UPDATE: Stephen Colbert to host The Late Show. Five year contract.

[techs]

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainmen...olbert-reportedly-favorite-for-late-show-gig/

But in the past 48 hours Colbert has been tabbed by showbiz insiders and the media as a top contender to move to CBS’ 11:35 p.m. slot.

CBS reps have steadfastly declined comment on possible Letterman successors. A source close to the situation said the network intends to move quickly to set its post-Letterman lineup, a process that is expected to take a few weeks but not months.

Colbert’s current contract with Comedy Central runs through 2014. He has hosted “The Colbert Report” in the persona of faux conservative commentator since 2005 after getting his start on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart"



Colbert couldn't continue his faux right wing shtick. His interviews, however, are pretty good. So, with a good writing staff doing the monologue I think Colbert could handle doing the Late Show

 

[norseamd]

But in the past 48 hours Colbert has been tabbed by showbiz insiders and the media as a top contender to move to CBS’ 11:35 p.m. slot. CBS reps have steadfastly declined comment on possible Letterman successors. A source close to the situation said the network intends to move quickly to set its post-Letterman lineup, a process that is expected to take a few weeks but not months. Colbert’s current contract with Comedy Central runs through 2014. He has hosted “The Colbert Report” in the persona of faux conservative commentator since 2005 after getting his start on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" Colbert couldn't continue his faux right wing shtick. His interviews, however, are pretty good. So, with a good writing staff doing the monologue I think Colbert could handle doing the Late Show

colbert should stay on cable tv shows

he and conan and jon stewart were made for cable tv shows with the type of comedy that they do

 

[TwiceOver]

colbert should stay on cable tv shows

he and conan and jon stewart were made for cable tv shows with the type of comedy that they do

Agree. Except for Conan. He isn't funny and doesn't belong on TV of any kind.

 

[Printer Bandit]

conan is a shell of his former self.

 

[norseamd]

conan is a shell of his former self.

never watched him ever on his show on tbs

all i am saying is that his outlandish comedy style is more suited for cable

 

[Hugh Jass]

Hell no...this does not need to happen.

Colbert needs to stay where he is instead of taking that job and participating in nothing more than a late night celebrity handjob fest.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

I've heard Tina Fey and Amy Poehler mentioned. I'd like to see either one of them over Colbert. I've never seen Colbert when he wasn't playing a character, he'd need to be himself and maybe himself isn't all that good.

 

[T9D]

Conan did the Texas shows this last week. It was freaking hilarious, every second of it.

They should give the spot to Conan. I think he was doing better than lettermans ratings wasn't he when he was on the tonight show time slot? Just not as good as leno but would be great for their slot. They normally get less viewers anyway. So they would probably be doing better with Conan.

 

[zerocool84]

Conan did the Texas shows this last week. It was freaking hilarious, every second of it.

They should give the spot to Conan. I think he was doing better than lettermans ratings wasn't he when he was on the tonight show time slot? Just not as good as leno but would be great for their slot. They normally get less viewers anyway. So they would probably be doing better with Conan.

Even though I'm not a huge Conan fan it'd be the easiest fit since he already has some many years of experience but I'm sure with his current contract it's not going to happen.

 

[Balt]

Hell no...this does not need to happen.

Colbert needs to stay where he is instead of taking that job and participating in nothing more than a late night celebrity handjob fest.

I hadn't thought of it that way, but you're absolutely right. Colbert trying to fit into the typical CBS/NBC late night format would be a downgrade comedy-wise, and CBS probably isn't going to let him work outside of that framework.

I don't know if he'll be able to resist the temptation, though.

 

[FelixDeCat]

nobody watches tv anyway

 

[darkswordsman17]

I sure hope not, but I wouldn't fault him since they'll probably dangle ludicrous amounts of money at him. Seems like that show (and its NBC counterpart) would basically be resigning yourself to boring schlock for the rest of your career though. But if you're around 50 and have a family and already did what you wanted to as a comedian then I could see the routine and gobs of money being something you'd want.

 

[CPA]

Conan did the Texas shows this last week. It was freaking hilarious, every second of it.

