On Wednesday’s episode, Stephen Colbert spoke to Severance creator Ben Stiller and made it clear that he is a great admirer of the programme. But what would happen if Colbert actually showed up at Lumon Industries and went through with the severance process? On Thursday, The Late Show satirised the popular Apple TV+ drama with a skit featuring Colbert as Steve C., a new employee at Lumon Industries. Short snippets of Colbert’s innie are presented in what is being called “deleted scenes” from the broadcast that originally featured him.
Due to the widespread assumption that, because of his innie’s name, Steve C. is actually Steve Carell in the real world, Steve C. actively works to transform Lumon into Dunder Mifflin. Irving, played by John Turturro, is especially irritated by him since Steve C. calls him “the Dwight Schrute of Lumon,” a nickname that does not amuse him in the least. The main focus of his shenanigans is Irving, who he constantly distracts from his job with jokes and about whom he conducts a behind-the-back interview in The Office manner.
To top it all off, he destroys Irving’s music dancing experience by playing “All-Star” by Smash Mouth (though at least Adam Scott seemed to enjoy it). The fact that Steve C is a thief is the other source of tension between him and his coworkers at Lumon. When Milchick (Tramell Tillman) and the board discover that he has a habit of stealing vast quantities of office supplies—including pens, paperclips, and Irving’s lamp—they decide to make him the first-ever unsevered employee. Severance’s transition into a standard office comedy is completed by a Lumon-themed The Office opening when Steve C. leaves Lumon after being fired.
Season 2 of Severance is in the works, and it’s likely that Colbert’s scenes won’t be “removed” this time. When recently queried about their ideal cast members for the programme, the current cast and crew reached for the stars. Christopher Guest, Barbra Streisand, and former President Barack Obama were all named as people they hoped would make appearances on or become regulars on Lumon. Perhaps they’d try to have Colbert on for an episode, however Steve C. would need to clean up his act if he wants to stick around at Lumon.
Patricia Arquette, Britt Lower, Zach Cherry, Dichen Lachman, Jen Tullock, Michael Chernus, and Christopher Walken also feature in Severance alongside Scott, Turturro, and Tillman. The smash success created by Dan Erickson is competing for 14 Emmys this year, including nods for stars Ben Stiller, Erick Erickson, Adam Scott, Patricia Arquette, John Turturro, and Christopher Walken. On Apple TV+, you can watch Severance right now.