Short of actually running for public office, Stephen Colbert he is locked and loaded with an impression of former U.S. Senator Alfonse D’Amato—if it will help him land him on Saturday Night Live after CBS’ The Late Show ends on May 21.
During his 24-minute appearance on Tuesday’s Late Night with Seth Meyers, Colbert—after delivering an epic spit-take upon “learning” from Meyers that The Late Show is cancelled—interrupted their banter to ask, “Um, is Lorne here? Lorne Michaels…?”
Michaels of course is an EP on Late Night, but more specific to Colbert’s agenda, SNL‘s creator/longtime showrunner.
“Would you tell him I’m available in June…?” joked Colbert to Meyers. “I don’t know if he’s still hiring [but] I need a show, man. I’m fine for cash, it’s just that [wife] Evie will want me out of the house.”
Colbert went on to recall that he first auditioned for SNL in the late 1990s, with an Al D’Amato impression. (Colbert would eventually guest-write for SNL in Season 22, and voice half of the animated “Ambiguously Gay Duo.”)
Quipped Meyers, “I would argue that in 1998, that was not an impression they needed.”
Exploring Colbert’s post-Late Show plans, Meyers ran by his esteemed guest several rumors that have been making rounds—including a $13.5 million deal with Netflix (“Not enough money,” Colbert sniffed), and the idea of running for public office.
“I mean, that’s something I have discussed with my faith leader and my family,” Colbert said in a very politician-like manner. “And if there is some way for me to serve the American people in some way, that could possibly be greater than a late-night television show,” he quipped. “I get [people’s desire for] it.”
Meyers noted that Colbert is rumored to be teaming up for a TV project with Rachel Maddow, Tom Hanks, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, or Simon Cowell. Colbert joked, why not all of the above, The A Team-style? “We’re on the run, wrongfully accused!”
Meyers then chimed in with his own pitch: “I think you should do Oh Mary!,” the hit Broadway comedy that earned Cole Escola a Tony Award as President Lincoln’s wife. Titus Burgess and John Cameron Mitchell are among those who have since succeeded Escola in the lead role. “People think Seth wants him to play Lincoln; no, I want you to play Mary,” Meyers maintained.
“That would be a ton of fun,” Colbert nodded. “I would have a great time.”
Watch this half of the Colbert/Meyers sit-down above, and watch Meyers’ heartfelt words for his longtime peer below:
'Late Night' host Seth Meyers shared some heartfelt words with longtime peer Stephen Colbert after announcing the May 21 'Late Show' series finale date. pic.twitter.com/eCiASZ9rRm
— LateNighter (@latenightercom) January 28, 2026
again, R’s love to rag on Hollywood and the entertainment industry in general, but which party is the one that loves to run, and often win with, celebs?
Colbert should seriously consider it….if the country is going to have a comedian as President might as well be a pro