David Itzkoff recently interviewed David Letterman for The New York Times, in which Dave spoke about how the ‘Late Show’ has developed over the years, why he and the show never participated in social media, how it feels to be “surrounded by Jimmy’s”, and what he will do once his time as host of the ‘Late Show’ comes to an end.
Surprisingly, when asked about his involvement in choosing a successor, Dave reveals that he was never consulted in the decision to hire Stephen Colbert, nor was he asked who he might like to succeed him.
David Letterman Reflects on 33 Years in Late-Night Television
Did you have any involvement in choosing Stephen Colbert as your successor?
No. Not my show. When we sign off, we’re out of business with CBS. I always thought Jon Stewart would have been a good choice. And then Stephen. And then I thought, well, maybe this will be a good opportunity to put a black person on, and it would be a good opportunity to put a woman on. Because there are certainly a lot of very funny women that have television shows everywhere. So that would have made sense to me as well.
But you were not consulted?
[shakes head no] Mm-mmm.
Did that bother you?
Yeah, I guess so. Just as a courtesy, maybe somebody would say: “You know, we’re kicking around some names. Do you have any thoughts here?” But it doesn’t bother me now. At the time, I had made the decision [to leave] and I thought, O.K., this is what comes when you make this decision.
Their selection of Stephen Colbert came very quickly.
They didn’t have to put much thought to it, did they? I think it was the very next day. [laughs] But if you’re running the show with Jimmy Fallon, that’s a certain dynamic. Jimmy Kimmel, a completely different dynamic. And now Stephen Colbert will add a third, different dynamic to it. I think it will be very interesting to see what he will do.
Have you offered him any advice on how he should run his show?
No. We chatted when the announcement was made. And that was about it. I don’t think he needs — he’s not a kid. He’s not a beginner. He’s had pretty good success.
David Letterman Played No Part in Hiring Stephen Colbert
David Itzkoff recently interviewed David Letterman for The New York Times, in which Dave spoke about how the ‘Late Show’ has developed over the years, why he and the show never participated in social media, how it feels to be “surrounded by Jimmy’s”, and what he will do once his time as host of the ‘Late Show’ comes to an end.
Surprisingly, when asked about his involvement in choosing a successor, Dave reveals that he was never consulted in the decision to hire Stephen Colbert, nor was he asked who he might like to succeed him.