Stephen Colbert debuts on CBS’ ‘Late Show’

By David Bauder

AP Television Writer

NEW YORK

Stephen Colbert has officially taken over for the retired David Letterman as host of CBS’ “The Late Show” by singing the national anthem.

A filmed skit at the opening of Tuesday night’s show had him traveling across the country to sing “The Star Spangled Banner” accompanied by various folks – at a bowling alley, in a factory and at a youth baseball game. At the end, an “umpire” at the baseball game took off a mask to reveal himself as a bearded Jon Stewart, saying, “Play ball!”

His former Comedy Central colleague stepped down from “The Daily Show” last month, but Tuesday was about beginnings, and the audience at the Ed Sullivan Theater greeted Colbert with a standing ovation.

George Clooney and Jeb Bush were the guests for Colbert’s debut.

Colbert has retired the political talk-show host character he portrayed on “The Colbert Report” for the platform on television’s most-watched network. He’ll be in direct competition with the two Jimmys, ratings leader Jimmy Fallon on NBC’s “Tonight” show and ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel.

CBS has renovated the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York after Letterman and his team left last May to give Colbert a fresh start.

Colbert teased the show with occasional comic routines released online over the summer, and turned up unannounced to host a talk show on Michigan public-access television, with Eminem as guest.

He’s expected to give a spotlight on his first show to his new bandleader, Jon Batiste, and his group Stay Human.

Presidential contender Bush can expect to be teased by Colbert for sending out a fundraising letter auctioning off a seat in the audience for Tuesday’s first show, which CBS said had been done without the network’s knowledge. Typically, these shows provide guests with a handful of free tickets to distribute.

The guest list for Colbert’s first week of shows indicates he plans to get beyond the typical show-biz patter of many talk shows. Vice President Joe Biden will visit Thursday, and the CEOs of Tesla Motors and Uber also will make appearances. Comic Amy Schumer, actress Scarlett Johansson and author Stephen King also are on the schedule.