NEW YORK (AP) — Stephen Colbert began his tenure as host of the CBS “Late Show” Tuesday with a tribute to predecessor David Letterman, a brief conversation with rival Jimmy Fallon and a surprise cameo from Comedy Central buddy Jon Stewart.
After months of buildup, the former host of “The Colbert Report,” returned to late-night TV by gorging on Donald Trump jokes and noting his transition from playing the character of a cable TV blowhard to being himself.
“With this show I begin the search for the real Stephen Colbert,” he said. “I just hope I don’t find him on Ashley Madison.”
Colbert was joined by actor George Clooney and Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush. He completes the remake of late-night network television from the days of Letterman and Jay Leno to the two Jimmys (Fallon and Kimmel) and himself.
Colbert showed a picture of the now-retired Letterman, saying that he bowed to no one as a Letterman fan.