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Source: CBS
Stephen Colbert has spent the last few months in a difficult position, simultaneously looking back and looking forward. He signed a contract to star in a film about based on The Lord of the Rings« , he had touching farewells with Emma Stone and other major stars, and he gave interviews trying to close out this phase of his career. Most recently, he called his appearance in «The Late Show» as David Letterman was leaving, "a happy accident" and shared a touching story about why he ultimately decided to take a seat at the legendary table.
How Stephen Colbert and David Letterman "Crossed Perfectly"«
Colbert laid the foundation for his relationship with David Letterman. There was a 17-year age difference between them, and Letterman was just beginning his career when the other late-night host reached adulthood. Their bond deepened years later, when the fate of «The Late Show» .
It was a happy accident. This job was never my dream. I mean, I love Johnny Carson, I grew up on his show, and I was a first-generation David Letterman. Like, his first year on the late-night show coincided with my first year of college. So we were a perfect fit. I was just his primary audience. They basically offered me the job, and then four months later, Dave left. And they said, «Hey, we're serious. Do you want to do this?» I said, «Yeah, I do.».
It would seem like a simple decision. By that time, Colbert already had extensive experience in front of the camera: he had worked in The Daily Show , and then led for almost 10 years The Colbert Report . But late-night talk shows on network television were a whole different budget juggernaut (as fans later learned). Late Night ), and agreeing to this role was a big event for the comedian.
The actor told People magazine that he spent four months seeing a therapist to make sure he truly wanted to replace Letterman. It's a big responsibility, and it's not a decision one signs lightly. Part of the problem was that he desperately wanted to talk to his mother, to whom he was very close, but she had already died. So, he called his sister, Mary, instead. Luckily for CBS, Mary "sealed the deal" for the late-night show host.
Nobody except my family knew I'd been offered the job. And I asked my sister, Mary, "Mary, could you come?"—she lives in Washington.—"Could you come to New York? I just want to talk to you about something." She said, "Sure," and got on the train. She came back the next day and said, "What's going on?" "Well, you know, Dave's leaving." And she just broke into a huge smile. And I said, "Okay, okay, Mary. If the show works out, CBS should send you a bouquet of flowers. Because I'm taking the job, because you just smiled." Her happiness that I got the job—that's what finally sold me.
2015 was an exciting year. First issue «Late Show» Colbert's arrival saw a 203% increase compared to the same period the previous year. Colbert's arrival kicked off a ratings race with Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon that would continue for years. Unfortunately, however, the huge number of cable and broadcast subscribers they had enjoyed for decades disappeared.
As these figures fell, so did advertising revenue. By the end The Late Show« was losing $40 million a year, as CBS recently confirmed. The show ended last week after months of preparation, but once it ended, it was final. Colbert even said the crew had to quickly leave the CBS studio when it was all over.
I don't know if Colbert, who was talking to his sister Mary, knew that this was how it would end, but I'm glad he had this pleasant memory.