Stephen Colbert will open big when he begins his run as host of CBS’ The Late Show on September 8, with guests George Clooney and Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush — but his fans in the UAE won’t be able to see the historic TV moment.
Both OSN and MBC, two networks showing US programming in the UAE, have confirmed to tabloid! that they have no plans to air The Late Show. Star World, meanwhile, is part of the Fox stable and airs that network’s shows such as American Idol.
OSN aired Colbert’s previous show, The Colbert Report, which was produced by the Comedy Central network, with whom OSN had a deal.
But the most likely host, now that Colbert has moved to CBS to take over David Letterman’s seat on The Late Show, would be MBC.
MBC screens CBS shows in the UAE, including The Talk and The Good Wife. A spokesperson for MBC told tabloid! they have no information on plans for The Late Show being aired in the UAE, although they did clarify that they work with other studios, and other networks buy from CBS, too.
According to the guest list announced on Monday by CBS, UAE viewers will miss out on a strong first week line-up.
On September 9, actress Scarlett Johansson and SpaceX and Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk will appear, with Kendrick Lamar performing and being interviewed.
The guest list for September 10 is Uber CEO Travis Kalanick with musical guest Toby Keith.
On September 11, comedian Amy Schumer and author Stephen King will be on the show, with Troubled Waters performing and being interviewed.
