David Spade’s late night show is exactly what Comedy Central needs

David Spade will get his own late night show on Comedy Central this year in a move that will solve an ongoing problem at the network.

David Spade is coming back to late night television full-time. The former Saturday Night Live cast member announced that he will host a late night talk show on Comedy Central starting later in 2019. It’s a win-win for audiences and for the network.

While no date was revealed, a few other details on Spade’s show were announced. It will air at 11:30 PM ET on weeknights. This puts the show in direct competition with The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and Jimmy Kimmel Live!

The show will feature a rotating cast of comedians and other celebrity guests. Spade will also look to cover much more of pop culture than whatever political story is dominating the headlines. Not only is this better suited for Spade’s brand of comedy but it will also help differentiate his show from politics-heavy programs like Late Night with Seth Meyers and The Late Show.

Airing at 11:30 on Comedy Central means that David Spade will follow The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. That time slot has been a real problem for Comedy Central since Stephen Colbert walked away from The Colbert Report. 

Since then shows like @midnight, The Nightly Show, and The Opposition have all come and gone. It’s clear that the network tried to pair another political satire program with Noah’s Daily Show but nothing ever was able to stick.

However, the rise of Colbert’s Late Show and programs like Late Night and Last Week Tonight with John Oliver may have watered down the market. There are only so many ways you can hear the same basic political attitudes packaged in late night.

Giving David Spade a chance shows that Comedy Central is willing to go in a different direction to find success. Spade brings with him decades in entertainment, countless comedic connections, and a certain affinity for making fun of celebrities.

Celebrities and pop culture make for big business. More people know the basics of celebrity gossip than politics. Social media has created a space where celebrity news is passed around among millions of people, most of whom are trying to find the best joke possible.

David Spade has been doing that for years. His spots on “Weekend Update” were the highlights of his time on Saturday Night Live. Comedy Central even ran Showbiz Show with David Spade that let the comedian satirize celebrity gossip shows.

Spade is already one of the best guests in late night or anywhere for that matter. Whether he’s on Conan or Ellen, he is one of the funniest storytellers around. His Instagram page is already a go-to spot for jokes about everything from The Bachelor to celebrity fashion. Later this year, he’ll solve Comedy Central’s late night problem and carve out his own spot on television. Last Night On will have it all covered so stay tuned!