Stephen Colbert: A look back at nine years of biting satire

After nine years of biting political satire, Stephen Colbert is headed to CBS, taking over David Letterman's spot next year. The final "Colbert Report" airs Thursday night on Comedy Central. Some critics said the character Colbert created in 2005 wouldn't sustain a season, but he certainly proved them wrong, just wrapping his ninth season, reports CBS News correspondent Vladimir Duthiers.

"So what the critics said when it started is finally true. It won't last more than a couple of weeks. Fortunately, there's still time to praise me," Colbert said on a recent episode.

Colbert, who's known for rubbing shoulders with politicians, tried to help President Bill Clinton join Twitter.

"William Jefferson Clinton was taken, but 'prezbillyjeff" was available," he said.

He shared the anchor desk with President Obama.

"You've taken plenty of shots at my job; I decided I'm going to go ahead and take a shot at yours," Mr. Obama said on "The Colbert Report."

He even shaved his head in solidarity with American troops serving overseas.

Now after nine years and six Emmy awards, Stephen Colbert is leaving his post as Comedy Central's conservative satirist.

"Stephen Colbert inhales oxygen and exhales funny. It's pretty much that simple," said Larry Wilmore, a fellow "Daily Show" alum who will be taking over Colbert's Comedy Central time slot and studio in January.

"There's so much to love about his show. First of all, the fact that he took on that whole persona of who his fake idol was, the Bill O'Reilly, you know, or 'Papa Bear,' as he said, and just turning that whole thing on its head," Wilmore said.

Colbert talked about the advantages of creating the pundit persona on "Charlie Rose."

"I get to hide behind a character face, and so I get away with a lot," he said.

At times, Colbert took his character on tour, like to the White House Correspondents Dinner in 2006.

"I believe the government that governs best is the government that governs least. And by these standards, we have set up a fabulous government in Iraq," Colbert said.

"It was pretty brave for him to do that," Wilmore said. "And I think that was really the genesis of people falling in love with Stephen, 'cause they saw he was so brave just to do that style of humor."

While Colbert kept both parties in Washington on their heels, politicians were often in on the joke. He has fenced with Rep. Marcia Fudge, skateboarded with Rep. Jackie Speier and leg wrestled with Rep. Jason Chaffetz.

"If you are doing an interview with Stephen Colbert you just have to be yourself and know that you are going to be on the receiving end of a lot of laughter," Chaffetz said.

The majority of Colbert's audience is under 40 years old, a third of them citing shows like Colbert's as their primary source for political news.

"The show itself has just been a breath of fresh air," fan Frank Fisher said.

"No matter what you throw at him, it just comes out funny," Wilmore said. "I think they'll be pleasantly surprised when they see his fuller personality on display."

Stephen Colbert may be leaving his studio after Thursday night, but he won't be leaving the neighborhood; the Ed Sullivan Theater is just a few blocks away.