Colbert Returns With Message to Mom

(Image source: Colbert Nation )   BY BLAKE HANSON The Colbert Report is back. Stephen Colbert returned Monday night after abruptly cancelling two shows last week. That started the rumor mill churning. And just when it seemed he wasn’t going to directly address his absence — Colbert had a brief serious moment... “Oh, one more thing, evidently having 11 children makes you tough as nails...confidential to a lovely lady.” Many say Colbert was hinting at what many media outlets guessed was reason for his absence: his mother. 91-year-old Lorna was reportedly ill. On CNN, A.J. Hammer says last night’s hint was probably the only info we’ll get... “As private as he is I’m actually thinking this might be his only public statement about what happened.” A writer for E Online offers well wishes to Colbert’s mother... “...we hope [Colbert’s hint] means that the funnyman’s mother, who was rumored to be ill and who did indeed have 11 kids … is on the mend.” Some of the other rumors to explain Colbert’s absence: The FCC shut him down — he angered the pope — or he was having plastic surgery. Entertainment Weekly’s Ken Tucker echoed what many of Colbert’s fans thought, writing... “It was very good to have him back. Sometimes I think he is at the very least the hub around which the Comedy Republic turns.” Colbert tweeted Friday saying “My family and I would like to thank everyone who has offered their thoughts and prayers. We are grateful and touched by your concern.”