Eye on lookout for a Kilborn replacement By Pamela McClintock--Variety August 15, 2004
	NEW YORK--CBS latenight host Craig Kilborn will exit his show in just two weeks, and his surprise decision to leave has sent the Eye and David Letterman's production shingle Worldwide Pants on a furious midnight run to find a replacement host. "The search for the new 'Late Late Show' host begins immediately," CBS spokesman Chris Ender said. Kilborn roused the latenight scene Thursday night when he informed CBS and Worldwide that he wouldn't be reupping as host of "Late Late Show" (Daily Variety, Aug 13) after a five-year run.  The former ESPN sportscaster said he wanted a new challenge. Insiders said contract negotiations had been going on all summer and the two sides were still far apart on the issue of money. By Friday, it became apparent Kilborn wouldn't be returning to the show after a planned two-week hiatus in early September, meaning his last night as host will be Aug. 27.  It's possible that his final few shows could air at a later date, closer to the bow of the fall TV sked. As part of Letterman's deal with CBS, his shingle holds the right to program the timeslot "Late Late" airs at 12:35 a.m., immediately following "The Late Show with David Letterman." Worldwide Pants prexy-CEO Rob Burnett said the intention is to keep the same name and format for the show. Until a new host is found, "best of" Kilborn reruns may air and guest hosts may be brought in. "We will have to work with CBS as to how we will fill that time," Burnett said.  "Any rumor or speculation that has been levied about the replacement is just that.  We are literally assembling a list now.  We have spoken to no one.  There is no frontrunner." It's widely known that NBC latenight host Conan O'Brien, whose show airs opposite Kilborn's, would like the 11:30 p.m. timeslot, now held by Letterman at CBS and "Tonight Show" host Jay Leno at NBC. But even if O'Brien were to jump into CBS and replace Kilborn, there are no guarantees that Letterman would retire any sooner than Leno. Industryites pointed out that some of the more obvious candidates for Kilborn's job, such as O'Brien or Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" host Jon Stewart, also have locked-in contracts. O'Brien's contract is up at the end of 2005, while Stewart recently renewed his contract through 2008. Other names being mentioned include actor Vince Vaughn, who was among those subbing for Letterman last year when Letterman was out with shingles. Latenight remains a lucrative piece of property for the broadcast nets, and CBS will be under pressure to provide continuity so that affiliates don't contemplate taking back the 12:30 a.m. hour to run syndicated programming.