'The Late Show' Called Off, Stephen Colbert Out With COVID-19... Again
By Kristin Myers on May 11, 2022 at 10:30 AM EDT
“The Late Show” host Stephen Colbert just got back from being sick with COVID-19 and now he’s out again!
“The Late Show” took to Twitter to announce that there will not be any new shows of the late-night comedy show until further notice.
‘The Late Show’ Says Stephen Colbert Is Out With A ‘Recurrence Of COVID’
Stephen is experiencing symptoms consistent with a recurrence of COVID. Out of an abundance of caution for his staff, guests, and audience, he will be isolating for a few additional days. The Late Show will not be taping new episodes until further notice.
— The Late Show (@colbertlateshow) May 9, 2022
On Monday, “The Late Show” tweeted, “Stephen is experiencing symptoms consistent with a recurrence of COVID. Out of an abundance of caution for his staff, guests, and audience, he will be isolating for a few additional days. The Late Show will not be taping new episodes until further notice.”
Many fans were quick to express their concern for the former “The Colbert Report” host.
I hope he takes his time. Long Covid is real and it’s debilitating. Covid is not just a flu, even with vaccines and paxlovid.
— Kathleen (@MeKathleen) May 9, 2022
"I hope he takes his time. Long Covid is real and it’s debilitating," one fan commented. "Covid is not just a flu, even with vaccines and paxlovid."
Having just come back from 10 days of covid after escaping it for 2 years double vaccinated double boosted fever of 103 never tested positive until 3 days later prednisone could not get the antiviral just starting to feel better stay safe everyone
— Maribeth (@MaribethW9007) May 10, 2022
"Having just come back from 10 days of covid after escaping it for 2 years double vaccinated double boosted fever of 103 never tested positive until 3 days later prednisone could not get the antiviral just starting to feel better stay safe everyone," another fan commented.
Ugh. Please take covid seriously, everyone. He's vaxxed and boosted.
— boopie (@sarajean323) May 9, 2022
"Ugh. Please take covid seriously, everyone. He's vaxxed and boosted," another fan noted.
Stephen Colbert Calls COVID-19 Relapse The Worst Sequel Ever!
WORST. SEQUEL. EVER. https://t.co/a0rfw32xTH
— Stephen Colbert (@StephenAtHome) May 9, 2022
On Twitter, Colbert joked about his diagnosis by calling it the "WORST. SEQUEL. EVER."
But I got all gussied up! Feel better, Friendo!
— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) May 9, 2022
"But I got all gussied up!" wrote comedian Sarah Silverman, responding to her canceled appearance. "Feel better, Friendo!"
As per Entertainment Weekly, Monday's episode was supposed to feature guests Sarah Silverman, Shaquille O'Neal, and a musical performance by Sharon Van Etten. Other guests scheduled for the week included former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, Tracy Letts, Jean Smart, Hugh Dancy, Jake Tapper, Beach House, Ken Jeong, and Regina Spektor.
Colbert Is No Longer ‘Feeling Fine’ After COVID-19 Diagnosis
At the beginning of May, Colbert walked on stage to overwhelming applause from his live audience after his return from his first bout of COVID-19. He called their applause “all the medicine you need” and assured them that he was “back” and “feeling fine.”
He said that he didn’t “feel great” the first few days after his diagnosis, but admitted that he still hadn’t totally recovered, calling it a “serious head cold.”
“The first three days sucked,” Colbert recalled. “But by day six, I was testing negative. Now on day 12, I’m back with a serious head cold. So, go figure.”
In a later segment on the show, Colbert urged his viewers to get vaccinated and boosted if they haven’t already done so. He told viewers that getting COVID-19 is “not a pleasant experience.”
He added that his wife, Evie, was also sick at home and said they were “forced nesting” together while they recovered. He also joked about host Jimmy Kimmel and his recent COVID-19 diagnosis at the beginning of May.
“Of course, I’m on the East Coast, Jimmy’s in LA, there’s no way I could have given it to him,” Colbert joked. “And yes, last week, I did lick a lot of things and FedEx them to his office. But I only paid for two days: gotta be sterile by the time he opens it.”