By now, you've likely heard that CBS confirmed David Letterman's replacement for Late Night already, little more than a week since he announced his retirement. And, your new host, ladies and gentlemen, is Stephen Colbert of Colbert Report fame.
The news made me heave a big sigh, even if it wasn't a surprised sigh. CBS wouldn't be CBS if it was unpredictable, but even for them, Colbert seems far too safe. And far worse, it seems like a waste of talent.
Let me be clear: I'm not condemning or criticizing Colbert's talents as a comedian and host. He's proved time and time again on his Comedy Central program his natural stage presence and quick wit, and he's endured on a network that quickly churns through new comedic talent.
In fact, what's wrong with the Colbert Report? In this humble writer's opinion, one of Colbert's greatest strengths is improvisation and staying in character. He's mastered his ultra-conservative alter ego so well. The series is about a specific sort of political and cultural satire framed around Colbert's talents, and I'll be sad to see him leave it behind for the Late Show.
Whereas Colbert's show has always been about injecting common sense into the nonsensical world of politics, network talk shows continue to be a medium that exists primarily to showcase celebrities. I'd be interested to see if Colbert could breathe life into the monotonous topical monologues, given his history in satire, servicing celebrities would rob him of the barbed comments he's allowed to speak on his current show.
Simply put, he'd be relegated more strictly to the role of host, and his knack for acting and character-based improvisation would only show up in sketches.
David Letterman has hosted the show for over 30 years, and so much has changed in those 30 years, particularly in relation to the people we see on television. It isn't simply handsome white males anymore, but late night television (particularly network television) continues to act like it is.
I'm not one to promote diversity for the sake of diversity, but this medium is stagnant and in desperate need of fresh takes that only cable seems to be offering. Seeing a woman or a black man take the reins could see the show bring in a whole new demographic, and there are no shortage of good choices.
Even someone involved in alt-comedy, or someone who has a different sort of presence would have been nice. Am I alone in wondering what Late Night would look like with a schlubby comedian at the helm, like Louis CK? Or even someone as unpredictably insane as Eric Andre?
Alas, the decision has been made, and it's hard to imagine a world where Colbert steps down from such an illustrious position anytime soon. His Late Show will be funny to be sure, but will it be anything new, at a time when network TV desperately needs new? Don't count on it.