Stephen Colbert's "Late Show" set lands in Chicago

Justin Kaufmann

Nighttime street scene in front of the Ed Sullivan Theater marquee advertising "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert"; bright yellow bulbs frame bold red lettering as people walk below. — The "Late Show with Stephen Colbert" marquee. Photo: Courtesy of Museum of Broadcast Communications

Stephen Colbert's late-night desk has a new home in Chicago.

The latest: The Museum of Broadcast Communications debuts its new "Late Show with Stephen Colbert" exhibition Friday, featuring the original set and artifacts from the recently ended CBS show.

The museum is also getting the giant "Late Show" marquee that hung outside New York's Ed Sullivan Theater.

What they're saying: "This iconic marquee is an extraordinary addition to our late-night collection," MBC CEO David Plier said in a release. "We're excited to bring together the set, artifacts and now this iconic piece of television history from Broadway for fans to experience."

State of play: The museum will feature Colbert's desk, credenza, set pieces, guest chairs and more scenery from the show.

Zoom in: The Colbert artifacts will fit right in with the museum's current "Evolution of Late-Night Television" exhibition, where they'll become a permanent addition.

Visitors can already take photos sitting behind Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show" desk.

Zoom out: While the show was filmed in New York City, Colbert has deep ties to Chicago. He cut his comedic teeth at Second City in the early 1990s alongside Steve Carell and Amy Sedaris in mainstage revues including "Take Me Out to the Balkans" and "Are You Now, Or Have You Ever Been Mellow?"

He currently serves on the famed comedy theater's board of directors.

If you go: The new exhibition opens Friday at 10am. Admission to the West Loop museum (440 W Randolph St.) is $24 for adults.

Add Axios on Google

Stephen Colbert's "Late Show" set lands in Chicago

More Chicago stories