Comedy CentralWould you expect anything else from Stephen Colbert?
The funnyman clearly had to address the big news that he will be taking David Letterman's late-night hosting gig during The Colbert Report tonight, but he did it in true Colbert fashion.
"There was some big news last week that slipped through my news crack and it concerns someone that I've admired for years and yet surprisingly is not me. I'm talking about David Letterman, who last Thursday night announced his retirement," he began to tell the audience. "And I am gonna miss this good man."
"Dave has been on the air my entire adult life. Late Night debuted my first year in college. I learned more from watching Dave than I did from going to my classes. Especially the ones i did not go to because I stayed up until 1:30 a.m. watching Dave. This man has influenced every host who came after him, even a few who came before him, he's that good," Colbert continued.
"And I gotta tell you, I do not envy whoever they try to put in that chair. Folks, those are some huge shoes to fill and some really big pants."
CBS officially announced Colbert would be replacing Letterman Thursday morning, the network inking a five-year deal with the incoming host.
"Simply being a guest on David Letterman's show has been a highlight of my career," Colbert said in a statement. "I never dreamed that I would follow in his footsteps, though everyone in late night follows Dave's lead. I'm thrilled and grateful that CBS chose me. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go grind a gap in my front teeth."