Who Took Over the David Letterman Show
Stephen Colbert took over the David Letterman show as the host of the Late Show franchise. Colbert officially became the permanent host on September 8, 2015, after Letterman announced his retirement in 2014.
Why Did David Letterman Leave Late Night
David Letterman left late night television after more than three decades of hosting. He cited a desire to spend more time with his family and to step away from the demanding nightly schedule.
How the Late Show Transitioned to Colbert
CBS retained the Late Show format and moved it to a new studio with updated production elements. Colbert brought his own interviewing style while keeping the core late night structure that Letterman had helped define.
What Changed After the Host Transition
The show kept its late night time slot and broad comedy focus. Colbert introduced a new on-air persona and updated segments while maintaining the franchise's long running identity. For more details on the transition, see the Late Show with Stephen Colbert overview at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Late_Show_with_Stephen_Colbert
