Entertainment

New Orleans Wants 'The Late Show'

by Lia Beck

New Orleans is looking to get the Colbert bump. The city's mayor, Mitch Landrieu has written a letter to CBS asking that Stephen Colbert's Late Show move to New Orleans. Landrieu wrote to CBS Chairman and CEO Les Moonves listing an number of reasons why the city should be considered when Colbert takes over upon Letterman's retirement in 2015. The show is currently filmed in New York City at the Ed Sullivan theater, but along with New York, Los Angeles has expressed interest in hosting Colbert's show.

Landrieu says in the letter,

Though it may seem like an unlikely fit, New Orleans and The Late Show or its successor would be a great fit. New Orleans is a brand unto itself and is particularly attractive for the key demographic you are trying to reach. We offer you not only our unique culture and rich history but attractive business incentives for film production.

Landrieu goes on to list tax credits and Lousiana's booming film market as benefits, pointing out that 18 major motion pictures including 12 Years a Slave, Dallas Buyer's Club, and The Butler, were all filmed in "Hollywood South" in 2013.

The chances of NOLA actually ending up as host of Colbert's Late Show are slim as late night talk shows are always filmed in New York or LA. Also, there's the issue of guest appearances. If an actor goes to New York or Los Angeles to promote a film, they can make the rounds and go to multiple shows in one day; New Orleans won't provide this opportunity.

There's a chance that CBS will want to mix things up — They brought on Colbert, why not keep getting crazy and send him to Louisiana? — but it's likely this will end up just as a valiant effort from a hopeful mayor.