#CBS’ ‘Late Show’ Off Air This Week After Stephen Colbert Suffers Ruptured Appendix

CBS‘ Late Show will be on an unplanned post-Thanksgiving hiatus after host Stephen Colbert says he is recovering after surgery for a ruptured appendix.

Colbert shared the news on Instagram’s Threads service.

“Sorry to say that I have to cancel our shows this week,” the statement begins. “I’m sure you’re thinking, ‘Turkey overdose, Steve? Gravy boat capsize?’ Actually, I’m recovering from surgery for a ruptured appendix. I’m grateful to my doctors for their care and to Evie and the kids for putting up with me. Going forward, all emails to my appendix will be handled by my pancreas.”

The Late Show was scheduled to return Tuesday night with new episodes. Jennifer Garner, Baz Luhrmann, Sir Patrick Stewart, Barbara Streisand and Kelsey Grammer weere among the guests slated to appear.

In addition, Jon Batiste, who was Colbert’s first band leader and left the show last year, was scheduled to return to the program as an interviewee and musical guest Wednesday.

The ruptured appendix is the second medical issue to sideline new episodes of the Late Show in the past two months. In October, the show canceled a week of programs as Colbert recovered from a bout of COVID-19.

And of course, the Late Show was dark for all of the summer due to the WGA strike.