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Replacing David Letterman: the comics who would shake up late night

Who will replace David Letterman? Well, it won't be the ever-cussing Craig Ferguson, that's for sure. People have mentioned Stephen Colbert and some other possibles...this article is kind of fanciful I think

Late night television has been dominated by the same old white dudes for decades, but with a top slot opening up, that could all change. Here's who we'd like to see take the chair

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Aziz Ansari's manic energy could be just the thing late night needs to wake up. Photograph: NBC/Rex Features

Late night television, especially of the network variety, has always been an oligarchy. Sure, there have been some upstarts over the years, but the positions at the major networks have been held for decades by the same old men. That's longer than the internet and longer than all Kardashian marriages combined.

So it was huge news yesterday when, after 22 years at the helm of The Late Show, David Letterman announced that he was retiring in 2015, leaving one of those coveted spots open. Sure, there are some very obvious successors, like Conan O’Brien, who was shuttled off to TBS after Jay Leno’s first unsuccessful retirement, and Craig Ferguson, who anchors the extremely offbeat show that follows Letterman’s, but either choice would just add to the lily-white sausage fest. What would it take to get something other than a straight white man in Dave’s chair? Probably a lot, but here are few people who could rise to the occasion.

Neil Patrick Harris

Neil Patrick Harris. Photograph: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

This would be an easy sell to the networks because he’s essentially just another white dude. But at least he’s a white dude engaged to another white dude! Harris has been a pro hosting the Tonys and Emmys and was in the CBS family until How I Met Your Mother signed off recently. That means he’s free for the next big thing, and would certainly bring a lot of pizazz when most people are dozing off.

Aisha Tyler

Tyler is one of those extremely talented women that Hollywood just doesn’t know what the heck to do with. She was brilliant when she hosted the final year of Talk Soup and she’s lovely as one of the panelists on The Talk, but she could be doing so much more. She’s personable, funny, unflappable, and can sit with a guest.

Ellen DeGeneres

Ellen Degeneres hosting the Oscars. Photograph: Gary Hershorn/Reuters/REUTERS

Lesbians have long been the secret weapons of daytime television, so maybe one can change the late night game around? Ellen essentially already runs a show that follows the monologue, sketch, celebrity interview format. The only thing that would have to change is when your DVR records it.

DL Hughley

This comedian has worked for CNN and he’s no stranger to late night either: he was a correspondent for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and frequently appeared as a guest. Sitting behind the desk uses a different skill set, but he definitely has the hosting savvy and a brand of humor that could make him edgy without alienating the network audience.

Julie Klausner

Sure, you’ve never heard of her. Sure, this suggestion is leftfield, but it might be an absolutely brilliant idea. Klausner is a comedy writer and host of the incredibly popular How Was Your Week podcast. She’s funny, energetic, off-the-cuff, and has a love of pop culture that could rival Jimmy Fallon’s. She’s also one of the best interviewers in the whole damn world. She might have what it takes to make segments go viral in the increasingly internet-orientated late night game. Though like Conan O’Brien, another relatively unknown redhead, she might be better for a 12:30 slot while she perfects her game.

Aziz Ansari

Most of his recent standup has involved interacting with the audience and asking about their sex and dating lives. That’s not exactly like asking Cameron Diaz about the craft services on her latest movie, but it sure is something close. His somewhat manic energy could be just the thing late night needs to wake up and, honestly, Parks and Recreation wouldn’t miss him all that much.

Sarah Silverman

Sarah Silverman Photograph: JB Lacroix/WireImage

Another incredibly talented woman that Hollywood doesn’t know what to do with. She’s not great as an actor and while she’s an excellent comedian, sticking to standup alone seems like squandering a gift. She has tons of Hollywood friends and would be willing to do anything for a laugh, but her constant envelope-pushing might garner her a lot of enemies. It would sure be fun to watch though and it would be especially fun to see her duke it out with ex-boyfriend Jimmy Kimmel on ABC.

Amy Poehler and Tina Fey

Amy Poehler, Rachel Dratch and Tina Fey during SNL's Weekend Update. Photograph: NBC/NBC via Getty Images

Okay, this is a total pipe dream, but everyone I know would watch the hell out of this show. Amy and Tina are a comedy dream team at the Golden Globes and having their palpable chemistry in your home every night would get plenty of people to tune in. They have just the right balance of showbiz reference without bowing down to it in an obsequious way. Sure, neither would want to play second fiddle, but maybe they could take turns hosting? Who cares? Let’s just make this happen.