Stephen Colbert

It was back in August that Showtime first suggested Stephen Colbert might dive into the ring for an Election Night special, and after a grueling few months, we’re finally seeing some light at the end of the tunnel. Officially confirmed for November 8 is a live Colbert Showtime production, asking a very appropriate question as its title.

Live Colbert Late Show not enough for you? You’re in luck for the actual 2016 election night. Win or lose, Stephen Colbert might host a live special that very night, according to new word from Showtime.

If nothing else, last week’s Republican National Convention brought the nation something it sorely needed, that of Stephen Colbert’s return to the “Stephen Colbert” character as only the Colbert Report knew him. That return landed Colbert in some legal hot water, however, so let’s meet his off-brand replacement, Stephen Colbert!

The Republican National Convention has certainly energized Stephen Colbert’s Late Show, but there’s little two ways about the former Colbert Report host struggling to find his voice on CBS. James Corden’s Late Late Show has only grown in the subsequent time slot however, but would CBS really consider swapping the order?

Stephen Colbert has been sorely missing from late-night, and we don’t mean the one hosting CBS’ Late Show night after night. Thankfully, The Colbert Report version made a welcome return to a changed political landscape last night, along with none other than former Comedy Central buddy Jon Stewart.

Stephen Colbert may be the wildly successful host of a popular late night talk show on a major television network, but that doesn’t change who he really is: a huge nerd. Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson said of Colbert, “I have never met a bigger Tolkien geek in my life.” The Late Show host appeared in The Desolation of Smaug and hosted a Hobbit panel at Comic-Con. But his geek cred is not limited to Middle Earth. Last night, Colbert delivered an impassioned prediction of how Star Wars: The Force Awakens will end, and the funniest thing is, he wasn’t joking.

The reviews for Stephen Colbert’s debut as the new Late Show host were mostly positive. Our own Matt Singer said the show got off to a “solid start” as Colbert took over for David Letterman, but the show almost didn’t get off to a start at all. On his second show, Colbert revealed that because of editing and technical glitches, his first episode almost didn’t make it on air.

Between a monologue, musical number and George Clooney, Colbert proved his satirical days are behind him.

Watching Stephen Colbert's hysterical fill-in role for a public access cable TV show sure does appear to give insight of things to come with The Late Show.

We’re closer than ever to Stephen Colbert’s Late Show debut on September 8, and while George Clooney’s guest appearance gave a marquee head start, the full guest list for Colbert’s full week offers a much clearer view of the new series. Everyone from Jeb Bush to Elon Musk and Amy Schumer will fill out the ranks, with musical guests on deck as well.