The Late Show’s Stephen Colbert says he’s ‘going to be out for the rest of the week’ as he recovers from COVID-19
Stephen Colbert is taking the rest of the week off from hosting The Late Show on CBS as he continues his recovery from a bout of COVID-19.
The 59-year-old talk show host took to Twitter on Wednesday with a message to his fans informing them of his expected absence.
“Sorry, but as per doctor’s orders I will be absent for the rest of the week,” the Washington DC resident said. ‘Just taking a rest so that I can provide the handmade, artisanal talk show that we are so happy to offer you.’
Colbert shared an image of a wooden box containing socks, onions and a greeting card that he said his fellow late night host Jimmy Fallon sent to him because of his health problem.
“In the meantime, a heady mix of Paxlovid and onions in my socks (thanks, Fallon) will rebuild my immune system,” he said.
Details: Stephen Colbert, 59, is taking the rest of the week off from hosting The Late Show on CBS as he continues his recovery from a bout of COVID-19. Pictured on the set of his show in New York earlier this month
The talk show host took to Twitter on Wednesday with a message to his fans informing them of his expected absence, sharing an image of a wooden box that he said fellow late-night host Jimmy Fallon brought to him sent because of his health problem.
Colbert’s sidelining comes after the show initially decided to continue with the host working from home this week after he tested positive for the coronavirus.
A social media post from the series on Monday read: ‘Meanwhile… The Late Show will look a little different tonight as Stephen is home with Covid (he’s fine!), but make sure you tune in as the show will conducted remotely with Monologue, Meanwhile, Jada Pinkett Smith and Ricky Velez. #what year is it?’
On Monday’s broadcast, Colbert interviewed Jada Pinkett-Smith, who was at estranged husband Will Smith’s side when he infamously punched Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards after Rock made a joke at her expense .
“I was really looking forward to meeting Jada Pinkett Smith tonight,” Colbert joked on Monday’s episode. “The only advantage is that no one can punch me because I have her name in my mouth.”
After making it through Monday’s episode, Colbert said in a message to the show’s account on Tuesday that he had decided to focus on his recovery for the foreseeable future.
“I always want to be able to do the show that the audience deserves, but today Covid had other plans,” he said. “I’m taking it day by day and I hope we can all see each other tomorrow night.”
Other celebrities scheduled to appear on this week’s editions of The Late Show included Keegan-Michael Key, the Talking Heads, Jon Batiste and Rachel Maddow.
It is not the first time that Colbert has had to cancel shows due to the virus, as he had to do so in April and May 2022.
Colbert’s sidelining comes after the show initially decided to continue this week with the host working from home after testing positive for the coronavirus
Colbert worked from home during the broadcast on Monday, interviewing Jada Pinkett-Smith
After making it through Monday’s episode, Colbert said in a message to the show’s account on Tuesday that he had decided to focus on his recovery for the foreseeable future.
It’s not the first time Colbert has had to cancel shows due to the virus, as he had to do so in April and May 2022
At the time, the late night host — who was criticized by podcaster Joe Rogan for his advocacy for vaccinations — took to social media to acknowledge his impending absence.
He tweeted: ‘Yes! I tested positive for Covid, but I’m actually feeling fine – grateful to have been vaccinated and boosted. Thanks for the get well wishes. This just proves that I will do everything in my power to avoid interviewing Jason Bateman.”
In May 2022, the show announced that Colbert had experienced “symptoms consistent with a recurrence of COVID,” causing production to halt during his illness.
“Out of an abundance of caution for his staff, guests and audiences, he will remain in isolation for a few additional days,” the show said in a social media post.
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert airs weekdays on CBS at 11:35/10:35 p.m.