Stephen Colbert on why the Democratic National Convention gave him hope

Stephen Colbert recapped on night one of the Democratic National Convention

For Stephen Colbert, the reality of the upcoming presidential election hit home last night with night one of the Democratic National Convention. And despite everything going on, the Late Show host had a rare feeling of hope.

Anyone watching Stephen Colbert’s monologues lately knows that hope has been in short supply. Colbert has highlighted efforts to undermine the election while we still wait for a plan to combat the ongoing pandemic.

The Late Show went live on CBS following night one of the Democratic National Convention. Colbert interviewed former National Security Adviser Susan Rice, the start of a must-see lineup of guests coming to the show this week.

But it wasn’t the speeches by John Kasich, Senator Bernie Sanders, or former First Lady Michelle Obama that first inspired hope in Stephen Colbert. His monologue explained the moment he first felt some optimism about the future:

Stephen Colbert is inspired and feeling hopeful thanks to regular Americans

The Democratic National Convention started off with the theme of unity. It was a necessary one not just for the country but for the party itself. Former Vice President Joe Biden came out of a field of candidates that was once 20 deep and featured individuals with passionate supporters like Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Bernie Sanders, and Mayor Pete Buttigieg.

The decision to include regular Americans in that message of unity struck a chord with Stephen Colbert. The Late Show host expected to see and hear that message coming from politicians but to see it from everyday people hit home with Colbert.

Colbert questions how a similar theme can be used by the Republican Party. The Late Show has mocked some of President Donald Trump’s supporters for following the White House’s attacks on science and downplaying of the pandemic.

The monologue didn’t just praise the Democratic Party for promoting unity and hope. Colbert made sure to get in a few jokes at Democrats’ expense. Most notably, it gave the comedian a chance to revive his Sen. Bernie Sanders impression while recapping the Senator’s speech from the “national strategic stockpile of firewood.”

Former First Lady Michelle Obama was the only one who was not made into a punchline by Stephen Colbert. He admitted that his job is to make fun of anyone who speaks in public but happily failed after Obama addressed the nation. It’s a sign of the respect Colbert has for the former First Lady and also ensured that his monologue ended with the sense of hope that he felt at the start.

What did you think of Stephen Colbert’s monologue? Share your thoughts in the comment section. Keep checking Last Night On for more from The Late Show and the rest of late-night television.