Stephen Colbert gives heartfelt and hilarious goodbye in final "The Word"

"Same to you, pal"

Published December 19, 2014 2:00PM (EST)

  (Comedy Central)
(Comedy Central)

Thursday night marked the end of an era -- a "Colbert-a," as Comedy Central put it. After nine seasons, "The Colbert Report" aired its final episode.

The character Stephen Colbert came full circle with one final hilarious and heartfelt segment of "The Word."

"Folks if this if your first time tuning into 'The Colbert Report,' I have some terrible news," Colbert began. "This in fact is your last time tuning in to 'The Colbert Report,' until ten years from now when they reboot it directed by J.J. Abrams."

Colbert then went on to dictate his legacy: "I’m not here to brag about having changed the world. I did something much harder than change the world. Folks, I samed the world."

And Colbert said as long as he had the Colbert Nation by his side, he'd do it again just the same. Watch below:


By Sarah Gray

Sarah Gray is an assistant editor at Salon, focusing on innovation. Follow @sarahhhgray or email sgray@salon.com.

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Colbert Countdown Comedy Politics Stephen Colbert The Colbert Report The Word Video