Stephen Colbert To Succeed Mr. Letterman As Host Of The 'Late Show'!

Stephen Colbert may succeed David Letterman as host of the "Late Show, " CBS declared Thursday, one week immediately after Letterman told his audience which he would retire sometime within 2015.

CBS said that Colbert had signed a 5-year agreement to helm this iconic late-night broadcast.

Colbert, 49, has become the host of Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report" from 2005.

Will Colbert stay in his Comedy Central character? No. Colbert told Bill Carter from the NY Times, I will not be doing this new show in character, so we'll all get to discover how much of him was me. I am looking forward to this.

CBS said "specific creative elements" could be determined and announced later on.

Colbert has been mentioned as a probable successor to Letterman for years, and his name swiftly became a consensus pick after Letterman's retirement statement April 3. But the swiftness from the announcement was surprising.

CBS stated, "Colbert's premiere date as host of the 'Late Show' will probably be announced after Letterman ascertains a timetable for his final broadcasts within 2015."

In a statement, Mr. Letterman signaled his backing for CBS' choice by simply saying that Colbert had "always been an actual friend to me. "

I'm very excited regarding him, and I'm flattered of which CBS chose him, Mr. Letterman said. I also occur to know they required another guy with glasses.

Les Moonves, president and also CEO of CBS Corp., called Colbert 'one of the very most inventive and respected causes on television.' He added that , David Letterman's legacy and accomplishments are a terrific source of pride for all of us here, and also today's announcement speaks to our commitment of upholding exactly what he established for CBS within late night.

Comedy Central in addition praised Colbert on Thursday, saying, "We look forward to subsequent eight months of this ground-breaking 'Colbert Report' and also wish Stephen the very much best. "

Colbert's move means he'll compete with the 11: thirty p. m. time slot of his current show, and he'll no lengthier have his friend Jon Stewart like a lead-in. Stewart, the host of "The Daily Show, " told NY magazine's Vulture blog upon Wednesday that CBS could be wise to hire Colbert.

"He's wonderful within 'Colbert Report, ' but he's got gears he hasn't even revealed people yet. He could be remarkable, " Stewart mentioned.

Colbert naturally had the final laugh in Thursday's media release.

"Simply being a guest upon David Letterman's show is a highlight of my profession, " he said. "I never dreamed i would follow in his footsteps, though everyone within late night follows Dave's lead. Now i'm thrilled and grateful that CBS selected me. Currently, if you will excuse me, I have to move grind a gap within my front teeth. "

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