When Stephen Colbert was named David Letterman’s successor as host of “The Late Show” on CBS, much was made of what he’s really like — rather than the pompous blowhard he plays on Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report.” Colbert offers a peek into his background in the June issue of Travel & Leisure talking about his hometown of Charleston, SC.
He says he helped his mother run a now-defunct B&B in the city’s South of Broad neighborhood. “Back then, if I booked a guest, I got 10 percent. A kid could have a whole weekend of fun on 15 bucks,” he tells the magazine, before launching into what he likes to eat when he’s back where he grew up.
“I want shrimp and hominy when I’m in Charleston at whatever place doesn’t call hominy grits,” he says — and reminisces about the city’s King Street shopping district — “In the past, it had no chains” — and about outdoor activities. “We’d go swimming off Sullivan’s Island,” he says. “Afterward, we’d walk in to local bars with any kind of fake ID — a piece of paper that just about announced you were 18 — and they’d serve you beer.”
Shannon making waves
If you’re wondering how Scott Shannon has adjusted to his new home at WCBS (101.1 FM) the answer is … just fine, thanks. Shannon, who moved up the dial to WCBS FM after 20-plus years at WPLJ (95.5 FM), has hosted “Scott Shannon in the Morning” since March 3 (6-10 a.m.) — and has had an immediate impact on the station. In the latest Nielsen Audio numbers, Shannon’s show ranked third in total audience (12+), fourth in adults 25-54, seventh in women 25-54 and fourth in men 25-54.
Meanwhile, Shannon’s former on-air partner, Todd Pettengill over at ’PLJ, finished 17th in March in total audience.
Another longtime local fixture, Ch. 5’s Ernie Anastos, emcees the 65th annual Christopher Awards Thursday (320 Park Ave).
Last, but not least …
Melissa Claire Egan (“Y&R”) is working with The Riedel and Cody Fund (riedelcody.org), which gives money to people whose pets have cancer and can’t afford treatment. It’s part of Pet Cancer Awareness Month … Ch. 4’s David Ushery gives the commencement address at St. John’s University in Staten Island this Saturday and will receive an Honorary Doctor of Letters Degree … Gigi Hadid (“Real Housewives of Beverly Hills”), actress Judi Shekoni and director Wendy Finerman checked out the new eatery Tender (The Sanctuary Hotel) before its official Wednesday opening … People/EW editorial director Jess Cagle cameos on Wednesday’s season finale of “Nashville” (10 p.m./Ch. 7) … NBC’s “Dateline” is the first newsmagazine to reach 1 million “Likes” on Facebook.