Sorry, Norm Macdonald: British actor-comedian James Corden is officially replacing Craig Fergusonas host ofCBSLate Late Show.The network made the announcement on Monday, according to The Hollywood Reporter, with CBS entertainment chairman Nina Tassler calling Corden the ultimate multi-hyphenate a writer, creator and performer who is loved and respected in every medium he touches, including theater, comedy, music, film and television.
Though hes relatively obscure in the U.S., the 36-year-old Corden maintains a sizable presence in the U.K. His first major success came in 2007, as co-creator and star of the acclaimed TV comedy Gavin and Stacey. Hes since found a variety of disparate work from hosting gigs (the sports-centric game showA League of Their Own) to TV writing and acting (the comedy-thriller BBC seriesThe Wrong Mans) to roles in major films (2013sBegin Again) to stage roles on Broadway (his Tony-winning performance in One Man, Two Guvnors) to voice acting.
Ferguson announcedhis Late Late Showdeparture back in April, with his final taping scheduled for an unspecified datein December. The comedian spent a decade hosting the show, which airs at 12:35 a.m. following David LettermansLate Show. Of course, his late-night departure is only one piece of a massive late-night exodus: Stephen Colbert will be leaving his beloved Colbert Report at the end of 2014 to replace David Letterman onLate Show, while Larry Wilmore will fill Colberts Comedy Central void with his upcoming show,The Minority Report With Larry Wilmore. Meanwhile, Chelsea Handler aired her final installment of long-running E! seriesChelsea Latelyin late August.
At least theres some stability in the talk show game: Conan OBrienrecently renewed his contract with TBS, securingConanon airwaves until 2018.