A Former Intern Recalls Bombing While Standing In for Stephen Colbert on The Late Show
By
Alison Foreman
Toasted golden, schmeared with insight. Top of the rack.
Summary
A personal essay from a former intern who filled in for Stephen Colbert on "The Late Show" in 2017, recounting the experience of bombing on the Ed Sullivan stage. The article reflects on the now-removed episode from Paramount+, the surreal nature of the opportunity, and the lessons learned from a high-pressure comedy failure. It blends nostalgia, behind-the-scenes TV production insight, and the unique culture of late-night television.
Key quotes
· 5 pulledFor reasons I won't speculate about in print, the complete July 31, 2017 episode of 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' is no longer available on Paramount+.
I bombed on the Ed Sullivan stage. It was spectacular, humiliating, and unforgettable.
There's something about the late-night format that makes failure feel both public and intimate at the same time.
The Ed Sullivan Theater has a kind of gravity to it — you feel the weight of everyone who's stood on that stage before you.
In the end, the episode being scrubbed from existence feels fitting. Some things are meant to be remembered only by the people who were there.
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