A night to remember: Stephen Colbert’s Chicago takeover
A quiet morning after a lively night
The Auditorium Theatre in downtown Chicago was eerily quiet on Tuesday morning, a stark contrast to the bustling activity of the previous night. The reason? “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” had kicked off a four-night run of live shows from this historic venue, part of the Roosevelt University campus. The first episode didn’t wrap up until a little after 1 a.m. Central Time, leaving the area in a state of calm recovery.
The calm before the storm
Around lunchtime, the scene outside the theater was almost serene, save for one lone man with two large backpacks. Was he a dedicated fan waiting days for a ticket, or just a Roosevelt student enjoying some downtime? The rest of the pedestrians and students seemed oblivious to the major late-night talk show being prepped behind the theater’s doors. A few live trucks and a large poster of Colbert holding a Chicago hot dog were the only hints of the excitement brewing for Night 2 of the residency.
The long wait for a late show
Fans were advised not to line up until 6 p.m., but eager audience members began queuing as early as 4:45 p.m. on Monday. Those who did ended up spending a grueling eight hours at the Auditorium. The show, which typically airs at 10:35 p.m. Central Time, was delayed due to the lengthy first night of the Democratic National Convention. President Joe Biden’s speech didn’t start until around 10:30 p.m. and lasted nearly an hour, pushing the local news and “The Late Show” to start around midnight.
Colbert’s monologue: A blend of humor and reality
“It was an extraordinary night and extraordinarily long,” Colbert quipped in his monologue. “Technically, and correct me if I’m wrong, we’ve just rolled over into the first night of the 2028 campaign.” Despite the late hour, the crowd’s energy was palpable. “It was a really raucous, enthusiastic crowd despite the fact that we didn’t get on the air until just before 1 a.m. ET,” noted one production insider.
The historic venue: A character of its own
The Auditorium Theatre, which opened in 1889, seats nearly 4,000 people. Audience members were expected to be in their seats by 8 p.m., where they could watch the convention proceedings on a big screen. This setup allowed the “Late Show” team to react in real-time to the evening’s events, ensuring the audience was in sync with Colbert’s monologue. The warm-up comedian took over once the DNC ended and CBS switched to local news, getting the crowd hyped for the show.
A star-studded lineup
Monday’s guests included former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and “Veep” star Julia Louis-Dreyfus. The show opened with a pre-taped segment featuring Colbert, Jennifer Hudson, Nick Offerman, Sean Hayes, Jason Sudeikis, Robert Smigel, and George Wendt in a humorous rendition of the “Chicago National Anthem.”
Live episodes continued on Tuesday with guests like Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and a special appearance by Laura Benanti, known for her portrayal of Melania Trump on the show. Wednesday’s lineup featured Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and a performance by Chance the Rapper. Thursday promised a live show following Kamala Harris’s speech, with guests including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and a performance by Mavis Staples and Jeff Tweedy.
The anticipation builds
With reports suggesting that speakers were asked to shorten their remarks during Tuesday’s DNC, there was hope that “The Late Show” might start on time—or at least before midnight. The excitement and anticipation for the remaining nights were palpable, promising more memorable moments and star-studded appearances.
For those who missed the live action, you can catch the highlights and more on the official Late Show with Stephen Colbert page.
This article aims to provide a comprehensive and engaging overview of Stephen Colbert’s Chicago residency, blending personal reflections with in-depth analysis. Whether you’re a fan of cinema, TV series, or music, there’s something here for everyone to enjoy and reflect upon.