On last night’s episode of ‘The Late Show’, long time host David Letterman announced his retirement from late night television, stating that he will be stepping down as host sometime next year, which is when his contract is due to expire.
Already the blogosphere is ripe with speculation on who will replace the outgoing Letterman. As Bill Carter notes in ‘The New York Times’, heir apparent and host of ‘The Late Late Show’, Craig Ferguson’s previous contracts with CBS have included a “Prince of Wales” clause, giving him the first right of refusal should David Letterman decide to leave.
However, as David Letterman knows only too well, such clauses are never set in stone, as a network can choose to pay off the deal rather than honour the succession, as happened when Jay Leno was chosen to succeed Johnny Caron in favour of David Letterman in 1992.
Suggestions for possible replacement’s have erupted across the web, with candidates ranging from Chris Rock to Louie C.K., Chelsea Handler to Conan O’Brien, Tina Fey to Amy Sedaris, and most interestingly Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert.
This morning Deadlines Nikki Finke Tweeted, “My sources say Stephen Colbert “the only one on the air currently that CBS is considering,” with Newsdays Verne Gay adding “I repeat: All eyes now on Stephen Colbert. His CC deal is up soon. And I hear CBS wants him for “Late Show.” He’s not Dave – but brilliant.”
Insider speculation aside, who do you think should be the next host of ‘The Late Show’? Would you like to see Stephen Colbert make the jump, stay on at ‘The Colbert Report’, or do something entirely different? Share your thoughts with the Hub!!
David Letterman | – Part 2
On last night’s episode of ‘The Late Show’, long time host David Letterman announced his retirement from late night television, stating that he will be stepping down as host sometime next year, which is when his contract is due to expire.
Already the blogosphere is ripe with speculation on who will replace the outgoing Letterman. As Bill Carter notes in ‘The New York Times’, heir apparent and host of ‘The Late Late Show’, Craig Ferguson’s previous contracts with CBS have included a “Prince of Wales” clause, giving him the first right of refusal should David Letterman decide to leave.
However, as David Letterman knows only too well, such clauses are never set in stone, as a network can choose to pay off the deal rather than honour the succession, as happened when Jay Leno was chosen to succeed Johnny Caron in favour of David Letterman in 1992.
Suggestions for possible replacement’s have erupted across the web, with candidates ranging from Chris Rock to Louie C.K., Chelsea Handler to Conan O’Brien, Tina Fey to Amy Sedaris, and most interestingly Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert.
This morning Deadlines Nikki Finke Tweeted, “My sources say Stephen Colbert “the only one on the air currently that CBS is considering,” with Newsdays Verne Gay adding “I repeat: All eyes now on Stephen Colbert. His CC deal is up soon. And I hear CBS wants him for “Late Show.” He’s not Dave – but brilliant.”
Insider speculation aside, who do you think should be the next host of ‘The Late Show’? Would you like to see Stephen Colbert make the jump, stay on at ‘The Colbert Report’, or do something entirely different? Share your thoughts with the Hub!!