Stephen Colbert AP Images
Tom Purcell and Meredith Bennett both join their former Comedy Central colleague as EPs.
Stephen Colbert is getting the band back together. As expected, CBS' incoming Late Show host will launch the new era of his late-night talker with much of the same senior staff he had on Comedy Central's Colbert Report.
Most notably, Tim Purcell is staying in the Colbert fold as executive producer and writer, while Meredith Bennett rises to executive producer (she previously served as co-EP.)
The rest of the senior staff announcement reads like a who's-who of the Emmy and Peabody-winning Colbert Report. Emily Lazar and Barry Julien will serve as co-executive producers — Julien will retaining duties as a writer and Lazar heading the talent department. Head writer Opus Moreschi will also stand as supervising reporter, where he'll work alongside promoted head writer Jay Katsir. Matt Lappin and Paul Dinello will serve as supervising producers and writers, while Tanya Bracco has been named supervising producer and executive-in-charge.
There is some new blood. Good Morning America vet Emily Gertler will serve as senior entertainment producer, while Late Show With David Letterman music producer Sheryl Zelikson is staying on with the new regime.
Colbert has been largely mum on the logistics of what the Late Show will look like, but he did recently imply that it will likely be quite similar to The Colbert Report. "CBS has asked nothing of me other than I fill an hour," Colbert told reporters earlier in August. "They liked the show I used to do and asked, 'Would you mind adding another 120 hours a year?' "
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert launches Sept. 8.
