The Late Show is taking an extended holiday and canceling all shows this week as host Stephen Colbert recovers from appendix surgery.
The show was scheduled to return from Thanksgiving break on Tuesday night with Jennifer Garner, director Baz Luhrmann, and guitarist John Scofield, followed by Patrick Stewart with Grammy Award-winner and former Late Show band leader Jon Batiste appearing on Wednesday. Barbra Streisand and Kelsey Grammer were slated for Thursday’s show.
No details about Colbert’s condition have been released. The host took to Threads Monday to confirm the show’s pause.
“Sorry to say that I have to cancel our shows this week. I’m sure you’re thinking, ‘Turkey overdose, Steve? Gravy boat capsize?’ Actually, I’m recovering from surgery for a ruptured appendix,” Colbert posted on Threads on November 27. “I’m grateful to my doctors for their care and to Evie and the kids for putting up with me. Going forward, all emails to my appendix will be handled by my pancreas.”
CBS was not immediately available to comment on when or if the guests would be rescheduled.
This is the second time Colbert’s health has halted production in two months. The show took a week off in October while Colbert recovered from COVID-19. Combined with the dual Hollywood strikes last summer, 2023 marks the longest The Late Show With Stephen Colbert has been off the air since he took over hosting duties from David Letterman in 2015.
As more people shift towards streaming and cut ties with cable TV, late night shows have seen declining numbers. In April, CBS concluded The Late Late Show after 28 years following host James Corden’s departure. Instead of finding a new host, the network is launching After Midnight hosted by Taylor Tomlinson, an internet-themed trivia game show produced by Stephen Colbert and Funny or Die to fill the slot after The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.
“My hope is that, every night, After Midnight will be just as ridiculous as the internet is every day,” said Colbert in a statement. “Plus, the original @midnight aired after The Colbert, so welcoming this new show to 12:30 feels like coming home.”
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert is available to stream on CBS TV, Paramount+, YouTube TV, Hulu, Prime Video, The Roku Channel, Fubo TV, and Pluto TV. Clips of segments from the show are also available on YouTube.