David Letterman recently announced he would be leaving his late night talk show and retiring. He did not announce a successor (as NBC did when Jay Leno left The Tonight Show). Speculation is running wild as to who will inherit David’s throne. The names of possible successors are all men except for one: Chelsea Handler. Her name is also being mentioned for Dave’s replacement. She broke the glass ceiling for women to enter this all boy’s club.
Chelsea would be a good replacement for Dave. Chelsea’s show, Chelsea Lately, has been very successful. The show airs on cable on E!. She talks very openly about herself. Chelsea always has a story about her drug use and love of vodka. She shares every embarrassing story from her personal life with her fans. Pictures sometimes accompany these stories. Chelsea has nothing to hide. She even brings her dog, Chunk, on set. Chelsea gives sometimes too honest opinions regarding the day’s topics on the round table.
One might think Chelsea would not be a good fit for network television. She has been scolded for things she said on The Tonight Show as well as her own show. I think she is the perfect replacement for Dave. Chelsea would be a breath of fresh air on network television. However, her bosses would have to agree to let Chelsea be herself. Playing it safe is not Chelsea’s style.
It was recently announced Chelsea is leaving E! and her show at the end of her contract in December 2014. If Chelsea went to CBS it would elevate her in the late night world. Chelsea can more than handle rolling with the big boys at the network level.
Chelsea’s manager, Irving Azoff, said he has several suitors for her but declined to say who they were. Chelsea’s fans are not happy she is ending her show. Her reason for leaving is that she is unhappy at her current network.
You can watch Chelsea on her show Chelsea Lately Monday through Thursday at 11pm on E! You can also catch Chelsea on tour supporting her New York Times bestselling book, Uganda Be Kidding Me.
Update: The Wrap reports that Chelsea was already in talks with CBS for her own late night show prior to David Letterman announcing his retirement. Is this a coincidence – of course not. CBS is allowing Letterman to leave gracefully rather than firing him the way NBC did Leno. Chelsea has this job all sewn up. You watch and see.
Image credit to FameFlynet
