LOS ANGELES -- Craig Kilborn has decided to quit CBS's Late Late Show after five seasons, leaving the network to find a new host for the hour that follows Late Show with David Letterman. "It was easily the greatest job I've had, and CBS was very generous in their offer to re-sign me," Kilborn told Daily Variety.
"But I simply want to try something new.
"I can now focus on writing and producing different television projects I haven't had time for."
Not one to pass up a gag, Kilborn added: "And this is cool: I will continue to wear makeup in my everyday life."
Kilborn had drawn solid ratings for CBS since he took the time slot over from Tom Snyder.
Since 1999, the audience had grown 34% to this season's average of 1.7 million viewers.
He likely will wrap up his tenure within a month, according to a source close to the production, Daily Variety reported yesterday.
The program is produced by Letterman's company, Worldwide Pants. CBS had no comment on his replacement, a CBS spokesman said yesterday.
There was immediate speculation that Conan O'Brien, whose contract with NBC's Late Night with Conan O'Brien has more than a year to run, might be a candidate -- if he could eventually end up with Letterman's job.
Industry speculation has it that Letterman is likely to exit late-night TV before Leno does.
Calgary Sun
Kilborn Calls It Quits 
