Stephen Colbert was amazed by Monday’s solar eclipse like everyone else, but he wasn’t a fan of the news coverage. The late-night host used his opening monologue on Monday night to analyze the “silliest” media responses to the natural phenomenon.
Up first was CNN, which displayed the caption “Animals at Dallas Zoo react to total solar eclipse.”
“Thanks, CNN. That's some useful news,” Colbert joked. “I wish they’d get more animal perspectives on current events. I'd love to see ‘Breaking: Ringtail lemur reacts to RFK Jr.’s VP pick.”
The host of “The Late Show” then showed a clip from the segment, which focused on the network’s zoo correspondent analyzing various animal reactions. According to him, several guinea fowl were running around during the eclipse and a zebra chased a giraffe.
“That’s right. The eclipse caused zoo animals to do the unexpected: anything,” Colbert said. “Usually, they’re too down and just standing in one part of the enclosure where no one can see them.”
However, the “best part” was an ostrich that laid an egg during the event. “No offense, but laying an egg is one of the things that ostriches do. Not sure if that’s news. Call me when an ostrich steals an egg,” the CBS host said.
As comical as this segment may have been, Colbert criticized Fox News for having “the most foolish coverage of this event.” During one segment, the cable news channel said that immigrants were wearing dark clothing and using the eclipse to sneak over the U.S.-Mexico border.
“They won’t get another opportunity like that until night,” Colbert said, earning applause from his audience.
For his part, Colbert informed his audience that he enjoyed seeing the phenomenon. The host wore his eclipse glasses several times during his monologue, and Monday’s rehearsal for “The Late Show” was even moved up so the studio could enjoy the event together.
