After 10 seasons of political satire and "truthiness," The Colbert Report is signing off Thursday as host Stephen Colbert makes his way to the Late Show next year. We round up some of the Comedy Central late-night host's biggest moments:
1997: Colbert joins The Daily Show as a correspondent
Before he brings his blowhard persona to the Report, Colbert is a correspondent on The Daily Show with Craig Kilborn, and later Jon Stewart, starring in recurring segments such as "This Week in God" and "Even Stevphen" alongside Steve Carell. He leaves the show in 2005 to helm his own news satire show, also on Comedy Central.
Oct. 17, 2005: The Colbert Report premieres
On the first episode of The Daily Show spinoff, Colbert shows off his C-shaped desk and welcomes his audience of "heroes," the people who are "not the elites. You're not the country club crowd." He also coins the term "truthiness." He says, "anyone can read the news to you, I promise to feel the news at you."
April 29, 2006: Colbert hosts the White House Correspondents' Dinner
Colbert earns rave reviews roasting President George W. Bush and the media in a tour de force performance. "I believe in this president," he said. "Now, I know there are some polls out there saying that this man has a 32 percent approval rating. But guys like us, we don't pay attention to the polls. We know that polls are just a collection of statistics that reflect what people are thinking in 'reality.' And reality has a well-known liberal bias."
Jan. 18, 2007: Colbert guests on The O'Reilly Factor
He sits down with Fox News political commentator Bill O'Reilly, whom he mimics on Report and reveres as "Papa Bear." Since then, the two have playfully sparred on their respective shows.
Oct. 16, 2007: Colbert announces he is running for president
Colbert says he is running in the 2008 presidential election by entering the race in his native South Carolina. "I have heard the call," he says.
June 8-11, 2009: The Colbert Report goes to Iraq
Colbert airs four episodes from Iraq, wearing a camouflage suit and undergoing a military makeover. "Without my hair, what would I blow-dry?" he laments.
Dec. 6, 2012: Campaign launches for Colbert to take Senate seat
The South Carolina native asks Governor Nikki Haley to appoint him to replace GOP Sen. Jim DeMint of the Palmetto State after he resigns. "Take to the Twitters," urges Colbert, and use the hashtag #senatorcolbert. "That feels right."
Aug. 6, 2013: Colbert scores viral hit with star-studded Get Lucky
When Daft Punk cancels their performance on his show at the last minute to play the MTV Video Music Awards, Colbert recruits celebrities such as Bryan Cranston, Matt Damon, JImmy Fallon and others to dance along with him to the popular hit.
March 31, 2014: Colbert responds to a campaign to #CancelColbert
After tweeting a joke about Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder's new foundation, The Colbert Report comes under fire for racism, with Twitter users starting the hashtag #CancelColbert. Colbert responds to the outrage on his personal account, tweeting, "#CancelColbert – I agree! Just saw @ColbertReport tweet. I share your rage."
Dec. 18, 2014: The Colbert Report airs final episode
The last guest: The Grim Reaper.
September 2015: Colbert takes over for David Letterman on TheLate Show
Longtime host Letterman exits the show May 20 and Colbert begins his stint in September. His Report replacement, The Nightly Show with Larry Willmore, kicks off Jan. 19.
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