Stephen Colbert has showcased a special fondness for Canada through his late-night segments. Over the years, on both CBS’s “Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report,” he has humorously poked fun at Canadian currency, politics, and culture, treating the country like a cherished crush he affectionately teases in public.
Despite Paramount and CBS executives attributing the show’s upcoming conclusion to financial considerations amid challenges in late-night programming, eyebrows were raised when the cancellation announcement followed Colbert’s vocal stance against Paramount Global, CBS’s parent company, settling a lawsuit with former U.S. President Donald Trump regarding a “60 Minutes” story.
As the final episode of Colbert’s show approaches on Thursday, May 21, let’s reminisce about some of his most notable Canadian-themed moments.
In a 2014 blog post by Ancestry.ca, it was revealed that Colbert’s family history connects him to Canada through his great-great-grandfather, James Quinn, who settled in Frontenac County near Kingston, Ontario.
One of Colbert’s comedic highlights includes suggesting humorous edits to Canada’s national anthem in 2016, playfully incorporating references to Canadian celebrities like Ryan Gosling and Ryan Reynolds.
His satirical take on Canada extended to a mock citizenship test in 2019, where he humorously answered questions with references to Canadian stereotypes like Tim Hortons and Gordon Lightfoot songs.
Colbert also engaged with Canadian politicians, notably interviewing former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, discussing Canadian identity and even joking about Canadian bacon.
Throughout his show, Colbert welcomed numerous Canadian stars, expressing admiration for icons like Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy, and engaging in fun interactions with artists like Michael Bublé and Sandra Oh.
In a memorable moment, Colbert playfully mocked Windsor, Ontario, in a segment on geothermal power, leading to a humorous exchange with Windsor’s mayor and even referencing CBC News in his comedy bit.
As Stephen Colbert bids farewell to his late-night show, his playful and endearing portrayal of Canada will surely be remembered fondly.