The best of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert 2018

2018 was a monster year for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert that saw the show top the late night ratings.

Late night shows are driven by the audiences. The brand of comedy, the host’s personality, and the topics can all be influenced by what viewers want to see. So whether you look at ratings, social media mentions, or YouTube clicks, it was clear that in 2018 audiences wanted exactly what The Late Show with Stephen Colbert was delivering.

After a shaky and uneven start to his tenure as Late Show host, Stephen Colbert has settled into a groove and a comfort in his own skin. The show has routinely outperformed its top competitor The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in the ratings and in key demographics.

And while this probably makes CBS very happy with its choice to have Colbert succeed David Letterman, ratings glory doesn’t seem to be Colbert’s goal. 2018 demonstrated that Colbert wants The Late Show to be a mix of comedy and political commentary typically seen on other programs like The Daily Show and Last Week Tonight.

To achieve that, Colbert dived head first into the circus that has become President Donald Trump’s time in office. While other shows like Saturday Night Live have been criticized for constantly attacking the president, Colbert has been praised for his take on Washington’s headlines.

Beyond the political punchlines, Colbert has shown himself to be an insightful interviewer. The collection of guests on The Late Show goes far beyond the typical movie stars and entertainers to include historians, scientists, and artists.

Taken together it is clearly why Stephen Colbert has found himself atop the late night ratings and set himself apart from his competition. Below you’ll see Last Night On’s picks for The Late Show‘s best moments from 2018.

Josh Brolin Reads Trump Tweets as Thanos

Sean Hannity and Michael Cohen’s Relationship

Trump and Putin Meeting Again

Deadpool Takes Over the Monologue

President Trump Feels Embarrassed

Lady Gaga Full Interview

President Jimmy Carter Interview

Trump Says We’re All to Blame for Russian Meddling

In just those handful of clips, it’s clear to see why 2018 was such a huge year for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. By not backing off the political headlines but instead taking them head-on with his own brand of comedy, Colbert gave audiences exactly what they wanted all year. The momentum will only continue to build in 2019 and Last Night On will have it all covered!