Stephen Colbert has months to determine the best way to finish The Late Show, however a latest shock look by certainly one of TV’s most beloved characters exhibits that just one ending is actually worthy of his legacy. In reality, resurrecting certainly one of TV’s greatest characters is likely to be the one true correct method to ship off such a number one popular culture icon.
Ever since CBS canceled Stephen Colbert’s Late Show and took a late-night establishment down within the course of, the decades-popular host will now not man his desk after the summer time of 2026. However, on the exact same night time as Jon Stewart’s surprise The Daily Show appearance, Colbert gave followers a glimpse as to how he would possibly snuff his candle with status.
The Fictionalized Stephen Colbert Late Present Resurrection Is So Good
20 Years Later, His Followers Nonetheless Spell “The Wørd” In Unicode
Stephen Colbert’s response to Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension didn’t precisely start humorously. Slightly than enjoying the acquiescent, state-approved pundit that no less than three different late-night hosts had comedically portrayed earlier than him, Colbert addressed Kimmel’s suspension with an impassioned monologue about censorship and the risks of kowtowing. He pulled few punches as a result of a canceled man can punch as exhausting as he needs.
Nonetheless, Colbert’s emotional opening wasn’t the tip of the dialogue. Getting back from business, Stephen launched the character of his similar cousin that Viacom had beforehand stored him from utilizing on The Late Present. The following seven minutes had been nothing however comedy gold, marred solely by the absence of a purple bracelet that any mid-noughties child would possibly hope to see.
On the time of writing, The Colbert Report’s WristStrong bracelets are extremely exhausting to search out. Previous to this week, one may need stated the identical concerning the American savior he as soon as portrayed. However the red-blooded purveyor of truthiness returned to The Late Present with a well timed “The Wørd” phase about censorship.
As soon as once more adopting the persona of an absurd radical, Colbert chipped away on the FCC’s threats to his fellow late-night host’s profession. Whereas Stewart had simply earlier that night time held the FCC to activity, Colbert each humorously and frighteningly laid out what a world of self-censorship would possibly appear like:
“Anybody could be silent within the face of an autocrat. You might have a duty to do extra than simply censor your self. You’ll want to flip in your pals. Write down what they are saying. Get them fired. Then a real patriot can take their job saying nothing on TV. And, most significantly, don’t ever complain, it doesn’t matter what the president does. Even when he sends the Military to your hometown, simply shut up and take it.”
The message was hardly downplayed. The Colbert Report was by no means about subtlety. And, whereas The Each day Present was having a deep dialogue about fascism, Colbert translated probably the most well-known durations of historic rights violations into what it’d appear like on American soil. It was a discomforting thought, but one delivered to the soundtrack of practically continuous laughter.
Why The Fictionalized Colbert Is The Most Inventive Means To Ship The Late Present
To Its Eerily Cock-Eared Grave
Jon Stewart’s response to Jimmy Kimmel definitely balanced comedy with political perception, however Colbert’s return to his well-liked character allowed him to touch upon the difficulty twice directly. He’d already made his views clear. When Colbert speaks as himself, he does so in a sensible manner that speaks to decency and humanity. Then his similar twin cousin comes alongside.
Twin Colbert doesn’t care what listeners contemplate first rate. However, whereas enjoying that character, he’s capable of deal with real-world issues in a funnier manner than he does as himself. When he was on The Colbert Report, he did this continuously, and it’s what constructed his legacy. That’s precisely why he must deliver that again when The Late Present ends.
Many followers hope Cousin Colbert might return for good, employed by Comedy Central on the finish of his CBS run. Nonetheless, with late-night TV dying, Colbert’s distinctive model of comedy has grow to be extra essential than ever. Maybe he’s not altering minds, however he’s giving a voice to followers who really feel the necessity to snicker within the face of unfavorable circumstances.
The Late Present was an establishment earlier than Colbert took over. However ending on “The Wørd” would deliver him full circle. Veteran followers would get to see each of his finest sides. And it’s exhausting to think about a greater send-off. Failing that, no less than Colbert’s 2025 Emmy win serves as a reminder that he was right here when followers wanted him most.
Take pleasure in ScreenRant’s primetime protection? Click on beneath to enroll in our weekly Community TV publication (be certain that to test “Community TV” in your preferences) and get the within scoop from actors and showrunners in your favourite sequence.
The Late Show
- Showrunner
-
Christopher Andrew Licht
- Administrators
-
Jake Plunkett, Jim Hoskinson, Ballard C. Boyd
- Writers
-
Emmy Blotnick, Michael Brumm, Nate Charny, Aaron Cohen, Stephen Colbert
