O’Brien: Colbert ‘right person’ to do ‘Late Show’ | Inquirer Entertainment

O’Brien: Colbert ‘right person’ to do ‘Late Show’

/ 12:53 PM April 12, 2014

In this Dec. 12, 2013, file photo, talk show host Conan O’Brien arrives for the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences awards in Moffett Field, Calif. AP FILE PHOTO

LOS ANGELES, California—Don’t feel bad for Conan O’Brien. Again.

The 50-year-old talk show host said he was never a contender to take over CBS’ the “Late Show” when David Letterman announced his retirement last week. The funnyman, who has hosted his talk show “Conan” on TBS since 2010, said he believes Stephen Colbert is the “right person” to take over the show from Letterman.

Article continues after this advertisement

“I wasn’t up for it,” O’Brien said backstage Friday during a break from rehearsing for Sunday’s MTV Movie Awards, which he’s hosting for the first time. “I’m very happy where I am, but I love Stephen. I think Stephen is great. I’m a huge fan of his as a comic and as a human being. I think it’s fantastic. I’m really glad that he got the job. I look forward to seeing his show.”

FEATURED STORIES

O’Brien originally succeeded Letterman on NBC’s “Late Night” in 1993 when Letterman moved to CBS to headline the “Late Show.” O’Brien infamously replaced Jay Leno as host of NBC’s “The Tonight Show” for a mere seven months beginning in 2009 before Leno was reinstated as host in 2010.

“I was very happy because I have such respect for Dave,” O’Brien said. “I’m glad that it’s the right person getting it.”

Article continues after this advertisement

O’Brien, who has appeared as a guest on Letterman’s show, said he’s excited to see the “Colbert Report” host tackle the “Late Show,” but he definitely didn’t apply for the gig.

Article continues after this advertisement

“Whenever I would hear there was speculation (that I’d take over the ‘Late Show’), I was like, ‘No. What?’ I’m happy,” said O’Brien, whose TBS talk show has been renewed through November 2015. “I get to do what I want.”

Article continues after this advertisement

RELATED STORIES

Stephen Colbert to replace Letterman on late show

Article continues after this advertisement

Stern on ‘Late Show’ job: ‘My plate is full’

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

TAGS: Conan O'Brien, Entertainment, Late Show, Stephen Colbert

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.