Stephen Colbert Suspends Show to Be With Ailing Mother

Stephen Colbert has taken an unexpected break from “The Colbert Report” in order to be by his ailing mother’s side. The show halted production earlier this week due to “unforeseen circumstances” but a source close to the family said that Lorna Colbert, Stephen’s mother, is sick and that her children have come to her aide.

The source told the NY Post:

“They are a very private family. It’s not surprising that he did not want anyone to know what was going on.”

The nature of Lorna Colbert’s illness is unclear at this time. Comedy Central said that it would air reruns until further notice and expects Stephen to return to the show “soon.”

Colbert, the youngest of 11 children, has an especially close relationship with his mother. Colbert’s father and his two oldest brothers were killed in a plane crash in 1974 when Colbert was 10. The tragedy created a tight bound between the children and their mother, Lorna, who is now 91-years-old.