Stephen Colbert, known for his late-night humor, has showcased a playful obsession with Canada over the years. From his time on CBS’s “Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report,” he has humorously teased and celebrated Canadian currency, politics, and culture. However, this affectionate jesting is about to conclude, as Colbert announced last July that the upcoming season would be the show’s last due to financial reasons.
The decision to end the show raised some eyebrows, particularly as it followed Colbert’s public criticism of Paramount Global, CBS’s parent company, after a legal dispute settlement with former U.S. President Donald Trump over a “60 Minutes” story. As the final episode of the show approaches on May 21, we take a look back at some of Colbert’s most memorable Canadian-themed moments.
In a 2014 blog post by Ancestry.ca, it was revealed that Colbert has Canadian roots through his great-great-grandparents who settled in Ontario. Colbert humorously engaged with Canadian topics such as the national anthem, proposing comical edits in response to legislative changes in 2016. He also playfully tackled a mock Canadian citizenship test in 2019, showcasing his witty take on Canadian stereotypes.
Colbert didn’t shy away from poking fun at Canadian politeness, particularly in response to Trump’s policies affecting Canada. He also interviewed Canadian politicians, including former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, engaging in humorous exchanges about Canadian identity and culture.
Throughout his show, Colbert hosted various Canadian celebrities, expressing admiration for stars like Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy. He even sang a Canadian sea shanty with Michael Bublé and questioned Sandra Oh about Canadian niceness.
One of Colbert’s jests involved a playful jab at Windsor, Ontario, referencing the city in a humorous comparison. Despite some pushback, Colbert stood by his joke, even referencing a CBC News poll about the incident.
As Colbert bids farewell to his late-night show, his playful interactions and jests with all things Canadian have left a lasting impression on viewers.