The Late Show with Stephen Colbert had some surprise guests stop by the Ed Sullivan Theater to show their support for the host. Visits from late-night TV hosts, Saturday Night Live alumni, and more brought a much different energy to the show.
Colbert began his show on Monday night with a monologue that addressed the elephant in the room. Yes, Paramount really did cancel The Late Show, and Colbert will be out of a job in 10 months. But the comedian also used the time to directly address President Donald Trump, saying "go f**k yourself" to the man many believe had a hand in ending Colbert's late-night TV run.
But things found a much more positive vibe later in the program. Colbert admitted he didn't want the show to cause fear or anxiety among fans saddened by Paramount's decision. So to help change the mood, Colbert called in a few favors.
Lin-Manuel Miranda and Weird Al took to the stage, knocking out a few notes of a Coldplay cover before the camera panned to the crowd. Mixed in with the Late Show audience were the likes of Anderson Cooper, Andy Cohen, and Colbert's late-night TV colleagues, including Seth Meyers, Jimmy Fallon, Jon Stewart, and John Oliver.
Happy Gilmore 2 stars Adam Sandler and Christopher McDonald were also there, alongside Robert Smigel and Triumph the Insult Comic Dog. It all culminated with an animated Donald Trump embracing the Paramount logo in a parody of the viral Coldplay couple.
The bit went meta when Colbert had to "cancel" Miranda and Weird Al's song. Reading a letter from corporate, Colbert claimed the song lost the network $40-$50 million. An incredulous Miranda and Al said that was impossible since it was a No. 1 song, a not-so-subtle jab at Paramount cancelling the No. 1 late-night show.
Colbert definitely took advantage of the fact that most late-night TV hosts are based in New York City. The handful of other stars that popped in for the bit also point to the widespread support the Late Show host has across the entertainment industry.
All eyes were on The Late Show tonight to get a feel for how Colbert will approach the next 10 months. Between the monologue and this bit, it's clear that fans are in for an entertaining ride as Colbert pulls out all the stops.