Stephen Colbert's Late Show goes purple for Prince

The Late Show studio turns purple for Prince — (Image credit: Late Show)

Stephen Colbert has been a fan of Prince, who died right before Thursday's Late Show taping, since he was in high school, but Colbert's bandleader, Jon Batiste, actually got to work with Prince. "He had a huge aura," Batiste said, wearing a purple jacket. "His energy and presence in a room just kind of filled everybody's hearts." Colbert paid his respects to Prince, saying, "besides being a beautiful artist, not many people are influential enough to be known by one name, let alone by one color," he said. "But he was, so in a small gesture of respect tonight, we'd like to change the set in his honor." It's no rainbow over Paisley Park, or heartfelt sing-along, but it's a nice gesture nonetheless. Watch below. Peter Weber

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.