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Stephen Colbert signs off "Colbert Report" with celebrity-filled sing-along

A fixture of Comedy Central, comedian Stephen Colbert signed off for the final time Thursday night, ending a nine-year run with a final burst of "truthiness."

"If this is your first time tuning into the 'Colbert Report,' I have some terrible news. This, this in fact is your last time tuning into the 'Colbert Report,'" Colbert said.

The inspiration behind "The Colbert Report" character 02:09

After more than 1,400 episodes, six Emmy Awards and wide critical acclaim, Colbert stayed true to his form until the very end, reports CBS News correspondent Vladimir Duthiers.

"Nation, I know that this is an emotional night for a lot of you, so I want to start the show tonight with a little something more upbeat -- Syria," he said.

The night featured a grand musical number performed by Colbert, along with a staggering number of past guests, friends and well-wishers, including CBS News' own Charlie Rose and former President Bill Clinton.

Stephen Colbert recounts his most painful experience 03:05

Colbert's Comedy Central run began in 1997, when as a correspondent at the "Daily Show," he created the fictional character he played so well.

But the 50-year-old Colbert will shed that character when he takes over the "Late Show" from David Letterman, who plans to step down in May of next year.

Colbert's final show may have lacked the emotional goodbye many expected, but it featured plenty of the piercing sarcasm that his fans have grown to love.

"And if all we achieved over the last nine years was to come into your home each night and help make a difficult day a little better, man, what a waste," Colbert said.

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