Stephen Colbert, who will take over David Letterman’s late-night time period on CBS after Letterman retires, will likely start his new job in late August or early September, reports the Los Angeles Times’ Show Tracker.

That means there will be a break of several months between the end of Letterman’s long run and the launch of Colbert’s new show. As we reported earlier this week, Letterman has set his last show for Wednesday, May 20.

With Colbert scheduled to wrap up his Comedy Central show “The Colbert Report” Dec. 18, he will be off the air for about eight months.

“While that seems like a lengthy break, Colbert will need that time to create a show and a new persona,” the Times notes. “Since 2005, viewers have known him as the wingnut TV pundit he plays with unwavering commitment on ‘The Colbert Report.’ He will not be taking that character to CBS.”

CBS will build a new set in the Ed Sullivan Theater, and it’s likely that the network will test the new program in front of an audience before it debuts on TV, the piece adds.

It is unclear what will air in the “Late Show” time period between Letterman’s signoff and Colbert’s debut, as CBS is still mulling that over, the report notes.