A lost Colbert Report gem returns to TV as Stephen Colbert honors the legendary Diane Keaton.

In an emotional and unexpectedly hilarious segment on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Monday night, the late-night host paid tribute to Oscar-winning actress Diane Keaton — not with a solemn monologue or a highlight reel, but with something far more fitting: chaotic brilliance.

Calling it “one of my favorite interviews I ever had the privilege of doing,” Colbert surprised his audience by re-airing Keaton’s now-legendary 2012 appearance on The Colbert Report — a moment long buried due to archival decisions made by Paramount but never forgotten by those who saw it live.

The segment was messy, unpredictable, and completely unforgettable — much like Diane Keaton herself.

“We Lost One of the Greats”

Colbert opened the tribute with the kind of warmth and wit that defined his comedic partnership with Keaton during her 2012 appearance.

“This weekend, America lost one of our most talented, original, and effortlessly funny actors, Diane Keaton,” he said, his tone turning momentarily somber. “A lifelong fan, I loved Diane Keaton ever since my mother made me walk out of Annie Hall when I was 11.”

The comment, part joke and part personal anecdote, drew knowing laughs — the kind that recognized both Colbert’s longstanding reverence for Keaton and the peculiar charm that made her a unique presence in American cinema.

Rather than deliver a straightforward tribute or invite a panel of celebrities to reflect, Colbert let Keaton’s own words — and signature eccentricity — do the talking.

A Comedy Collision: The Colbert Report Meets Diane Keaton

To understand the significance of the clip, you have to travel back more than a decade — to April 30, 2012, when Diane Keaton was promoting her memoir Then Again and Colbert was still inhabiting his satirical “blowhard conservative” persona on The Colbert Report.

What was supposed to be a fairly straightforward plug for Keaton’s book quickly devolved (or evolved?) into one of the most delightfully off-the-rails interviews in cable news history.

From the moment Keaton sat down, she appeared gleefully uninterested in playing along with Colbert’s script. When he tried to steer the conversation toward his past appearances at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Keaton interrupted with:

“I don’t want to see your buck naked ass.”

Minutes later, as Colbert attempted to bring her back to the topic of her mother’s diaries — the emotional backbone of Then Again — Keaton abruptly asked:

“Are we going to talk about me now?”

Before long, she was calling Colbert “a sexual pervert,” threatening to “bring you up on charges,” and laughing at his increasingly desperate attempts to regain control of the interview.

And Colbert? He was loving every second of it.

The Emotional Core Beneath the Comedy

As wild as the interview was — and it truly was comedy gold — there was also an emotional heartbeat running through it.

At one point, amid the wisecracks and teasing, Colbert asked Keaton a sincere question about her mother’s diaries and how reading them had changed her understanding of their relationship.

“Did that humanize your mother for you?” Colbert asked. “Because our parents are bigger than life. I don’t approve of that.”

It was a moment of unexpected vulnerability in an otherwise madcap segment — a fleeting but memorable glimpse into what made The Colbert Report such a special platform: its ability to slip between satire and sincerity without missing a beat.

Lost to the Internet… Until Now

As Colbert noted on Monday night, The Colbert Report’s full archive was removed from streaming and official channels last year when Paramount began reorganizing its online footprint. The decision was widely criticized by fans and media historians, as it wiped out more than a decade’s worth of influential political satire, including interviews with icons across entertainment, journalism, and politics.

“Because, for reasons that are still unclear to me, the corporation has taken down all of my old show,” Colbert said with a hint of frustration, “in honor of Ms. Keaton, I thought I’d share it with you tonight.”

The re-airing gave new viewers a chance to witness the kind of improvisational magic that once defined late-night television — and reminded longtime fans just how irreplaceable Keaton was as a guest.

A Star Who Defied Conventions

Diane Keaton’s passing on October 11 at age 79 left a deep void in the entertainment world. Known for her roles in Annie Hall, The Godfather, Something’s Gotta Give, and First Wives Club, she was a rare talent who managed to balance elegance and eccentricity — often within the same breath.

Her fashion choices — from oversized suits to wide-brimmed hats — became iconic. Her laugh was unmistakable. And her ability to walk into a room and completely disarm everyone with an oddball aside or dry one-liner was unmatched.

That 2012 interview with Colbert didn’t just showcase her humor — it embodied her spirit: irreverent, unpredictable, and delightfully unfiltered.

Colbert’s Final Thanks

As the segment ended, Colbert looked directly into the camera and offered a final, simple message:

“Thank you, Ms. Keaton.”

It was a quiet moment — one filled not with applause or laughter, but genuine gratitude. For a woman who had given the world so much joy through her performances, it was a fitting send-off: not overly polished, not overly sentimental — just honest.

Why This Matters Now

In the ever-evolving landscape of late-night comedy — where shows are getting canceled, hosts are under pressure, and nostalgia often feels safer than satire — moments like this stand out.

They remind us of when late-night TV was allowed to breathe. When conversations could be messy. When interviews could veer wildly off-script — and that was the whole point.

Diane Keaton wasn’t just another guest; she was an agent of glorious chaos. She didn’t play by the rules, and because of that, she helped break them in all the best ways.

Colbert’s decision to share this moment again — in defiance of corporate archiving decisions, no less — was more than a tribute. It was an act of preservation.

A Moment Worth Remembering

Whether you were watching The Colbert Report back in 2012 or seeing the clip for the first time this week, one thing is certain: that Keaton interview isn’t just funny. It’s electric. And more importantly, it’s authentic.

In a time when so many public appearances are curated to the point of sterility, Keaton offered something different — herself. Fully, unapologetically, hilariously herself.

And now, thanks to Colbert, one of her best moments lives on.