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The Conversation USA

5 reasons Stephen Colbert is one of the most important satirists in American history

  • Written by Sophia A. McClennen, Professor of International Affairs and Comparative Literature, Penn State
imageStephen Colbert tapes a segment for 'The Late Show' at Quicken Loans Arena ahead of the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland.Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images

Stephen Colbert’s final episode as host of “The Late Show” on May 21, 2026, won’t mark the end of his career.

But as a scholar of political satire, I...

Read more: 5 reasons Stephen Colbert is one of the most important satirists in American history

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