‘Late Show’ host Stephen Colbert announced on Thursday night that he would never play Stephen Colbert again on his show.
Let us explain.
Colbert formerly played an eccentric, right-wing conservative news host under the same name as the host of ‘The Colbert Report’ on Comedy Central. Since moving to CBS to take over ‘The Late Show’ from David Letterman, Colbert has been forced to ditch the lovable character his fans adored.
Due to overwhelming demand, the TV personality occasionally slipped back into his old character to give his audience a giggle. However, due to legal letters claiming intellectual rights to the character Stephen Colbert, he is now no longer allowed to resurrect it.
“CBS’s top lawyer was contacted by the top lawyer from another company to say that the character Stephen Colbert is their intellectual property,” Colbert said on Thursday night’s show. “So, it is with a heavy heart, that I announce that - thanks to corporate lawyers - the character of Stephen Colbert, host of ‘The Colbert Report,’ will never be seen again.”
Topping off the sad announcement, Colbert decided to respond to the claims in a very cheeky way.
“The lawyers have spoken. I cannot reasonably argue I own my face or name.”
Not only did he announce the end of ‘The Colbert Report’s version of Stephen Colbert, he also introduced the character’s “identical twin cousin” who just happens to be very similar and bears the same name.
In addition, he decided to renew a much-loved segment from his old show, but changed a single letter in the title to avoid more legal action.
Very, very well played Stephen.