pundit_ben_shapiro_says_colberts_act_is_vile_political_blackface/
Jennifer K