Stephen Colbert kicked off his live “Late Show” following Super Bowl 50 with a big surprise guest: President Obama.
Obama appeared on CBS’ post-Super Bowl “Late Show” to play catch with the host even though Colbert was in New York’s Ed Sullivan Theater and Obama was in Washington D.C.
“You in the back, the tall guy with the really big ears,” Colbert said before throwing the football to Obama at the White House.
“Nice arm, Stephen,” Obama responded.
“The Late Show” Super Bowl show included soldiers stationed overseas, astronaut Scott Kelly beamed from space, Tina Fey, Will Ferrell, Chewbacca from “Star Wars,” and Fox News’ host Megyn Kelly.
Obama’s portion was taped last week, a point that Colbert, who boasted about the live nature of the show, objected to.
“Sir, with all due respect I’ve made a really big deal about the fact this is a live show tonight,” he said. “I find it hard to believe that you were pre-taped.”
“All right I’m going to prove it to you,” Obama said, and brought Colbert into the shot.
Obama congratulated the Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos leaving the host to ask how the president knew who won.
“Stephen, I’m the president,” Obama said. “It turns out that all the Super Bowl winners for the next 50 years are written on the back of the Constitution.”
Obama attempted to pass the ball back to Colbert in New York, but instead threw it at the First Lady Michelle Obama.
“Excuse me, who is throwing a football in the White House?,” the first lady demanded.
The president pointed at Colbert and slowly backed out of the shot.
Later in the broadcast, Colbert welcomed Kelly and immediately asked the cable news host why Fox News was feuding with Donald Trump.
“Donald Trump has been on Fox News 140 times in the last year, so we’re not feuding with him,” Kelly answered. “But he does have a beef with me.”
Kelly said she’s been avoiding Fifth Avenue since Trump declared that he could shoot someone on the avenue and his followers wouldn’t desert him.
Colbert asked Kelly, who will be moderating Fox’s GOP debate in March, if she has a first question for Trump.
“I do, but I’m not going to tell you,” Kelly said. She then jokingly added that she would start with “apology accepted.”
Colbert’s “Late Show” is the first late night series to ever be aired in the post Super Bowl scheduled sweet spot.
Not only does the broadcast get a large audience overflowing from the most watched TV event of the year, but also allows a new viewership to try out Colbert’s late night offerings.
