Photo: BEImages/Gregory Pace.One more late-night slot has been taken off the market (don't worry, aspirants — Craig Ferguson's job is still up for grabs). Though there's no replacing the droll faux-conservatism of Stephen Colbert, Comedy Central has appointed a successor to take over the post-Daily Show slot.
Appropriately enough, the man in question is, like Colbert, a Daily Show alum. And, unlike the majority of late night hosts, he also happens to be black.
Meet Larry Wilmore, who will host The Minority Report beginning in January, after Colbert moves to CBS to take on the Late Show. Currently serving as "senior black correspondent" on The Daily Show, Wilmore is a 52-year-old actor, writer, and producer who has appeared in films including Dinner for Schmucks. You might also recognize him from The Office episode in which he leads a Diversity Day training session gone terribly wrong.
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“I’m beyond excited to have this chance to continue my relationships with Comedy Central and the brilliant Jon Stewart," said Wilmore, who won an Emmy for writing the pilot episode of The Bernie Mac Show. "I love the city of New York and promise to only wear my Laker T-shirts when I’m layering."
Given Wilmore's penchant for talking race in a candid and thoughtful way, this hiring is the breath of fresh air late night needs. We're just wondering if he'll will carry on in the tradition of his predecessor and pronounce "Report" without a "t."
After all, it would rhyme with "Wilmore." (Variety)