Julia Louis-Dreyfus recently brought back her iconic character Selina Meyer from the acclaimed series Veep, as a tribute to Stephen Colbert on The Late Show. This special appearance coincided with the promotion of her new film, The Sheep Detectives.
Selina Meyer Roasts Stephen Colbert
During her segment, Louis-Dreyfus surprised Colbert with a series of humorous and pointed lines crafted by Veep’s writers. She expressed her admiration for him, saying, “People have been coming on this show recently to sing your praises and give you gifts. Since I know you’re a huge fan of Veep, I got some of the Veep writers together to write a Veep-style tribute to you.”
Tribute Highlights
- Opening line: “I’ve been on this show multiple times and always thought you were Rachel Maddow. Are you not?”
- Comment on Colbert’s name: “So you’re Irish but decided to pronounce your name to sound French?”
- Humorous jab: “Your cancellation gave Donald Trump so much pleasure; I always think of you as the Stormy Daniels of late night.”
- Consolation remark: “I don’t want you to worry. The only reason everyone rallied around Jimmy Kimmel is because he’s more popular.”
Colbert also sought advice from Louis-Dreyfus on concluding a long-running show. Her tongue-in-cheek recommendation was simple: “Do you drink? You’ll be fine.” The two shared fond remembrances of their journey together, culminating in a moment where they kissed on camera.
The End of an Era for The Late Show
The Late Show, which has been a staple of late-night television, is set to conclude on May 21. Colbert has hosted the show for 11 years since taking over in 2015 from David Letterman. During its run, the show garnered significant viewership and accolades, including an Emmy and a Peabody Award.
Last July, CBS made the decision to cancel the show, citing “purely financial reasons.” They emphasized that the cancellation was not related to the show’s performance or content. Speculation arose that the decision might be linked to CBS’s broader corporate activities, including ongoing merger negotiations with Skydance, led by David Ellison.
CBS and Political Allegations
Colbert’s sharp critiques of the Trump administration led to claims that the cancellation served to appease the administration during the merger approval process. This controversy adds a layer of complexity to the show’s termination.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus’s portrayal of Selina Meyer in Veep, which aired for seven seasons and ended in 2019, remains an influential part of her career. Her character, initially the vice president, ambitiously aspired to the presidency, mirroring real-world political dynamics.
