Chicago loses a comedy outlet with end of Colbert's show
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Stephen Colbert delivering a monologue a week ago. Photo: Scott Kowalchyk/CBS via Getty Images
When Stephen Colbert signs off permanently Thursday night, it'll also mark the end of an era for several "Late Show" staffers who got their start in Chicago.
The latest: "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" is ending its run after CBS canceled the show, having produced nearly 1,800 episodes.
State of play: Colbert, who came up through The Second City, has hired many writers from Chicago over the years, including for his "Late Show" staff of more than 20 writers.
What they're saying: "There's a kind of creative shorthand for comedy makers that have gone through the Second City ecosystem," the theater's Kelly Leonard tells Axios.
- "Late-night writers' rooms are an explosive blend of hilarity, satire and barely contained creative chaos ... in other words, Second City 101," Leonard adds.
By the numbers: Writers with Chicago ties — some dating back to "The Colbert Report" days at Comedy Central — have included Paul Dinello, Tom Purcell, Ariel Dumas, Brian Stack, Jen Spyra, John Thibodeaux, Asher Perlman, Steve Waltien, Carley Mosely and many more.
- "Being in a writers' room like that is all about collaboration," former 'Colbert Report' writer and Second City alum Peter Grosz tells Axios.
- "You have to both show up with your own ideas and then be able to riff on someone else's. That's exactly what it's like building a revue at Second City."
Zoom in: Colbert brought "The Late Show" to Chicago multiple times, including for a weeklong run during the 2024 Democratic National Convention.
- Colbert also serves on Second City's board of directors.
Between the lines: With Colbert off the air, Second City loses one of its biggest pipelines for placing up-and-coming talent in late-night.
- Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel hire Chicago talent, too — but not at the rate Colbert did.
The bottom line: Wherever Colbert lands next, don't be surprised if Chicago writers follow.
When to watch: "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" airs its final episode Thursday at 10:35pm.