News of the horrific attacks in Paris that have left at least 127 dead did not break until Stephen Colbert was midway through his taping of Friday night’s The Late Show. According to audience members on Twitter, he broke the news to his shocked crowd during a commercial break in the show.
The host waited until the end of the CBS broadcast to address the issue on everyone’s minds tonight.
“Folks, we end tonight’s show with a heavy heart because we taped all of tonight’s show, and then we found out about the horrific attacks in Paris today,” Colbert said. “I know not much is known right now. We do know there have been many deaths and the crisis is still ongoing.”
“President Hollande declared a state of emergency and President Obama has promised that the United States will do whatever it takes to bring those terrorists to justice,” he continued. “We add our thoughts and prayers to everyone in Paris.”
“And now, we’ll see you on Monday,” Colbert said, before taking a deep breath and long pause during which it appeared he was holding back tears. “Goodnight.”
Awkwardly, CBS then cut directly to a rerun of James Corden’s Late Late Show that originally aired immediately after the Oregon community college shooting and featured a similarly heartfelt statement up top.
