Hillary Clinton paid tribute to Stephen Colbert on Instagram this week, praising his long run at The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. She wished him well heading into what she described as “a next chapter.”
Clinton, the former Secretary of State and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee, has appeared on the show multiple times across its run. Her message drew directly on those visits. “Every time I sat across the desk from @colbertlateshow, I knew we’d have a conversation that was about more than just getting laughs,” she wrote.
She credited Colbert with qualities not always highlighted in the late-night format. “Alongside his great wit, Stephen brought deep thoughtfulness, empathy, and humility to the late-night stage,” Clinton added. The post ended on a warm note: “Here’s to a next chapter as brilliant as the last.”
Colbert has hosted the CBS program since September 2015, succeeding David Letterman in the role. In that time, the show became a regular stop for political figures, bestselling authors, scientists, and entertainers. Colbert’s interviewing style drew wide attention, particularly during election years, for its mix of pointed questions and sharp comedy. Clinton was among the guests who returned to the desk more than once.
Her description of those appearances as conversations going “beyond just getting laughs” reflects something many of Colbert’s guests and regular viewers have noted over the years. He developed a reputation for taking his interview subjects seriously, not just playing to the camera. That approach earned the show a devoted following.
It has also drawn criticism. Some observers have argued the program leaned noticeably in one political direction throughout its run, giving it a particular comfort level for some guests and not others. That’s worth keeping in mind. Clinton’s tribute reflects her personal experience on the show. It may not represent the full range of views on what the program stood for across eleven years.
Colbert’s exit from The Late Show has been reported in the entertainment press. A formal announcement with specific timing had not been made public at the time Clinton posted her tribute.
The late-night television space has shifted considerably in recent years, with multiple long-running hosts stepping back from nightly formats. Colbert’s eventual departure will rank among the more closely watched changes in that space.
Clinton’s post drew over 32,000 likes on Instagram. For a brief tribute with no news hook attached, that’s a notable level of response.
The full assessment of Colbert’s run is still being written. Clinton’s words add one perspective to that conversation. Others, from different vantage points, will follow in time.
