The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
CBS Studios
The Coronavirus Pandemic of 2020 should have proven deadly to late-night television, a genre heavily dependent on the connection between the comedian host and a live audience. With New York filming restrictions in place, Stephen Colbert decided to move production of his CBS Late Show to his home outside of Charleston, South Carolina. What resulted was a temporary but remarkably successful transformation of the late-night television model by a host inviting us into his home, rather than his typical comforting presence in our living rooms and bedrooms. But the success of The Late Show’s transformation was the product of more than just these spatial changes. Amidst suffering in a global pandemic, a public fed up with police violence against African Americans, and a morally contemptuous president fighting for his political life, Colbert’s genuine and deeply felt ethical nature provided a nightly salve the nation desperately needed in such ferment. Colbert’s righteous indignation at politicians who put themselves above the public good may have turned off certain audiences, but for others, his humanity, kindness, and gentle spirit offered the kind of guiding national voice of old, one that reminded us that despite our very real and immediate challenges, we would persevere and endure as a nation. For combining comedy with genuine goodness at one of our darkest hours, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert wins a Peabody.
PRIMARY PRODUCTION CREDITS
Showrunner: Chris Licht. Executive Producers: Stephen T. Colbert, Chris Licht, Tom Purcell, Jon Stewart. Associate Producers/Producers: Tanya Michnevich Bracco, Barry Julien, Opus Moreschi, Denise Rehrig, Aaron Cohen, Paul Dinello, Emily Gertler, Jay Katsir, Matt Lappin, Bjoern Stejskal, Sara Vilkomerson, Ballard C. Boyd, Michael Brumm, Gabe Gronli, Paige Kendig, Jake Plunkett, Adam Wager, Louis J. Grieci, Wynn Harrison, Jessica Vitkus, Megan Gearheart, Neil Goldman, Carly Hillman, Ali Jaffe, Greg Reutershan, Nick Vasile, Anja Crwder, Kateri Palen, Eliora Noetzel, Brandon Marianacci, Tom Auseten, Dominique Banas, Michael Buckholt, Cindy Hassan, Caroline Lazar, Jami McGuigan, Jonah Meyerson, Aaron Nemo, Emily R. Newman, Emily Potthast, Carlee Rasner, Jessica Shrecker, Sarah Twarog, Sara Mlinari, Aron
Bryan, Talib Babb, Alisha Zafar. Director: Jim Hoskinson. Writers: Aariel Dumas, Jay Katsir, Stephen T. Colbert, Delmonte Bent, Michael Brumm, River Clegg, Aaron Cohen, Nicole Conlan, Paul Dinello, Glenn Eichler, Django Gold, Gabe Gronli, Barry Julien, Michael Cruz Kayne, Eliana Kwartler, Matt Lappin, Felipe Torres Medina, Opus Moreschi, Asher Perlman, Tom Purcell, Kate Sidley, Brian Stack, John Thibodeaux, Steve Waltien. Editors: Mark Spada, Jason Baker, Bryan Dinello, Andrew Matheson, Amanda Sprecher, Rachel Whitaker. Talent: Stephen Colbert. Design and Technical Staff: Andro Buneta, Paul Hildebrand, Kristopher long, Bill Marko, John Henry, Yvonne De Mare, Karen Yaeger, Mark McKenna, Jeff Leib, Karen Obel Cape, Michael Scricca, Pierre De Laforcade, Jim Fenhagen, Larry Hartman, Brendan Hurley, Riley Melon, Kamal Rountree, Erik Akerblom, Mike Azzarello, Tim Dwight. Sound/Music: John Batiste.