Stephen Colbert Is Reportedly CBS’ ‘Top Choice’ to Replace Letterman

A new report from Mashable says that in looking for someone to replace the retiring David Letterman, there is one man at the top of CBS’ list: Stephen Colbert. Yes, the Colbert Nation could soon be coming to CBS, just without the satirical persona Colbert developed for years on The Colbert Report.

Letterman is planning to depart some time in 2015, and Colbert’s Comedy Central contract is up at the end of 2014. Anonymous sources close to the deal tell Mashable not only is CBS really pushing for Colbert to take the spot, but he’s very willing to accept it. CBS has, of course, been talking to lots of people about the spot (including Jon Stewart), but they say Colbert is “the front-and-center candidate.”

Craig Ferguson, who’s followed Letterman since 2005 on The Late Late Show, reportedly has a contract with right of first refusal on the coveted timeslot, but it’s not clear Ferguson would want to leave the 12:35 slot.

Hollywood reporter Nikki Finke said yesterday, mere hours after Letterman’s retirement was announced, that sources told her the same thing: Colbert’s first in line for the job.

Letterman 2015 Replacement: My sources say Stephen Colbert "the only one on the air currently that CBS is considering."

— Nikki Finke (@NikkiFinke) April 3, 2014

[photo via screengrab]

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Follow Josh Feldman on Twitter: @feldmaniac

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