Photo: FLLewis/MediaCityG — Ellen Degeneres host of the 86th Academy Awards ceremony in Hollywood March 2, 2014
The entertainment community and the media are buzzing about who will get the call to replace the now retiring David Letterman on the CBS “Late Show.” The late night talk shows are dominated by males — so when the talk of someone who is edgy and fresh comes up — female comics like Ellen Degeneres, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Chelsea Handler are mentioned.
The Wrap is reporting Handler is in talks with CBS about the “Late Show.” Handler’s manager, announced recently she will be shutting down her E! talk show, “Chelsea Lately,” and moving on when her contract expires at the end of the year. However, Handler’s audience recognition may not be large enough for the “Late Show.”
Now, Ellen Degeneres is riding high after the 2014 Oscars. Degeneres’ “selfie” and “Big Mama’s and Papa’s” pizza delivery stunts are still being talked about. Degeneres ‘hosting duties on the Oscars and on her daytime talk show have introduced her to a wide audience. Comediennes, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, have similar exposure with red-hot careers and their very successful stints as hosts of the Golden Globes hosts. They all have potential — but if you really want to go to the edge of edgy — Joan Rivers is your woman.
A long time pro, Rivers was once the regular guest host of the “Tonight Show” for Johnny Carson. Rivers can be shocking, unpredictable, and very funny. I would stay up to watch a late night show hosted by Rivers. If it’s taped here in Burbank, the Media Capital of the World and former home of “The Tonight Show,” that would be even better.
