When James Corden exits “The Late Late Show” this Spring, it won’t only mark the end of his hosting but of the show as well after almost three decades says THR.
CBS will reportedly reboot the Comedy Central online-themed panel game show “@midnight” and use it as a replacement. That series saw three guests competing in a series of improv games with rounds like Rapid Refresh, Hashtag Wars and Live Challenges.
The original @midnight ran for 600 episodes between 2013 and 2017. Chris Hardwick, who hosted the original series, is not expected to have direct involvement in the reboot which Stephen Colbert will executive produce and is being produced under the comedy brand Funny or Die.
“The Late Late Show” currently costs just over $60 million a year to produce and CBS is aiming for a replacement that comes in at half that much whilst also freshening up the format.
@midnight reportedly beat out a number of contenders in consideration, and the aim is also to appeal to a slightly younger audience who generally watch online or through clips on social media.
“The Late Late Show” first aired on CBS in January 1995 with Tom Synder hosting followed by Craig Kilborn, Craig Ferguson and Corden. NBC’s “Late Night with Seth Meyers” now remains the only talk show in that time slot, but with that network moving out of 10pm scripted drama it could impact the future of Meyers and Jimmy Fallon’s shows.
