You wouldn't expect Stephen Colbert to launch his Late Show without his TV BFF, would you?
Of course not. The surprising part about Jon Stewart's blink-and-you'll-miss-it visit to Colbert's very first CBS show, though, was how early in the night it occurred: in the premiere's first few moments. Stewart showed up at the end of a goofy-sincere cold open that featured Colbert harmonizing the National Anthem with a bevy of pals including his new bandleader, Jon Batiste.
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The bit showed Colbert crooning everywhere from a bowling alley to a (loud) room full of welders to the National Mall to a baseball field... next to an umpire, who whipped off his mask, revealing Stewart's familiar face.
Later, it was revealed that Stewart is actually an executive producer on the show.
Huh? Jon Stewart is credited as an executive producer of Colbert's "Late Show." Great catch @MattHaze pic.twitter.com/X3NcA4ZZ5F— Alex Weprin (@alexweprin) September 9, 2015