newjerseynewsroom.com

BY BOB HOLT

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

On Wednesday and Thursday, Comedy Central suspended production of Montclair resident Stephen Colbert’s "The Colbert Report" program due to “unforeseen circumstances.”

Cancellation of the show’s tapings was announced at the last minute. According to the Hollywood Reporter, ticket holders were lined up at the Manhattan studio, and some had already been seated. Comedy Central sent an e-mail notifying ticket holders of the cancellation on Wednesday.

According to the New York Post, sources said Colbert shut down the show for his ailing 91-year-old mother Lorna. Colbert’s father James and two of his brothers were killed in the crash of an airliner in 1974 when Colbert was 10 years old, drawing the comic closer to his mother. He is the youngest of 11 children.

The Huffington Post reported that a person who has a business relationship with the show said that Colbert’s mother is seriously ill, and "The Colbert Report" will remain shut down until he is able to return.

Sources said they are a very private family, and didn’t find it surprising that Colbert did not want anyone to know what was happening.

Third Beat reported that Colbert had a perfect attendance record at his show before this week, and "The Daily Show" has only canceled tapings on two occasions in its history. One cancellation occurred when New Jersey native Jon Stewart’s second child was born, and another when a staff member died.

Colbert’s Twitter account has been quiet since Tuesday, according to the Washington Post, when he posted: "Happy Valentine's Day! Hope you're enjoying your flowers, or chocolates, or smug self-satisfaction at not celebrating Valentine's Day."

Lorna Colbert spoke about her son on South Carolina television in 2008.