Is The Late Show with Stephen Colbert new tonight, August 26?
By Matt Moore
Late-night TV fans definitely notice when The Late Show with Stephen Colbert doesn’t show up. So what should audiences expect to see tonight on CBS?
The ratings-leader hasn’t been seen all week — something fans have grown used to during the summer. The ongoing pandemic has only added to the equation, considering late-night shows typically go with a light schedule in the summer months.
Unfortunately, the trend continues tonight. There is no midweek miracle. There will not be a new episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert tonight.
Instead, CBS will reair the Aug. 17 episode. Fans get another chance to see guests Clarissa Ward, Amanda Peet, and Roger Bennett.
Why isn’t The Late Show with Stephen Colbert using guest hosts?
With Stephen Colbert taking several weeks off this summer, fans have wondered why a guest host hasn’t been asked to run The Late Show. After all, it’s working out quite well for Jimmy Kimmel Live!.
However, asking for a guest host doesn’t take into consideration the hundreds of other people besides Colbert needed to air The Late Show. These weeks off also offer a break for the writers, producers, crew, and staff.
Other frustrated fans have questioned Colbert’s dedication to the job or wondered why CBS allows for so much time off. But Colbert’s contract likely stipulates how many episodes he films in a year, so these breaks aren’t unprecedented or unexpected.
2016 was Colbert’s first full year on the job at The Late Show. He turned in 203 episodes. He followed that with 197 in 2017, 205 in 2018, and 187 in 2019. The pandemic threw a curveball in The Late Show‘s plans, resulting in 164 episodes in 2020. So far in 2021, The Late Show has aired 107 new episodes.
So while it’s unlikely that Colbert will get back up the numbers he did at the start of his tenure, the total shouldn’t be too unbelievable for fans. Frustrating? Absolutely. But that’s only because of how badly viewers want to hear from Colbert on a nightly basis.
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What do you think of Stephen Colbert’s schedule in 2021? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.