Stephen Colbert to replace David Letterman on “Late Show”

Comedy Central (DStv 122) is losing Stephen Colbert and will be losing Colbert Report in 8 months after 20 years in the role – Stephen Colbert has been chosen as the American late night successor in the place of David Letterman for The Late Show.

Colbert has fronted Comedy Central’s political satire programme The Colbert Report since 2005, playing the part of a fictional news anchor of the same name. He will front The Late Show as himself, rather than the caricature he uses on his current programme.

A premiere date for his first show in 2015 will be announced once Letterman’s departure has been finalised, leaving Colbert free to complete another eight months on Comedy Central.

The network wished him well in a statement on Thursday but the move will see him compete with Comedy Central in the 23.30 time slot he currently occupies for them. Comedy Central is now on the lookout for a new show to fill the slot from next year.