Stephen Colbert Gives Emotional Sendoff to ‘Late Show’ Showrunner (VIDEO)
On Monday, Stephen Colbert gave a heartfelt send-off to Chris Licht as The Late Show showrunner exits the program to become the new Chairman and CEO of CNN Global.
Colbert credited Licht for helping turn things around for the late-night talk show, praising his “humility” and “wisdom.” After working together for six years, the late-night host said he grew to love and respect Licht as a friend and co-worker.
“I wasn’t sure whether I would like him, whether we would become friends, because we’re all show folk here, and Chris is not,” Colbert stated on Monday’s episode of The Late Show. “I didn’t know whether I’d like him, but six years later, I love you, Chris.”
It was confirmed on Monday that Licht will become the new head of CNN when Discovery and WarnerMedia merge this spring. “While I have enjoyed every minute at The Late Show, I am joining CNN because I feel a genuine pull to return to news at such a critical moment in history,” Licht wrote in a memo to staffers Monday morning.
Colbert joked that he “trained the next President of CNN,” adding, “I believe legally CNN now stands for the Colbert News Network. Obviously Chris is still under contract, so we’re going to have to do this like a baseball trade. If CNN is taking Chris, I’m going to take Wolf Blitzer’s beard.”
On a more serious note, Colbert explained that Licht, a former executive producer of MSNBC’s Morning Joe and CBS This Morning, arrived not knowing “anything about comedy or show business.” This meant that he “approached the job with a level of humility that is rare in executives,” according to Colbert.
“There are bosses and then there are leaders,” Colbert continued. “Bosses tell you what to do. Leaders work as hard as you do to do what needs to be done, and that’s what [Chris] did. That’s why he earned the respect from all of us here who live in the clown car… I’m happy that CNN will now benefit from all of his wisdom.”
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Weeknights, 11:35/10:35c, CBS
