Excellent. The pettiness and insecurity that caused the cancellation is unAmerican. Humor is one of the few things that has gotten me through great loss and is what I have been clinging to since 11-5-24 (after the shock wore off). Cheers to Colbert. Thank God for the comedians.
During the early darkest days of the pandemic Stephen Colbert’s shows from his home were a lifeline for me, helping return me to some sense of sanity and normalcy. (I was a practicing physician). Moving forward, he has used clever humor to assuage our anxiety over our current situation in the US. I was fortunate enough to join the audience for one of his shows. Every member of his staff who met us on Broadway, kept us company in the lobby or escorted us to our seats really did appear to sincerely enjoy working there. There were not so much as working as they were there to enjoy the show with us. And yes, that says more about the real Stephen Colbert than any five star Google review can. Thank you, John, for your wonderful essay on the man who has given so much of himself to us.
This summarizes his gift; I know I felt seen and heard from home in a time in our world where disconnection and discord seem to be the goal. You are two very similar talents and gifts. Humor is Mr. Colbert’s vehicle, where you use history for context of any given topic. I have missed your reporting and insights…so grateful to have found you here. I will miss Mr. Colbert’s humor and concise commentary. I hope he, too, finds a visible forum. Be well, Mr. D
Thank you for putting feelings to paper (or computer)! I need to do the same. I will at some moment, but my feelings are too raw! Also, after I finally watch the last episode. I am mat ready for "The day the laughter died".
However, I am looking forward to Stephen T. Colbert's next "life"! Maybe it will be in a Substack essay with his dear friend Jobs Dickerson. Always loved when you were on his show.
Thank you, John Dickerson, for doing your share in letting Stephen Tyrone Colbert be known. While I'm not a fan of CBS, I am grateful they gave us 10 months to build to a proper goodbye/sendoff. The roof photo with Stephen elevated on a ladder shows the leader he continued to be to his Late Show crew to the end. I imagine him saying "go forth and share that which you have learned." We are all the people on the roof, having benefitted from his tireless commitment to deliver the daily events with both levity and humanity. Thank you to Stephen Colbert for eleven years of laughing, so that we cannot be afraid.
A beautiful tribute. It reminded me of your hug after you finished The Colbert Questionert. This isn’t right. It’s un-American. Wish we could vote to get the “monstrous baby” and his caretakers out of our govt tomorrow.
Thank you, John. Of all the words published and spoken this morning you have written the most beautiful and deeply perceptive tribute to, and about, Mr Colbert. There is a language among those, especially those of young age, who experience profound unexpected tragedies. I am so proud of Stephen for articulating publicly the heart-aching but ultimately true “gift” of loss and grief. Not many in his public forum would be so brave. Or so human. As a wise minister once caringly quoted to me, “God will not leave you comfortless.” I hope Stephen and staff and writers and band and crew members know that in the recent moments of national feelings of anxious comfortlessness, they told the truth and made sure they served us the best smiles and laughs for us to remember and share with our friends and work colleagues in the morning. Their mantra may well have been the determination to assure the audience every night that “… hope cometh in the morning.” What a gift.
He certainly will be missed in our house. At 7pm we sit down to watch last nights recording…. We’re gonna go through withdrawal again. Did the same when you left the news.
I was so happy to see you as we binge watched Late Night with Stephen Colbert’s last few shows. You’re a treasure too, I’m so grateful for your earnest hard work sharing truth as you find it. I love you John Dickerson.
I was in the Late Show audience in person many times and at home as a daily ritual since the Trump disaster began and through the pandemic. I know my mental health was better with the opportunity to commiserate and laugh about the incredibly insane events we have been experiencing. John, you express what I am feeling so accurately. I miss you on TV but am grateful for this Substack communication. I am experiencing deep sorrow that Stephen’s show has fallen into some strange vortex when it is loved by so many. I wore my Last Show with Stephen Colbert T-shirt today in tribute and was pleased to get compliments and thumbs up! I’ll never forget getting to Hi-5 Jon Batiste on one of his turns around the Ed Sullivan theater. I feel about Stephen, YOU, Jon and all the Late Show people the same as Jon when he says, I love you, even if I don’t know you!
Thank you for such a beautiful tribute. The world is a better place because you and Mr. Colbert are in it.
Excellent. The pettiness and insecurity that caused the cancellation is unAmerican. Humor is one of the few things that has gotten me through great loss and is what I have been clinging to since 11-5-24 (after the shock wore off). Cheers to Colbert. Thank God for the comedians.
