Stephen Colbert pulled off an epic 'Daily Show' reunion that'll make fans go nuts

Stephen Colbert assembled an elite group of "Daily Show" alumni to walk down memory lane, and to weigh in on current events.

In addition to former host Jon Stewart, who's also an executive producer on CBS's "Late Show," Colbert brought on former correspondents of the Comedy Central show: Samantha Bee, John Oliver, Rob Corddry, and Ed Helms. (Colbert also got his start appearing on "The Daily Show.")

"This arrangement we have right now is exactly something we would have made fun of on 'The Daily Show,'" Colbert joked as the stars took their places on the "Late Show" sofa. Still, it was likely a joy for anyone who fondly remembers the old glory days of "The Daily Show."

Bee, who has moved on to host TBS's "Full Frontal," spoke of the many far-flung destinations she traveled to for "The Daily Show" and what it took to pull off the show's humorous sketches based on the news.

"I would spend days with the worst people you could possibly imagine," she said. "You'd have to engage in this big sketch you've done. You have to be really nice to them all day."

Many of the other former "Daily Show" stars have also moved on to fruitful careers. Oliver now hosts the HBO show "Last Week Tonight," while Helms and Corddry have shifted to successful film and TV careers. Helms starred in the "Hangover" film franchise, and Corddry has been on beloved shows like "Ballers" and "Childrens Hospital."

Colbert acknowledged Stewart's role in their careers.

"I wouldn't have this gig or any gig if it hadn't been for this man," he said.

The last time all five people appeared on TV together was during Stewart's "Daily Show" farewell in 2015, along with most of the correspondents from the show's history. 

Stewart described his more mature appearance compared to the former correspondents' younger looks with a reference to the 1995 movie "Mr. Holland's Opus": "This really does look like a group of students coming back to see Mr. Holland. It's the end, and I've done it all."

The crew also put together a "flashback" sketch going back to Colbert's last day on "The Daily Show" in 2005 before his own "Colbert Report" started, during the George W. Bush presidential administration, and got in some sharp jokes about how things have changed.