Steven Colbert and Michael Stipe on The Late Show | screen shot from video
Michael Stipe and Stephen Colbert bid farewell to 2016 with “It’s The End of the Year As We Know It”
In another somewhat cathartic recap of a year that felt downright apocalyptic at times, R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe joined Stephen Colbert on The Late Show last night to perform a reworking of “It’s the End of the World As We Know It.” The musician was on the show to talk about his new book project and the 25th anniversary of R.E.M.’s Out of Time.
As Colbert blazes through the key moments of the year from Zika virus and Harambe to a particular political speech controversy and never-ending music icon deaths, Stipe stands motionless behind the mic with a look of disbelief on his face, refusing to sing along when it comes to the “I feel fine” line. The duo managed to find a handful of positive things about 2016 to mention though, like the joy of Pokemon Go and Ken Bone’s red sweater.
Watch the clip below and listen to their conversation about Stipe’s book here.