'Colbert Report' suspended due to family emergency

Late-night comedian Stephen Colbert went off the air Wednesday as his spoof news show was temporarily suspended.

Fans with tickets to Wednesday's taping received an email from the show saying they would have to rebook their tickets. Comedy Central spokesman Steve Albani told The New York Times in an email that, "Due to unforeseen circumstances, the show will air repeat episodes on Wednesday, February 15 and Thursday, February 16."

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the two episodes were cancelled due to a family emergency for Colbert. Executives are expecting the show to resume as soon as next week.

Many in the audience were either lined up outside or taking their seats as the email went out, says The Hollywood Reporter, causing disappointed fans to take to Twitter. The only time Colbert has gone off the air was during the 2008 elections when he commented on then-presidential candidate John McCain's decision to suspend his campaign to vote on the financial crisis in Washington.

Colbert's show went black for a few moments before returning to the air.

Wednesday's show was originally slotted to have actress Claire Danes as a guest. There has been no word on if or when Danes will be rescheduled. Author Susan Cain tweeted that her interview, originally scheduled for Thursday, has been rescheduled in March.

The Third Beat points out that while this is unusual for Colbert, its not unprecedented in the comedy news business. His mentor and comedic ally Jon Stewart suspended The Daily Show twice while in charge: for the death of a staff member and for the birth of his second child.