Stephen Colbert, host of Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report, will replace David Letterman on The Late Show in 2015. Photo/Wikimedia
[dropcap]N[/dropcap]ot even a week since David Letterman announced his retirement from The Late Show, CBS has announced Stephen Colbert as his heir apparent when the host of 21 years steps down in 2015.
CBS announced Thursday afternoon that it had reached a five-year agreement with the host of Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report, with Colbert set to takeover when Letterman chooses his exit time frame for next year.
“Stephen has always been a real friend to me,” Letterman said through a CBS official statement. “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.”
Colbert got his start on Comedy Central as a creator and actor for one of it’s earliest cult hits, Strangers With Candy, but his appearances beginning in 1997 on The Daily Show with Craig Kilborn, and eventually Jon Stewart, were what introduced and popularized him to a mainstream audience. In October 2005, the satirist spun off to his own time slot with the right-wing character, building a significant following particularly among young viewers. Ratings for The Colbert Report surpassed those of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno for the first time in early 2013 in the key Adults 18-49 demographic.
“Simply being a guest on David Letterman’s show has been a highlight of my career,” said Colbert. “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.”
Letterman passed Johnny Carson in 2013 as the longest running late-night talk show host. The 66-year-old Indianapolis native started on NBC with Late Night with David Letterman beginning in 1982 before transitioning to CBS in August 1993.
Creative elements, including things like filming location, are set to be announced at a later date.
First reported by Press Row Sports.
