Last night was a long time coming, but that made it all the more welcomed stateside - particularly as Stephen Cobert kicked his first Late show off with a stirring rendition of The Star Spangled Banner, featuring a face you're sure to recognise.
Following this, he treated the audience to the more traditional opening monologue, quite literally kicking things off amidst a flurry of twirls, bows, and high kicks. Colbert points out that the show is recorded 6 hours in advance, so he gave a wave to his future self who's bound to be watching (predecessor David Letterman was also no doubt watching, but he didn't get a mention) before saying how great it is that he had 9 months to make just one hour of TV.
He then introduces his guests - George Clooney "who doesn't even have a movie to promote", Jeb Bush, and his house band.
As for Jimmy Fallon, well, he had this to say regarding this time slot opponent: "I want to say congratulations to our pal Stephen Colbert and his buddies over at the Late Show. Stephen Colbert starts tonight. Unfortunately it’s on a different network at the same time that my show’s on so I can’t watch, but I wish him all the luck in the world. Congratulations to everybody over there."
Always the gentleman.
