TV: Late Show - Letterman retiring May 20; Colbert debuting Sept 8 (post: 248)

[Megahab]

There has to be a mistake there. It was either Letterman that received it or they were referring to Conan's clause when he was booted from the Tonight Show years later.

Probably Letterman, because Conan got $45 million when he left the Tonight Show in 2010.

 

[NotABadPeriod]

But Colbert plays a character.... CBS wouldn't want the character as a host. Could Colbert be a host without his current made up persona?

I think so. Obviously he wasn't hosting, but he was still quite funny as a Daily Show correspondent prior to his show/persona.

 

[aleshemsky83]

I think so. Obviously he wasn't hosting, but he was still quite funny as a Daily Show correspondent prior to his show/persona.

Colbert played a character when he was a correspondent as well

 

[Shareefruck]

But Colbert plays a character.... CBS wouldn't want the character as a host. Could Colbert be a host without his current made up persona?

I don't see any reason to believe he wouldn't be hilarious out of his fake persona-- That guy is sharp as a knife.

 

[kingsholygrail]

I'd also love to see Norm MacDonald hosting one of these shows, but it'll never happen. He's seen as too much of a loose cannon, and frankly he's not of the political persuasion CBS would be looking for. Nor ABC, nor NBC. They'd never get him to agree to not tell Obama jokes like all the others (and I'm willing to bet that's why Leno started making Obama the butt of a lot of his jokes, because he was being pushed out by NBC anyway and had nothing to lose). I don't know if anyone's paid enough attention to notice, but despite Obama being great fodder for punchlines, Fallon, Kimmel, Meyers, and Letterman have avoided joking about him like they'd be shot if they did. I'm sure O'Brien also has avoided telling Obama jokes. MacDonald, on the other hand, would NEVER stop, and if you told him not to do it he'd do it more just to rub your nose in it. He's also never been keen on being politically correct, another danger zone for the networks.

A hope against hopes of course.

 

[Acadmus]

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainmen...ssed-over-for-late-night-gig/?intcmp=features

Something screwy in that quote you posted...O'Brien wasn't passed over for The Tonight Show in '93...Letterman was. O'Brien was a wet-behind-the-ears replacement for Letterman when he bailed for CBS.

 

[WarriorOfGandhi]

Something screwy in that quote you posted...O'Brien wasn't passed over for The Tonight Show in '93...Letterman was. O'Brien was a wet-behind-the-ears replacement for Letterman when he bailed for CBS.

 

[JunglePete]

My guess is Arsenio, Colbert or Conan. Why would Ellen leave daytime for a smaller audience? Anybody but that blonde lady (Not Ellen), the one with the annoying voice

Imagine George Lopez

 

[bohlmeister]

My guess is Arsenio, Colbert or Conan. Why would Ellen leave daytime for a smaller audience? Anybody but that blonde lady (Not Ellen), the one with the annoying voice

Imagine George Lopez

David Spade?

 

[John Price]

ROFL. He means Chelsea

 

[Miss Mess]

People have suggested Amy Poehler too.

 

[Takeo]

People have suggested Amy Poehler too.

Only person worse would be her buddy Tina.

I've always enjoyed Letterman. He will be missed.

 

[Acadmus]

Just heard the breaking news on the radio: CBS has announced the replacement WILL be Colbert.

...which also means I won't be tuning in.

 

[SB164]

Wow, that was quick. Congrats to Stephen Colbert

 

[99GoHabsGo99]

Conan Pleaseeeeeeeeee

Edit: Wow, Colbert... Didn't see that coming

 

[Ozamataz Buckshank]

Really going to miss the Colbert Report, but I can't wait to see what he can do outside the confines of that character he's been playing for 9 years.

 

[Telos]

Mildly surprised to see Colbert win out, but it makes sense and does shift the show to a new, younger, demographic. It will be weird watching Colbert without his Republican shtick though. Should be a good move for the Late Show, big blow for Comedy Central, they lost both Colbert and John Oliver in the same year.

 

[WarriorOfGandhi]

it's been 9 years? Damn, time flies

 

[Nothingman*]

Colbert. Hmmm. That will be interesting. Not a fan though.

 

[ranold26]

I like both guys.
The late night wars are back.

 

[Trap Jesus]

I don't know what to think of this. I just can't see him outside of his Colbert Report persona.

 

[No Fun Shogun]

Here's hoping that Stephen Colbert's first interview is with Stephen Colbert the character.

 

[Vegeta]

Terrible. I was hoping they would give the reigns to Ferguson. I guess on the plus side, Colbert is still much better than that washed up Conan.

 

[Acadmus]

I like both guys.
The late night wars are back.

yeah...but I'm willing to bet overall ratings amongst NBC/CBS/ABC will never return to what they were a few months ago. And Kimmel will probably be in contention to lead the pack now.

 

[Ben Grimm]

The names people thought in the first 10 posts were unrealistic. I'm sure the under 30 crowd on the message boards will love this. Fallon and Myers are known through SNL and their SNL/Hollywood connections, NBC's late night ratings, and NBC location help them get guests and viewers. Many people don't watch cable talk shows and don't even know who John Stewart is, let alone Colbert. He looks like a scientist and is not a stand up comedian. I see Letterman type ratings that are < Fallon for this.