‘The Late Show’ Cancels Week of Shows as Stephen Colbert Recovers From COVID-19

The Late Show is coming out of CBS’ rotation at least until next week as host Stephen Colbert recovers from a COVID-19 diagnosis.

The comedian and late night host on Wednesday shared the news that he would be out and unable to tape for the remainder of the week, via X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

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“Sorry to say, per doctor’s orders, I’m going to be out for the rest of the week,” he wrote. “Resting up so that I can deliver the hand crafted, artisanal talk show that we so enjoy serving you. In the meantime, a heady blend of Paxlovid and onions in my socks (thank you, Fallon) will be rebuilding my immune system.” (The onions were a reference to a bit on the late night hosts’ recent Strike Force Five podcast.)

The show pivoted to its pandemic-era virtual style earlier this week, with Colbert performing his monologue from his home after news initially broke of his diagnosis. Jada Pinkett Smith, who is doing the press rounds to promote her new memoir Worthy, and comedian Ricky Velez both appeared during Monday’s episode.

Other guests originally scheduled for this week included Rachel Maddow, original members of Talking Heads, and Keegan-Michael Key alongside wife and producer Elle Key. The Late Show’s former band leader and Grammy-winning artist Jon Batiste was also slated to appear.

If the series returns next week, Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff, Lindsay Mendez and musician Arlo Parks are expected to appear.

COVID was also behind another recent late night cancellation: the Strike Force live event, which was set to feature Colbert, Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel in Las Vegas last month. At the time, Kimmel announced he had contracted COVID-19.

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