‘The Colbert Report’ suspended?

Imagine my annoyance when I sat all nice and ready for last night’s edition of The Colbert Report, only to find myself watching yet another rerun (as if they didn’t play those often enough, what with going on break every other bloody week). It turns out the news is perplexing, albeit not overly worrisome:

Though the reason for Stephen Colbert's absence remains a mystery, sources say the show will resume production soon.

The Colbert Report has caused quite a stir among fans and those unlucky enough to have tickets for tapings on Wednesday and Thursday.

Both shows were canceled at the last minute with ticket holders invited to re-apply for a future taping. In fact, fans were already lining up at the show's Manhattan studio -- and some were even in their seats -- when Comedy Central sent an email Wednesday alerting ticket holders to the cancelation. Many took to Twitter to express their disappointment and some tweeted the Comedy Central email. Stephen Colbert has been quiet on Twitter since Wednesday afternoon when the show tweeted a joke about the contraception battle between President Obama and Republicans.

Comedy Central would only say that the tapings were canceled due to “unforeseen circumstances.” There is no indication that Colbert's absence is caused by a dispute with the network and sources there told THR that The Colbert Report will be back up and running soon.

The only time Colbert’s been taken off the air previously was for a few moments in 2008, and even that was only a joke about then-Republican presidential candidate John McCain and the kerfuffle over his cancelled appearance on Letterman. Similarly, the only times the Report’s spiritual brother, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, went dark was when Stewart’s second child was born, and when a show staffer suddenly passed away. This has obviously led to various amounts of chatter around the blogosphere; I heard rumors that Colbert’s mother had possibly fallen ill. But again, we’ll have to wait and see.

At any rate, I’m just relieved to hear the show is expected to return anon. Television these days needs all the luminaries it can get.

(via Joe. My. God.)

Tags: The Colbert Report • Stephen Colbert