CBS is ditching “The Late Late Show” entirely when host James Corden leaves in the spring, replacing it with a Stephen Colbert-produced reboot of “@midnight,” Deadline reported Tuesday.
The surprise move would give “The Late Show” host Colbert, who fills the time slot ahead of Corden, “another time slot he’s involved in,” the show’s outlet wrote, citing no specific sources. Variety published a similar report attributed to a “person with knowledge of the matter.”
“@midnight” aired on Comedy Central from 2013 to 2017 and saw guests compete in Internet-inspired improv games. Original host Chris Hardwick is not expected to return in that capacity, Deadline reported.
CBS declined to comment.
“The Late Late Show” first aired in 1995 with Tom Snyder as host. Hosts Craig Kilborn and Craig Ferguson were replaced by Corden, a British comedian and actor who took over in 2015.
Last April, Corden announced he was leaving the show.
Corden added memorable “Late Late Show” hits like “Carpool Karaoke” and “Crosswalk the Musical.”
Recently, however, his affable image took a PR hit when he was accused of verbally abusing servers at Balthazar restaurant in Manhattan. He also faced accusations that he copied a line from fellow British comedian Ricky Gervais.
