No new Colbert episodes in March? Here’s why The Late Show is off this week and maybe next

If you were hoping for fresh monologues and sharp political satire from Stephen Colbert this week, you’ll have to settle for reruns instead. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is on a break, with CBS airing repeats from March 17-21. As for why the show is off? There’s a good chance sports fans already know the answer.

For those who don’t follow college basketball, this week marks the beginning of March Madness, the NCAA men’s basketball tournament that takes over TV schedules every spring. CBS, which airs many of the games, hasn’t officially said this is the reason The Late Show is off, but my guess is that it’s a perfect chance to give the entertainment team some longer time off rather than a broken week.

So to the reruns. They’ve been airing at the usual 11:35 p.m. ET/PT, although will be at 12:35 a.m. for Thursday and Friday. Sports, eh?!

Which guests are on the Late Show reruns?

Here’s what was scheduled for this week:

• Monday, March 17 – George Clooney, Alan Ritchson (originally aired Feb. 18, 2025)
• Tuesday, March 18 – John Oliver, performance by The War and Treaty (Feb. 17, 2025)
• Wednesday, March 19 – Drew Barrymore (Colbert Questionert), Bong Joon Ho (Feb. 25, 2025)
• Thursday, March 20 – Jake Tapper, performance by Paris Paloma (March 5, 2025)
• Friday, March 21 – Sterling K. Brown, Reid Hoffman (March 6, 2025)

Will Colbert be off next week too?

That’s still up in the air. CBS has more tournament coverage set for March 28-29, which could impact late-night scheduling again.

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