Stephen Colbert's New Role: From Late-Night Host to Crime Comedy Star

Stephen Colbert, known for his sharp wit and humor on "The Late Show, " is stepping into a new role. He's joining the cast of "Elsbeth, " a crime comedy series on CBS. This isn't just any guest spot; Colbert will play the host of a fictional late-night show within the series. The episode was filmed recently, but the idea has been in the works for a while. The connection between Colbert and "Elsbeth" started when Wendell Pierce, a star of the show, appeared on "The Late Show. " Colbert joked about wanting to play a corpse on a CBS crime procedural. Pierce took it as a challenge and offered to make it happen. This led to Colbert's role in "Elsbeth, " which was picked up for a third season around the same time. "Elsbeth" is a unique blend of crime and comedy, created by the Kings, Robert and Michelle. It stars Carrie Preston and Wendell Pierce, along with a list of notable guest stars. The show's mix of mystery and humor has made it a standout on CBS. Meanwhile, "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" is set to end after the next TV season. CBS says it's a financial decision, but some speculate it's related to the network's merger with Skydance and the political climate. Regardless, Colbert's move to "Elsbeth" shows he's not done surprising audiences.