On December Stephen Colbert will present the final “Colbert Report” on Dec. 18 on Comedy Central and on Dec. 30 he will host the Kennedy Center Honors, which air at 9 p.m. on CBS. The event will tape Dec. 7 in Washington.
Walter Cronkite, Caroline Kennedy and Glenn Close have hosted the prestigious event.
The honorees this year are singer Al Green, actor and filmmaker Tom Hanks, ballerina Patricia McBride, singer-songwriter Sting and comedienne Lily Tomlin.
In a statement, Colbert said: “I am stunned to be receiving a Kennedy Center Honor at such a young age. I thought it would be years before… I’m sorry. I’m being told I am HOSTING the Kennedy Center Honors. Oh… Well, I’m glad. That makes a lot more sense.”
This will be the 37th edition of the awards show, the classiest on TV. CBS has presented the telecast every year.
Colbert will succeed David Letterman as host of CBS’ “Late Show” next year, and the network is overjoyed to have Colbert.
“Stephen Colbert’s creative and comedic genius is admired from Hollywood to New York to Washington, D.C.,” said Jack Sussman, executive vice president of specials, music and live events for CBS Entertainment. “We’re thrilled to have him lend his showmanship, wit and immeasurable talents to this year’s the Kennedy Center Honors.”