The Late Show is an American late-night talk show franchise on CBS. Two men have hosted the Late Show: David Letterman (1993–2015) and Stephen Colbert (2015–present).
“Late Show with David Letterman” is an hour-long weeknight comedy and talk show broadcast by CBS from the Ed Sullivan Theater on Broadway in New York City and is produced and hosted by David Letterman. The show's music director and bandleader of the house band, the CBS Orchestra, is Paul Shaffer. The head writers are brothers Justin Stangel and Eric Stangel. The announcer is Alan Kalter, who replaced Bill Wendell as announcer in 1995. The show airs at night, but is recorded the afternoon of the broadcast.
Improv actor and comic Stephen Colbert leaves his "The Colbert Report" character behind as he makes his long-awaited return to television. As the host of The Late Show franchise redux taped at the historic Ed Sullivan Theatre at New York Colbert talks to actors, athletes, politicians, comics, artists and musicians as himself for the first time. Loyal fans, however, will also be treated to consistency as Colbert remains backed by many members of his writing and digital team from his former venture. Julliard-trained Jon Batiste serves as the bandleader.