File picture of comic Stephen Colbert.
Los Angeles:
US comic Stephen Colbert will succeed TV icon David Letterman as host of the "Late Show" next year, CBS said on Thursday, in the latest step in a changing of the late-night old guard.
Colbert, who has presented the award-winning Colbert Report satirical show since 2005, paid tribute to Letterman as someone that other late-night hosts look up to.
"Simply being a guest on David Letterman's show has been a highlight of my career," he said, adding: "I never dreamed that I would follow in his footsteps, though everyone in late night follows Dave's lead.
"I'm thrilled and grateful that CBS chose me. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go grind a gap in my front teeth," he said, referring to Letterman's gap-toothed smile.
Letterman, a pillar of American late-night TV talk shows, announced last week that he will be stepping down as host of "Late Night" on CBS next year after a 22-year run.
Colbert - who got into hot water recently over offensive language on Asian Americans - has agreed to a five-year deal with CBS, starting after Letterman stands down some time in 2015, said CBS boss Leslie Moonves.
Sixty-six year-old Letterman's announcement is the latest element in a merry-go-round of changes bringing a younger generation of hosts to the fore in the US late-night landscape.
In February 39-year-old Jimmy Fallon took over at NBC's "Tonight Show" after Letterman's long-time rival Jay Leno, 63, announced his departure. Fallon was replaced by "Saturday Night Live" star Seth Myers.
The changes have also involved some geographical rivalry: Leno taped "The Tonight Show" in Los Angeles, but the show moved to New York with Fallon.
That left Jimmy Kimmel as the only major late-night host still on the West Coast. Letterman also tapes in New York.
But tellingly, CBS did not specify Thursday where the Colbert "Late Show" will be made, saying the location "will be determined and announced at a later date."
Letterman's "Late Show" is famous for Letterman's witty repartee with A-list celebrity guests, his satirical top-10 lists and a raft of regular features including a segment dedicated to clever animals called Stupid Pet Tricks.
Colbert triggered a firestorm on social media last month after attacking the owner of the Washington Redskins who refuses to change the American football team's name, which is considered derogatory by many Native Americans.
The 49-year-old, who plays a tempestuous conservative commentator on his popular "Colbert Report" late-night TV show, stressed that his over-the-top jibes were meant as parody.
Colbert, who has presented the award-winning Colbert Report satirical show since 2005, paid tribute to Letterman as someone that other late-night hosts look up to.
"Simply being a guest on David Letterman's show has been a highlight of my career," he said, adding: "I never dreamed that I would follow in his footsteps, though everyone in late night follows Dave's lead.
"I'm thrilled and grateful that CBS chose me. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go grind a gap in my front teeth," he said, referring to Letterman's gap-toothed smile.
Letterman, a pillar of American late-night TV talk shows, announced last week that he will be stepping down as host of "Late Night" on CBS next year after a 22-year run.
Colbert - who got into hot water recently over offensive language on Asian Americans - has agreed to a five-year deal with CBS, starting after Letterman stands down some time in 2015, said CBS boss Leslie Moonves.
Sixty-six year-old Letterman's announcement is the latest element in a merry-go-round of changes bringing a younger generation of hosts to the fore in the US late-night landscape.
In February 39-year-old Jimmy Fallon took over at NBC's "Tonight Show" after Letterman's long-time rival Jay Leno, 63, announced his departure. Fallon was replaced by "Saturday Night Live" star Seth Myers.
The changes have also involved some geographical rivalry: Leno taped "The Tonight Show" in Los Angeles, but the show moved to New York with Fallon.
That left Jimmy Kimmel as the only major late-night host still on the West Coast. Letterman also tapes in New York.
But tellingly, CBS did not specify Thursday where the Colbert "Late Show" will be made, saying the location "will be determined and announced at a later date."
Letterman's "Late Show" is famous for Letterman's witty repartee with A-list celebrity guests, his satirical top-10 lists and a raft of regular features including a segment dedicated to clever animals called Stupid Pet Tricks.
Colbert triggered a firestorm on social media last month after attacking the owner of the Washington Redskins who refuses to change the American football team's name, which is considered derogatory by many Native Americans.
The 49-year-old, who plays a tempestuous conservative commentator on his popular "Colbert Report" late-night TV show, stressed that his over-the-top jibes were meant as parody.
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
