On September 8, comedian Stephen Colbert succeeded David Letterman as the host of The Late Show. This date marked the end of a twenty-two-year Late Show dynasty for Letterman, who retired from television in May after being the host of the show since its debut in August 1993. Colbert, the show’s new host, makes his return to national television after leaving his highly praised show, The Colbert Report, in December.

Stephen Colbert is most notable for his work on the TV network Comedy Central. From 1997 through 2005, Colbert served as a correspondent on The Daily Show, where he was first introduced to a wide television audience. During his time as a correspondent, Colbert portrayed a character that would be the foundation for his famous role on The Colbert Report: a self-absorbed, pretentious journalist who frequently depicted his ignorance throughout the episodes of The Daily Show. However, it was not until his start at The Colbert Report that his character truly blossomed and gained widespread attention.

His persona, which mocks political commentary shows such as The O’Reilly Factor, has been critically acclaimed and applauded by his large fan base. When Colbert announced his hosting position on The Late Show, many fans were anxious to see how Colbert would portray himself. As his debut revealed, Colbert has abandoned his persona and is himself on The Late Show.

Despite Colbert’s decision to abandon his renowned character, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert was one of the most anticipated TV premieres of the year. According to CBS News, the pilot episode of the show garnered an astounding 6.6 million viewers, a new record for Colbert; his final episode of The Colbert Report received only 2.5 million viewers. The episode, featuring actor George Clooney and Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush, was the night’s most viewed late night program, surpassing Late Night with Seth Meyers, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Viewership increased by one hundred thirty one percent compared to the premiere of the final season that David Letterman hosted. To put Colbert’s massive audience in perspective, The Late Show with David Letterman averaged about 2 to 3 million viewers a night.

Kaitlyn Van Baalen ’18, a passionate Stephen Colbert enthusiast, describes her opinions as to why Colbert has achieved such noteworthy acclaim: “He’s hilarious because he points out the truth. He can make even the most serious situations seem laughable and that’s something everyone who gets tired of hearing depressing news finds appealing. I was definitely a fan of his old show and the character he portrayed (not to mention very sad when it ended), but I think he’s doing just as well hosting late night. He has a sharp wit and self-deprecating streak that makes him versatile as a comedian and entertainer, and especially appealing to young audiences. [I] can’t wait to see what he’ll do with The Late Show in coming seasons!”

Another important factor contributing to Colbert’s recognition is how he differentiates himself from other late-night hosts. While the others refrain from exploring complex, sometimes emotional topics in order to maintain a lighthearted atmosphere, Colbert does the exact opposite.

An interview with Vice President Joe Biden during the first week of the show resulted in a heartfelt, authentic exchange. During their conversation, the two discussed the personal losses both had suffered throughout their lives and how their family and faith had helped them to cope with these losses. As a host, Colbert is able to draw his audience in a way that makes them feel as if they are part of the conversation, rather than onlookers. During such somber moments on the show, Colbert is able to provide comic relief for the audience without becoming awkward or out of place, an art only mastered by those who have worked in the entertainment industry for many years.

Regarding the show, fan Anvitha Prasad ’18 comments, “In my opinion, Stephen Colbert is a genius in the way he incorporates his satirical humor into serious topics and still manages to convey his message. I find him entertaining, but at the same time I consider him to be a person who is passionate about matters he truly cares about.”

No matter what route he decides to take with The Late Show, Stephen Colbert will most certainly see success in his future on primetime television.

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert airs weeknights at 11:35 on CBS.