Stephen Colbert, provided by CBS
“We’ll meet again,” and we all know where and when: when he takes over “The Late Show” from David Letterman on CBS next year. But for now, a grateful nation (“Nation!”) thanks the amazing Stephen Colbert for a brilliant run and clever finish.
With a horde of celebrities ranging from Henry Kissinger to Barry Manilow, Vince Gilligan to Jon Stewart, Katie Couric to Neil Degrasse Tyson, the still in-character Colbert gave us a sweet, funny farewell. He also provided a key to what will make him a continued success in his next format: he is perhaps our most well-rounded comedian, a political satirist who can sing and dance, an improv sketch artist who can conduct an engaging interview, a cultural critic with a way of turning the joke on himself. Once he abandons his right-wing blowhard persona, he’ll be just fine tackling the worlds of Hollywood, politics, business, Broadway, science, culture, fine arts and the occasional CBS plug.
His career-changing cable series set the standard for a new genre of variety/parody/talk in late night. His next show stands a good chance of reinventing a sagging form when he brings his inventive mind (and smart staff) to the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York.
