Goodbye, Nation. Goodbye, Blowhard Self.

A sad day in the nation. Tonight is the very last episode of The Colbert Report. The Grim Reaper is the guest.

Mr. Colbert appeared in character not simply on his show, but in appearances elsewhere, including a memorable knockout performance at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in 2006. (He stirred Bush administration outrage with comments like: “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.”) He even remained at his blowhard best when he testified before Congress in 2010. (Before a Congressional subcommittee on immigration issues and farm labor, Mr. Colbert’s character said things like, “Maybe the easier answer is just to have scientists develop vegetables that pick themselves.”)

It will be interesting to see what Stephen Colbert is like when he is not inhabiting his character. We’ll know next September, when he officially takes David Letterman’s place.