« Kilbs calls it quits »

Craig Kilborn is leaving the "Late Late Show" for some reason.

In two weeks they'll need someone else, but it's prompted me to think of who would replace him.

"Sussman's List of Possible Replacements for Craig Kilborn on the 'Late Late Show'" (a fancy title helps Google bring in more visitors.)

Conan O'Brien is the most likely candidate, because his contract expires in December. This would prompt him to become the successor to David Letterman, should he retire anytime. Jay Leno will most likely run longer than Letterman, so it's a possibility for Cones. Of course, he would have to go from NY to LA, most likely.

Jon Stewart would have been a sexy pick a while back, but he just re-signed with Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" for a few more years. He would have made it big though, and he is the best sit-down comic in television today.

Ellen DeGeneres won an Emmy for her new daytime talk show. Granted, all the soccer moms love her and wouldn't stay up late to see her, but she has the versatility to do a late night show with lots of success.

Dave Chappelle scored a hit with "Chappelle's Show." I don't believe an African-American has ever hosted a late night network show before, but has the talent to be the first. (David Alan Grier could do it too.)

Carson Daly isn't much of a fan favorite when it comes to the young male demographic, but he does have the cushy 1:35 time slot after Conan with "Last Call." If they offered it to him, he would probably take it.

Ryan Seacrest is as toolish as it gets. But his popularity from "American Idol" and his trademark sign-off "Seacrest out" could make for a John Madden-type "we're watching you because we're laughing at you" presence.
Jeff Probst is already on CBS, and how much longer will he want to host "Survivor?" How much longer will that show even last? While Probst has dreams of being a director, if they threw a show his way he wouldn't refuse it.
Harland Williams probably not going to be the next host, but he is a very versatile comedian along with my "dark horse" prediction. He's a comedian, writer, musician and even illustrator/author of his own children's book. That's what TV execs like to see—and I hope one day he gets his own show.

My fictional money is on Ellen being the successor to Kilby, but I don't know anything about her contractual obligations. Anyways, I took this time to create a new poll (bout damn time, right?) to let myself know what you think, before they name someone else. So vote, quick!

- posted by Suss @ 9:06 PM | Permanent Link To This Post