"The Colbert Report" was supposed to be new last night. But Comedy Central abruptly canceled Wednesday's taping, alerting audience members with tickets to the late afternoon production in an email:

Due to unforseen [sic] circumstances, we have canceled our taping for the date of your ticket reservation, February 15, 2012. We are very sorry for any inconvenience. Unfortunately, we are unable to reschedule your tickets. You may make a new reservation for another date on www.colbertnation.com/tickets.

Comedy Central ran a repeat of the show (guest: Herman Cain). The host last tweeted on Valentine's Day.

Colbert's agent did not immediately return an email message seeking comment.

In an email, a spokesman for the network said: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, the show will air repeat episodes on Wednesday, February 15 and Thursday, February 16." Friday is always a rerun.

According to a source close to the show, the next original episode is scheduled for Monday, though there is no word yet on whether any additional shows will be canceled.

A last-minute cancellation for Comedy Central's fake news shows is pretty unusual. As as Third Beat blogger Sharilyn Johnson noted:

The Daily Show has suspended production last-minute due to personal reasons twice during Jon Stewart's reign: once when his second child was born, and once when a staff member passed away suddenly. If this week's reasons are of a similar nature, it would be a first for the Colbert Report.

UPDATE: According to the Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the show, production was halted "because of an emergency in Mr. Colbert's family." The network would not comment "on any speculation."

[H/T: Mediaite]

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