Chelsea Handler is in talks with CBS for a late-night talk show, an individual close to the producer and “Chelsea Lately” E! network host told TheWrap. Handler has stated in an interview with Howard Stern that she wants to leave E! at the end of her contract (which ends late this year) and do a different show for something like Netflix, where her fans can watch at their convenience.
From The Wrap story: “CBS contacted Handler to discuss the potential of hosting a syndicated show…But Handler has told CBS that she isn’t interested in that option. As a result, CBS then expressed interest in considering Handler for Craig Ferguson’s 12:30 a.m. slot.
She will be meeting with CBS Corp.’s chairman and CEO Les Moonves in the next few weeks to continue the discussions of joining CBS’s late-night lineup, the individual said. But, Letterman’s retirement announcement on Thursday has changed the landscape for her. Handler now has her eye on Letterman’s ‘Late Show’ spot instead. Either timeslot would make her the first woman to host a late-night broadcast show since Cynthia Garrett hosted NBC’s “Later” from 2000-2001.”
The insider told The Wrap that Handler has also been approached by Jeff Zucker for CNN or HLN and by FX. But, the Letterman spot has changed things for her. It is now No. 1 on her list.
The CBS-Handler talks would also suggest that the network was at the very least entertaining a replacement for Craig Ferguson at 12:30 a.m. The “Late, Late Show” host reportedly has right of first refusal for Letterman’s spot, although CBS may not want to give it to him, due to declining ratings.
