Stephen Colbert To Replace David Letterman

Stephen Colbert, current host of The Colbert Report on Comedy Central, has scored the coveted gig as replacement for David Letterman as host of CBS' Late Night… program.

While Colbert has been tipped as a possible contender for the gig for some time, it may still come as a bit of a shock to some. Colbert's present gig is a highly satirical look at politics in which Colbert plays what he has called a “well-intentioned, poorly informed, high-status idiot”.  Colbert will ditch the character when he fills Letterman's shoes, which will give audiences a different look at the cult hero.

Fellow CBS talk show host Craig Ferguson was seen by some to be the natural successor to Letterman (his show airs on the same network directly after Letterman's), but his more absurd brand of humour is likely part of the reason he was passed over. Rumour online state that Ferguson looks to net millions of dollars for not getting the job, thanks to an agreement with CBS.

Letterman will continue to host through 2014 and The Colbert Report will also continue as usual. Colbert moves to CBS some time in 2015.

In other talk show news, The Daily Show (where Colbert was before his own show, interestingly) regular John Oliver has his own show with HBO, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, beginning in a couple of weeks' time, and today it was announced it will be shown in Australia express from the US. The Comedy Channel have secured the rights to broadcast the program and will begin screening it Monday 28 April at 6.30pm. The series will run for 24 weeks.

Check out our top ten Letterman musical performances here.