Stephen Colbert seems to have really settled into his role as host of "The Late Show" at CBS. He has been at the top of the late night ratings for a solid 10 weeks and now he's publishing his third book, this one based on a regular segment from his latest show. "Midnight Confessions" will hit book shelves later this year.
Book based on frenzied segment behind confession screen
Premiering early on in Colbert's run as host of "The Late Show," his Midnight Confessions segment is a light spoof of the ritual confessions within Catholicism. Colbert, a lifelong Catholic and former Sunday School teacher, is often venerated by Catholic media organizations for being open about his religion in his career and comedy, was named "top choice" to become the next pope by next-gen media group Busted Halo in 2013.
During the segment, Colbert asks his in-studio audience for forgiveness behind a makeshift confession screen, similar to those found in church confession booths. The purported "sins" mentioned by the comedian usually have nothing to do with the bible or religion and are generally minor offenses such as feeding a dog pizza, but occasionally veer into a slightly naughty realm, once telling an audience, “I tell people I don’t believe in casual sex, but the truth is I sometimes don’t wear a tie.” Since its debut, fans have taken to tweeting the host their own confessions, in hopes of hearing them on the show.
Publisher Simon & Schuster has confirmed that "Midnight Confessions" will include some fan submissions in print.
@colbertlateshow Sometimes I put my pants on both legs at the same time. It makes me feel superior. #LateShowConfessions
— Michael Cosgrove (@cozmotion) March 29, 2017
When using automatic doors & toilet flushers I wave my hand in ways that indicate I have Jedi powers.@colbertlateshow#LateShowConfessions
— Tim Prescott (@TDPrescott) April 6, 2017
I've never dropped the mic in a cool way. I'm just really klutzy. #LateShowConfessions
— Russell (@that_russell) March 22, 2017
Third book based on Colbert-hosted show, first with 'Late Show'
While "Midnight Confessions" will be Colbert's first book writing in conjunction with his CBS late night show, he had previously published a pair of best-selling books as his same-named, fictional character for Comedy Central.
As the host of "The Colbert Report," he released "I Am America (and So Can You!)" and "America Again (Rebecoming the Greatness We Never Were)" with Grand Central Publishing. Colbert also contributed to Jon Stewart's 2004 tome "America (The Book): A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction."
As a television writer, Colbert has won a number of Emmy Awards for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series, as a part of both "The Daily Show" and "The Colbert Report" writing teams.
He has also received a pair of Peabody Awards which "recognizes distinguished and meritorious public service" by American media. In 2006, a word he created for "The Colbert Report" -- "truthiness" -- was named the American Dialect Society's Word of the Year.
"Midnight Confessions" will be available on September 5th in both print and audio book.
