Opening his Comedy Central talk show by paying tribute to the veteran comedian, Colbert says, 'I do not envy whoever they try to put in that chair. Those are some huge shoes to fill.'
- Apr 11, 2014
AceShowbiz - Stephen Colbert has his own way to address his new "Late Show" gig. Hours after it was officially announced that he would replace David Letterman on the CBS talk show, he paid homage to the veteran comedian and addressed Letterman's retirement, without mentioning that he would take over the "Late Show".
"There was some big news last week that slipped through my news crack, and it concerns someone I've admired for years, and yet surprisingly is not me," Colbert said in his monologue. "I'm talking about David Letterman, who last Thursday night announced his retirement."
"And I am going to miss this good man," he said. "Dave has been on the air my entire adult life! I learned more from watching Dave than I did from going to my classes - especially the ones I did not go to because I had stayed up until 1:30 watching Dave."
"I do not envy whoever they try to put in that chair," Colbert quipped, before adding, "Those are some huge shoes to fill and some really big pants."
Jon Stewart, meanwhile, saw Colbert's upcoming move as a good thing. "The exciting news today is I no longer need a cable subscription for the privilege of watching Stephen Colbert," he stated. "Our good friend Stephen Colbert will be heading to CBS to take over 'The Late Show' from, for at least me, the comedian broadcaster who is the best there ever was, David Letterman."
"I think Stephen Colbert is up for the challenge," Stewart said. "While we wish Dave the absolute best for a well-earned retirement, there's no greater joy for 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."
Jimmy Fallon has also congratulated Colbert. "Of course, I want to say congratulations to our pal Stephen Colbert, who will be taking over for David Letterman next year. We're very happy for that guy. He's very funny. He's a good friend," he said on the "Tonight Show" monologue.
He continued, "Now, a lot of people in the media are already talking about there being a new late night war - and I just want to say there's not going to be any war. It'll be a dance off. A late night dance off! Get ready, Stephen."
Stephen Colbert Addresses 'Late Show' Gig:
Jimmy Fallon Congratulates Stephen Colbert:
