Stephen Colbert made his triumphant return to late-night television on Tuesday night. Coming off an Emmy win, the former Late Show host sat down with Jimmy Kimmel, and he came bearing gifts.
During Tuesday night's episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Colbert ended the conversation and presented Kimmel with one of the most recognizable pieces of memorabilia from his television career. He pulled out the Captain America shield that had been prominently displayed on both The Colbert Report and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert sets.
Back in 2007, Marvel Comics editor-in-chief Joe Quesada sent Colbert the shield after the host had repeatedly joked about Captain America following the character's apparent death in Marvel Comics. Quesada appeared on The Colbert Report and presented Colbert with what was described as Captain America's "indestructible shield," along with a letter explaining that the fallen hero had left it to Colbert.
Colbert immediately incorporated the shield into his television set. It became one of the many distinctive objects that decorated The Colbert Report set, eventually making the transition to The Late Show when Colbert moved to CBS in 2015. The shield was displayed alongside a collection of personal, historical, and bizarre objects that gave his desk area some of its personality.
Notably, the shield was not included in the fundraising effort Colbert launched in the final days of The Late Show. While other props and set pieces went on eBay for fans to bring home, the Captain America accessory stayed off limts.
Now, after nearly 20 years with Colbert, the shield has a new home. Giving it to Kimmel is particularly fitting. Kimmel is a longtime comic-book fan himself, and Jimmy Kimmel Live! has become the major late-night television destination for the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Over the years, Jimmy Kimmel Live! has regularly hosted Marvel stars and filmmakers, with the show serving as a promotional stop for major MCU projects. The program has also been used to debut or promote trailers and other footage, while cast members from the Marvel films have frequently appeared on Kimmel's couch.
So while it may not have been easy for Colbert to part with a piece that has been with him for 20 years, at least it's going to a fitting place in late-night TV. And with Avengers: Doomsday coming later this year, along with Chris Evans' return as Captain America, it's safe to assume the cast will be back on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.
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