During the early darkest days of the pandemic Stephen Colbert’s shows from his home were a lifeline for me, helping return me to some sense of sanity and normalcy. (I was a practicing physician). Moving forward, he has used clever humor to assuage our anxiety over our current situation in the US. I was fortunate enough to join the audience for one of his shows. Every member of his staff who met us on Broadway, kept us company in the lobby or escorted us to our seats really did appear to sincerely enjoy working there. There were not so much as working as they were there to enjoy the show with us. And yes, that says more about the real Stephen Colbert than any five star Google review can. Thank you, John, for your wonderful essay on the man who has given so much of himself to us.
John, thank you. These days we search for humanity and you have been a good guide.
Wow! Great post. Beautifully thought out and written
People are known by the company they keep. You and Colbert are known. ❤️
Such a nice and quiet tip of the hat to Mr. Dickerson and his emceeing the Colbert Questionert to Mr. Colbert.
This summarizes his gift; I know I felt seen and heard from home in a time in our world where disconnection and discord seem to be the goal. You are two very similar talents and gifts. Humor is Mr. Colbert’s vehicle, where you use history for context of any given topic. I have missed your reporting and insights…so grateful to have found you here. I will miss Mr. Colbert’s humor and concise commentary. I hope he, too, finds a visible forum. Be well, Mr. D
Perfect
John ~
Thank you for putting feelings to paper (or computer)! I need to do the same. I will at some moment, but my feelings are too raw! Also, after I finally watch the last episode. I am mat ready for "The day the laughter died".
However, I am looking forward to Stephen T. Colbert's next "life"! Maybe it will be in a Substack essay with his dear friend Jobs Dickerson. Always loved when you were on his show.
Thank you, again, for all you do!
jill
Thank you, John Dickerson, for doing your share in letting Stephen Tyrone Colbert be known. While I'm not a fan of CBS, I am grateful they gave us 10 months to build to a proper goodbye/sendoff. The roof photo with Stephen elevated on a ladder shows the leader he continued to be to his Late Show crew to the end. I imagine him saying "go forth and share that which you have learned." We are all the people on the roof, having benefitted from his tireless commitment to deliver the daily events with both levity and humanity. Thank you to Stephen Colbert for eleven years of laughing, so that we cannot be afraid.
A beautiful tribute. It reminded me of your hug after you finished The Colbert Questionert. This isn’t right. It’s un-American. Wish we could vote to get the “monstrous baby” and his caretakers out of our govt tomorrow.
Great commentary..thoughtful as usual. Thank you John. Farewell to The Late Show…
Thank you, John. Of all the words published and spoken this morning you have written the most beautiful and deeply perceptive tribute to, and about, Mr Colbert. There is a language among those, especially those of young age, who experience profound unexpected tragedies. I am so proud of Stephen for articulating publicly the heart-aching but ultimately true “gift” of loss and grief. Not many in his public forum would be so brave. Or so human. As a wise minister once caringly quoted to me, “God will not leave you comfortless.” I hope Stephen and staff and writers and band and crew members know that in the recent moments of national feelings of anxious comfortlessness, they told the truth and made sure they served us the best smiles and laughs for us to remember and share with our friends and work colleagues in the morning. Their mantra may well have been the determination to assure the audience every night that “… hope cometh in the morning.” What a gift.
He certainly will be missed in our house. At 7pm we sit down to watch last nights recording…. We’re gonna go through withdrawal again. Did the same when you left the news.
I was so happy to see you as we binge watched Late Night with Stephen Colbert’s last few shows. You’re a treasure too, I’m so grateful for your earnest hard work sharing truth as you find it. I love you John Dickerson.
I was in the Late Show audience in person many times and at home as a daily ritual since the Trump disaster began and through the pandemic. I know my mental health was better with the opportunity to commiserate and laugh about the incredibly insane events we have been experiencing. John, you express what I am feeling so accurately. I miss you on TV but am grateful for this Substack communication. I am experiencing deep sorrow that Stephen’s show has fallen into some strange vortex when it is loved by so many. I wore my Last Show with Stephen Colbert T-shirt today in tribute and was pleased to get compliments and thumbs up! I’ll never forget getting to Hi-5 Jon Batiste on one of his turns around the Ed Sullivan theater. I feel about Stephen, YOU, Jon and all the Late Show people the same as Jon when he says, I love you, even if I don’t know you!