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 & Leisureꦏ talking about his hometown of Charleston, Sᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚC.
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 𒉰magazine, before launching into what he like🍸s to eat when he’s back where he grew up.
“I want shrimp and hominy when Iꦑ’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 aಌctivities. “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 sh🧸ow 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 Thursd🐻ay (320 Park Ave).
Last, but not least …
Melissa Claire Egan (“Y&R”) is working with The Riedel and Cody Fund (riedelcod🐲y.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 H🎀onorary 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.