- Stephen Colbert guest-starred as a murder victim in the Season 3 premiere of the CBS show Elsbeth.
- In a bizarre coincidence, the episode—featuring Colbert as a late-night host whose show is canceled—was written before the real-life cancellation of his own program, The Late Show.
- The episode reunited Colbert with his long-time friend and Second City collaborator Amy Sedaris, whose character is revealed to be his on-screen murderer.
- For the first time in the series, the titular character, Elsbeth Tascioni, meets the victim before he is killed.
A Script That Foretold the Future?
In a case of life imitating art in the most startling way, Stephen Colbert’s guest appearance on the Season 3 premiere of Elsbeth left both the cast and audiences stunned. The late-night icon played Scotty Bristol, the host of the fictional talk show Way Late, who becomes the episode’s murder victim. The shocking twist? The script was penned long before CBS announced the real-world cancellation of The Late Show.
The eerie timing wasn’t lost on Colbert. Series star Carrie Preston told The Daily Beast that the first thing he said to her on set was, “Wow, everybody’s gonna think that the Elsbeth writers have the biggest balls in Hollywood.”
Showrunner Jonathan Tolins had written the episode before the news broke and was prepared to recast the role, assuming Colbert would be unavailable. However, Preston noted Colbert’s enthusiasm, stating, “He came on and said, ‘No, I was absolutely excited to do it.’ He couldn’t wait, and he was totally prepared.”
A Comedic Reunion with a Dark Twist
Adding another layer to the story was the reunion of comedy legends. Colbert’s on-screen murderer, his executive producer Laurel, was played by his friend of over 30 years, Amy Sedaris. Andy Richter also appeared as Scotty’s sidekick, Mickey. The trio’s shared history in the improv scene brought a potent dynamic to the storyline, where Laurel murders her abusive boss by turning a paper shredder into a weapon.
The deep friendship between Colbert and Sedaris, which dates back to their time at Second City, adds a rich subtext to their characters’ deadly dynamic.
Breaking New Ground for ‘Elsbeth’
The episode marked a significant departure from the show’s established formula. “Elsbeth never meets the victim,” explained showrunner Jonathan Tolins. “We have never had a situation where Elsbeth crossed paths with the victim, because it would be pretty coincidental to have her meet the person before they die.” This premiere broke that rule, allowing Carrie Preston’s quirky detective to interact with Colbert’s character just hours before his demise.
Sondheim and a Splash of Pink
The episode was also rich with cultural references, particularly to Stephen Sondheim’s musical Merrily We Roll Along, which mirrors the story’s themes of fractured friendships among a trio of creatives. In a moment of casting kismet, Tony-winner Lindsay Mendez, who starred in the recent Broadway revival of Merrily, also appears in the episode.
The premiere re-established Elsbeth as a fan-favorite comfort show, blending its signature charm with a meta-narrative that was as unsettling as it was brilliant. From its prescient script to a custom-made pink tartan suit for its lead, the show proved it’s not afraid to take chances.
Image Referance: https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/the-wild-story-behind-stephen-colberts-guest-spot-on-elsbeth/