Stephen Colbert is reportedly attached as an executive producer, though original host Chris Hardwick is not expected to be involved.
After nearly 30 years of operating as a nightclub host, it appears CBS is ready to ditch “The Late Late Show” after current host James Corden departs at the end of this season.
According to multiple media outlets, citing sources from both The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline, The Eye is looking at a revival of a popular format that ran on Comedy Central from 2013 to 2017. CBS declined to comment on either outlet.
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Hosted by Chris Hardwick, “@midnight” was a panel show featuring three comedic guests. Every night he asked them different questions about Internet topics, which led to discussions, games and lots of jokes. With assistance from “Late Night” host Stephen Colbert as executive producer, “@midnight” is reportedly set to kick off with a reboot.
Developed by Funny or Die, the original series won two Emmys for creative achievement in interactive media on social TV. Although Hardwick’s comedic voice was instrumental, he is not expected to be involved in this new version. Both CBS and Comedy Central are owned by Paramount Global.
Financials play a big role here, according to Deadline’s report, as CBS president and CEO George Cheeks is looking for an alternative format. Reportedly, the network is looking to cut the $60 million annual cost of producing Corden’s “Late Late” to something closer to $35 million a year.
First launched in 1995, Tom Snyder was the first host of ‘The Late Late Show’. A journalist rather than a comedian, Snyder’s show was more of a straightforward interview-driven series.
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After leaving “The Daily Show”, Craig Kilborn took over “The Late Late Show” in 1999, returning the show to a more traditional late-night format. He would stay until 2004 when he chose not to renew his contract.
Craig Ferguson became the longest-serving presenter when he took over the following year, with a unique deconstruction of the talk show format, complete puppets, absurd humor and finally a robot sidekick.
He was eventually succeeded by Corden, who made the show go viral with popular segments like “Carpool Karaoke,” “Drop the Mic,” “Crosswalk the Musical,” and “Spill Your Guts or Fill Your Guts.”
Prior to his retirement, David Letterman was in control of the show that aired behind him through his Worldwide Pants production company. When he left, CBS became the sole producer of Corden’s show, so it would make sense for them to offer Colbert involvement in what’s next on his show.
Colbert has already expanded his portfolio to include producing credits for Comedy Central’s “Hell of a Week with Charlamagne Tha God” and “Tooning Out the News.” He, of course, rose to fame himself on the network as a “Daily Show” correspondent and eventually host of “The Colbert Report” from 2005 to 2014, taking over “Late Night” the following year.