Stephen Colbert’s run on The Late Show is soon coming to an end. Before this, he has looked back over his time on the show. Recently, he recalled an early moment that could have really made or ended the show.
Stephen Colbert Recently Shared A Tense Moment During The Show’s History During A Recent Q&A
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert premiered back in 2015, serving as the second iteration of The Late Show. Colbert, having previously hosted The Colbert Report for Comedy Central, took over for David Letterman.
However, CBS has announced that the series would be coming to an end as the network would be discontinuing The Late Show‘s format. Colbert’s final episode is set for May 21, 2026.
Since the announcement, viewers have been tuning in as Colbert is set to say farewell to the show. On the series’ official YouTube channel, a “Colbert Before Air” segment saw the namesake host answer questions about his time on the show.
During the show, Colbert looked back at a “quick memory from the very first show.” He explained that things were “a little rough” when he first took over the show in 2015. He often found himself being surprised by how more “complicated” the show was when compared to The Colbert Report.
Colbert recalled, “Back then, I liked to see the edit finished. I’m up in the editing suites … and the show will not export, meaning it won’t come out of the Avid editing machine. And every time we try to export it, it crashes at exactly the same point, 1:30-ish into the monologue. And then it won’t go to the broadcast center to be sent to the world.”
More and more time passed, and things still didn’t resolve. At some point, Colbert considered contacting the network for help, only for him to remember that he was the executive in charge of production.
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert Almost Ended Before It Started
“Tech people” around Colbert reassured him that things would work out, but with it taking at least two hours for the show to export, he had his doubts. In fact, things were so tense that he skipped out on a watch party in New York City with his family to watch his first monologue.
The show’s editor, Jason Baker, then had an idea: exporting the show straight to the broadcast center. Colbert shared he had to “kick open” a door to the building’s accounting office to check that the show was indeed airing. He noted that “we went in there with a bottle of Old Forester bourbon.”
Things ultimately worked out, with Colbert going on to host the show for 11 seasons. Colbert himself admitted to having mixed feelings about the moment. He recalled, “That is one of the fondest memories that I have and one of the most terrifying moments.”
“Can you imagine? I remember, leading up to that second, that very second, I thought, ‘I might have the shortest late-night career.’ I don’t see them giving us a second show if that happened on the first show.” Deciding to end on a joke, he mused that he should have had a “Rick Roll” prepared.
What is your reaction to Stephen Colbert’s recent share? Are you keeping up with The Late Show as it comes to an end? Have you been following this story? Make sure you come back to TV Shows Ace for all the latest TV and celebrity news.
John Witiw has been a writer since at least 2015. He’s covered a variety of topics, especially when it comes to film and television.
