Satirical talk show "The Colbert Report" has temporarily suspended production for reasons still unknown. Comedy Central has lined up Colbert Report reruns for the rest of the week, but hasn't explained why.
Satirical talk show "The Colbert Report" has temporarily suspended production for reasons still unknown. Comedy Central has lined up Colbert Report reruns for the rest of the week, but hasn't explained why. Reuters

Popular Comedy Central talk show The Colbert Report has temporarily suspended production for reasons still unknown, according to Michael van Poppel, the president and founder of BNO News. CNN has also confirmed that The Colbert Report has stopped production on the show, but did not have any further explanation why. Host Stephen Colbert and his representatives did not respond to initial inquiry.

The showrunners at The Colbert Report reportedly canceled yesterday's live taping, e-mailing audience members with a vague explanation.

Due to unforeseen 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. If you have any further questions please contact us at audience@thecolbertrport.com.

Third Beat, a website that writes about comedy news and tours, has a theory why Colbert has suspended his show:

A last-minute cancellation is highly unusual for Comedy Central's fake news shows, said Frances Martel, a writer for Third Beat. 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.

Comedy Central has planned reruns of The Colbert Report for the rest of the week, but has not explained why.

The Colbert Report is one of the most-watched programs on Comedy Central after with its sister show The Daily Show, mostly due to the antics of its host, political satirist, writer and comedian Stephen Colbert.

Colbert, who performed with the Second City comedy troupe in Chicago for many years before enjoying stints on Strangers With Candy and The Daily Show, launched The Colbert Report in 2005 as a spin-off to Jon Stewart's program. The Colbert Report is one of Comedy Central's highest rated series, and Colbert himself has earned three Emmy Award nominations and even received an invite to perform at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in 2006. Colbert was named one of Time's 100 most influential people that year.

Stay tuned with more information as it rolls in...

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