They should give the spot to Conan. I think he was doing better than lettermans ratings wasn't he when he was on the tonight show time slot? Just not as good as leno but would be great for their slot. They normally get less viewers anyway. So they would probably be doing better with Conan.

Yep, the shows were great.

 

[Sonikku]

The man likes to pretend to be a true conservative, but it's obvious to anyone with half a brain that he's just a liberal troll.

 

[Imp]

Hope not... Not because he's bad, but because the Colbert Report and his character would be gone.

Conan would be the best or easiest fit. I love Craig Ferguson and he's the only one I watch regularly, but there's no way they'd give it to him. His act would also have to change too much at the earlier time slot.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

letterman is such a joke, hes like 80 years old at a time when all the other hosts are 40. conan is the king of unfunny. i dont really watch them but ive browsed colbert and bill mahers books and theyre pretty funnie. jon stewart is so so

 

[MongGrel]

Hell no...this does not need to happen.

Colbert needs to stay where he is instead of taking that job and participating in nothing more than a late night celebrity handjob fest.

Yep, and Imagine he would. I'd be very surprised to see Colbert there.

I'd think Craig Ferguson the logical one for it to begin with.

 

[mmntech]

The man likes to pretend to be a true conservative, but it's obvious to anyone with half a brain that he's just a liberal troll.

I thought that was his whole schtick. He's supposed to be a parody of conservative talk show hosts.

I think he most certainly would go to network TV if they paid him enough. The real questions is whether he can appeal to mainstream audiences. Letterman was "edgier" than Leno. But in network terms, it's like comparing whole wheat to white Wonderbread. I'm curious as to whether he could make that transition. I don't think John Stewart (who I'm more familiar with) could, and the two are cut from the same cloth.

In short, I think they should just give the gig to Bob Kelly, because ya know what dude, you're in bed, you got your tv on, boom you're laughing.

 

[Rage187]

I'd like Chelsea Handler to take over.

 

[TridenT]

Hell no...this does not need to happen.

Colbert needs to stay where he is instead of taking that job and participating in nothing more than a late night celebrity handjob fest.

This. I don't watch late night shows such as Letterman because it is nothing more than a circle jerk for celebrities.

 

[schneiderguy]

Colbert is a racist piece of shit though.

 

[Rage187]

Colbert is a racist piece of shit though.

He doesn't run that twitter account or is there another instance you are referring to?

 

[TridenT]

He doesn't run that twitter account or is there another instance you are referring to?

He's trolling.

 

[rockyct]

I thought that was his whole schtick. He's supposed to be a parody of conservative talk show hosts.

I think he most certainly would go to network TV if they paid him enough. The real questions is whether he can appeal to mainstream audiences. Letterman was "edgier" than Leno. But in network terms, it's like comparing whole wheat to white Wonderbread. I'm curious as to whether he could make that transition. I don't think John Stewart (who I'm more familiar with) could, and the two are cut from the same cloth.

In short, I think they should just give the gig to Bob Kelly, because ya know what dude, you're in bed, you got your tv on, boom you're laughing.

I actually think Jon Stewart is more of the guy that you would want as a late night host. He was a stand up comedian and he rarely digs into the guests he has on the show. He is political, but is more anti-stupid people than anything.

Colbert would be fine I'm sure, but he's a very different type of comedian. He's more of an improv/sketch performer and everything is heavy satire. On his show, he's more than happy to skewer someone with a smile on his face and without the guest even knowing what hit him. He's not the guy you're going to send your star actors to because he's too much of a wild card. If Colbert wanted to be "The Late Show" host, I think he is smart enough to find a way to make it work but it wouldn't be playing to his strengths.

 

[MongGrel]

The man likes to pretend to be a true conservative, but it's obvious to anyone with half a brain that he's just a liberal troll.

Pretend what ? You've just proved my point on another thread English speakers not getting the meaning of sarcasm.

Colbert being a Conservative was sarcasm from the start, it's what the whole show is based on.

Not sure where pretending comes into it, but yeah that is one of the basics of sarcasm more or less.

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