With the news Thursday that Stephen Colbert will replace David Letterman as host of “Late Show” on CBS, one late-night guessing game is now over. But another — who will now replace Colbert at Comedy Central — has just begun.
Colbert’s premiere date won’t be announced until Letterman decides on a timetable for his retirement in 2015, but it’s never too early to start the speculation on who could inherit the coveted spot after “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.” Here are our five picks.
Jason Jones
He’s been with “The Daily Show” for almost nine years — one more than Colbert when he was plucked from the show to start “The Colbert Report” in 2005. Like Colbert, Jones has proved a fearless interviewer — killing it in his recent Sochi Olympics series reporting from Russia on the country’s anti-gay laws (where he tracked down former Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev, who hadn’t been seen in years). Plus a move to 11:30 would still keep him close by his wife (“Daily Show” correspondent Samantha Bee).
W. Kamau Bell
His late-night show “Totally Biased” only lasted two seasons on FX and FXX — but the network execs loved the comic despite the low ratings. Comedy Central’s established presence in late night could be just the thing Bell needs to find an audience.
Chris Hardwick
The Nerdist founder has already seen success with his social media game show “@midnight” on Comedy Central — but what’s to stop the network from moving it up a half-hour? (We could even see them ironically keeping the name.) The “Daily Show” lead-in could help boost the ratings even more while the network develops another talent in the later midnight slot.
Nikki Glaser
The very funny comedienne has late-night experience, hosting the short-lived “Nikki & Sara Live” on MTV with Sara Schaefer in 2013. Plus, she’s already got ties to Comedy Central as a regular guest on “@midnight.”
Kristen Schaal
In another option to promote from within, the network could give the slot to Schaal, who has been a “Daily Show” correspondent since 2008. Though her appearances are less frequent than the regular contributors’, her takes as the show’s senior women’s correspondent are always hilarious — and could fit well with Comedy Central’s recent success with female-fronted shows “Inside Amy Schumer” and “Broad City.”