Aaron Berkowitz – General Assignment Reporter
After 4,010 episodes as the host of the Late Show and over 30 years of experience as a host on late night television, David Letterman announced his retirement from the show and revealed Stephen Colbert as his replacement.
Letterman said he will leave the show sometime in 2015 and that he had a great run. CBS announced Colbert as his replacement with a five-year contract that comes into action as soon as Letterman steps down.
Jamie Rowland, junior liberal arts major, said he is a fan of both hosts and he plans to watch the show when Colbert takes over.
“They’re both different but I think they’re both have funny personalities so I don’t think the quality of the show will change at all,” said Rowland.
Letterman has interviewed President Obama, Madonna, Paris Hilton and more icons in our society. Talk show hosts alike, such as Jimmy Kimmel, admire and respect Letterman’s legacy.
Kimmel tweeted “David Letterman is the best there is and ever was.”
Anna Maria Sachs, senior social work major, said she was never really into the Late Show but she thinks Stephen Colbert will be a good fit for a replacement.
“When I heard Colbert was taking over I was a little hesitant just because I really love the Colbert Report. I’m excited at the same time because I’m hoping they will bring some Colbert’s political ties into late night television and mix it with Letterman’s celebrity gossip aspect of the show,” said Sachs
Letterman will retire with many accolades such as two daytime Emmys, five primetime Emmys,
“He has one of the better shows on late night television, it’s usually what I find myself watching if I do watch TV. at night time,” said Rowland.
Rowland said he will be disappointed if Colbert were to bring down the quality of the show but he’s not doubting he will fit the position and make the show his own.
“It’d be a shame for the show to go down the drain, but I really like Colbert,” said Rowland. “There are only a few people I could see filling this position and he’s one of them.”
Sachs said she will be sad if the Colbert goes off the air when he assumes Letterman’s job. She also said since the two hosts are completely different, they should not be compared.
“I’m actually kind of sad because he had one of my favorite shows, but at least he will still be on the air,” said Sachs. “You can’t really compare them just because they both have different personalities that they bring to the screen.”
Colbert is definitely a good candidate for Letterman’s position if anyone is, as he also has three Emmy awards under his belt, interviewed Bill Clinton and got him to join Twitter as @PrezBillyJeff.
John Stewart, Colbert’s Comedy Central colleague, said he is confident he will follow up Letterman’s performance accordingly and he deserves the opportunity.
“While we wish Dave the absolute best for a well-earned retirement, there’s no greater joy than seeing a genuinely good man who works as hard as he can every day and deserves all the success in the world actually get that success. For Stephen, we’re just thrilled,” said Stewart in a tribute to Colbert during his show on Comedy Central.
