Stephen Colbert cancels two shows for a 'family emergency'

Stephen Colbert's political satire show went on a sudden and mysterious hiatus Wednesday night because of "unforeseen circumstances" as reports emerged that the comedian had to attend to a family emergency.

Audience members for Wednesday night's show were sent a last-minute email notifying them that the show was canceled. The email did not offer an explanation.

On Thursday, Comedy Central said the show wouldn't return until at least next week.

"Due to unforeseen circumstances, the show will air repeat episodes on Wednesday, Feb. 15, and Thursday, Feb. 16," Steve Albani, a spokesman for the station, said in an email. He declined to say when taping would resume or comment on reports that Colbert told his staff on Wednesday that he had an unspecified family emergency.

The Wall Street Journal first reported that a personal matter had led Colbert to cancel the tapings, citing anonymous sources.

The Huffington Post, a site Colbert often vilifies on his show, reported that his 91-year-old mother, Lorna, is “seriously ill,” citing an anonymous source with a “business relationship” to the show.