We are just under a month away from the return of US talk show, The Late Show, this time returning with comedian Stephen Colbert at the helm, following the departure of veteran David Letterman in May after a 33-year career and Colbert has promised he will shake things up in a big way.
Writing an opinion piece for Glamour, the 51-year-old personality gave an honest, yet predictably hilarious insight into the current mindset of late night TV and the controversy currently surrounding it, in that there is a massive lack of female presence on the shows. Colbert says he wants to change this.
"I love women. I'm married to one, I was birthed by one, and I played one in my high school production of Romeo and Juliet. No one else could fit into the bodice," Colbert began.
"It has been pointed out to me that I, like other late-night TV hosts, am a man. And while I'm happy to have a job, I am surprised that the world of late-night TV lacks a female presence, unlike sitcoms, which are packed with smoking-hot wives who teach their doughy husband a valuable lesson when he slips on a pizza and falls headfirst into a porta-potty full of beer. Check your local listings."
"While there are many talented female comedians out there, right now the world of late-night is a bit of a sausagefest," Colbert admits.
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The comic, who got his breakout role as a correspondent on fellow US program The Daily Show, even took a few light-hearted jabs at his rival US talk show hosts, including Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel.
"Sure, the other hosts bring the eye candy. Jimmy Fallon has a boyish charm, and for the ladies who are into ladies, if you squint, Jimmy Kimmel kind of looks like a rugged Mila Kunis. But female viewers need more than a pretty face. They need someone who will represent their voice."
He concluded with a promise that the newly hosted Late Show will have a stronger female perspective.
"I'm here for you, and that means I'm going to do my best to create a Late Show that not only appeals to women but also celebrates their voices, Colbert said.
Read his full opinion piece here.
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert airs on US TV screens from 8 September.
