Leigh Spann’s Post

Tonight is the very last Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Almost 20 years ago to the day, I got to interview Stephen in his hometown of Charleston. He had just made the transition to Comedy Central’s show The Colbert Report a few months before he came home to speak at an event his sister planned. I had been a fan of his for years on The Daily Show. I begged my news director to let me set up an interview. It would mean I had to work a 14 hour day…and I loved every second of it. When Stephen did The Colbert Report, he rarely broke character, but the minute I asked him anything specific to Charleston, his answers were genuine and sweet. Topical or political type questions received the famous Colbert persona. It was fun to watch him go in and out of character. At the end of the interview, I asked him to wish my then-boyfriend, now-husband a happy birthday. He looked straight into the camera and said “Happy Birthday David. You take good care of her.” The interview remains a highlight of my nearly 25-year career. Stephen likely doesn’t even remember, but he was so kind to sit with this young meteorologist and answer questions. I have a feeling we haven’t seen the last of Stephen Colbert, and I hope he enjoys the next chapter in his life & career.