The CBS talk show announces that its host is taking the preventive action in canceling new episodes taping out of an abundance of caution for the staff, guests and audience.
- May 10, 2022
AceShowbiz - "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" has stopped production after host Stephen Colbert is "experiencing symptoms" of COVID-19. Responding to the potential "recurrence" of the virus, the CBS talk show announced they were not filming any more new episodes "until further notice" to stop it spreading to the rest of the production.
"Stephen is experiencing symptoms consistent with a recurrence of COVID. Out of an abundance of caution for his staff, guests, and audience, he will be isolating for a few additional days," the show's official Twitter account posted on Monday, May 5. "The Late Show will not be taping new episodes until further notice."
In a quote tweet on the micro-blogging site, Stephen quipped that the decision was the "worst sequel ever." Comic Sarah Silverman and basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal were expected to sit in the interview chair on Monday evening with Sharon Van Etten treating the audience to a musical performance.
The rest of the week had a guest line-up that included former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, actor Tracy Letts, actor Hugh Dancy, CNN anchor Jake Tapper, Ken Jeong and musical acts Beach House and Regina Spektor.
This comes after the television personality tested positive for the virus in late April, which canceled over a week of shows. When he reappeared on screens, Stephen told the audience that coming back to work to hear the applause from the audience was "all the audience you need" while telling the crowd he was "back" and "feeling fine."
Despite this, the 57-year-old comedian revealed that his cheery nature was hiding that "the first three days sucked" after he tested positive. He said, "The first three days sucked, but by day six, I was testing negative. Now on day 12, I'm back with a serious head cold. So, go figure."
Stephen took his ordeal to urge viewers to get vaccinated against the virus as he labeled the condition "not a pleasant experience." He also joked that due to his wife Evie having COVID too they partook in "forced nesting."
The former host of "The Colbert Report" also offered his sympathy to his fellow late night host Jimmy Kimmel, who also recently tested positive, while swearing he wasn't the one who gave the "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" host the germs.
"Of course, I'm on the East Coast, Jimmy's in L.A., there's no way I could have given it to him. And yes, last week, I did lick a lot of things and FedEx them to his office," he joked. "But I only paid for two-day [shipping]; gotta be sterile by the time he opens it."
