It is expected that the suspension of original production for show will not be indefinite. Colbert show suspended temporarily

The late-night comedy program hosted by Stephen Colbert has suspended production for at least two days this week, possibly due to an illness in his family.

The Colbert Report, the home of relentless parodying of super PACs and the campaign finance system, will not air original episodes on Wednesday or Thursday.


“Due to unforeseen circumstances, the show will air repeat episodes on Wednesday, February 15 and Thursday, February 16,” Comedy Central Senior VP for Communications Steve Albani told POLITICO.

Albani would not comment on the specific reasons for the suspension, saying Comedy Central was “not providing any additional details at this time.”

It is expected that the suspension of original production will not be indefinite, and that the show will return soon.

The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that the suspension in production was due to an emergency in Colbert’s family, citing people familiar with the show. The Huffington Post reported that the family member in question was Colbert’s mother, who is seriously ill and was the reason for the show’s suspension.

Asked whether this report was correct, Albani declined to confirm or deny. “We’re not going to comment on any speculation,” he said.

Colbert and his wife, Evelyn McGee, have three children, according to a profile on celebrity parents on the parents.com website.

According to Third Beat Magazine, which covers comedy, the Colbert Report’s audience received a notification email announcing the cancellation of live taping.

“Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have canceled our taping for the date of your ticket reservation, February 15, 2012,” the email read, according to the magazine.