Since news broke last week that David Letterman would be retiring in 2015, the media has been obsessively trying to predict who would be tapped to replace him. There was talk of Chelsea Handler, Ellen DeGeneres, and even Jon Stewart, but yesterday CBS put the speculation to rest, announcing that Dave will be succeeded by none other than Colbert Report host – and the only man ever to appear on Maxim‘s Hot 100 list – Stephen Colbert.
Colbert is more than up to the challenge of hosting a late-night talk show, having gotten his start on The Daily Show before landing his own Comedy Central series in the coveted 11:30pm slot back in 2005.
On last night’s episode of The Colbert Report, the host seemed both gracious and gleeful as he spoke of his new gig, also noting that he has some serious work to do before 2015: “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go grind a gap in my front teeth.”
Watch the clip of Colbert’s announcement from last night’s episode, then get excited to welcome him to major network television next year. Your move, Fallon.
(Oh, and Stephen, if you’re reading this, we’re really sorry about that one time…)
Photos by Comedy Central