It's Why We Love Him -- Stephen Colbert Returns to 'The Colbert Report' and Pays Tribute to His Mom

I'm not sure if there's an adage about comedians also having big hearts, but if there isn't one already, perhaps Stephen Colbert can inspire someone to write it. Late last week, "The Colbert Report," the Comedy Central faux-news commentary show that Colbert hosts four nights a week went unexpectedly dark for two days. At first rumors were rampant about what could have caused the sudden pulling of the plug.

As it turns out, the reports of Stephen putting the show on hold to tend to his ailing mother were correct. On last night's show, Colbert didn't reference his mother by name, but he gave her a special shout-out, calling her a "lovely lady." Colbert also said of his mother, "Evidently, having 11 children makes you tough as nails."

It's that kind of wit and heart that endears Colbert to his fans. Night after night, Colbert steps into the shoes of his alter-ego and delivers satirical commentary with a surgeon's precision. I've often referred to him as our generation's Mark Twain, because of his ability to weave elaborate tapestries of satire, but make them very accessible to the everyone, without pandering.

On his first night back from the two day hiatus, Colbert lambasted Rick Santorum and the other GOP nominees for their very conservative views on contraception and the lack of female input in the discussion. What this shows is that it is possible to put down your "work" in order to take care of something personal and not miss a single beat, further demonstrating what's really important in life.

What warms our hearts so much about Colbert deciding to put his show on "pause" for a couple of days is that it demonstrates what seems to be so lacking in this world now, and that's perspective. Election years are the bread and butter of "The Colbert Report" and its sister show "The Daily Report." To lose two days is to give up thousands of sound bytes, articles and word-of-mouth discussion that keeps his show fresh and relevant.

Yet, when the time came to support his mother, of whom he's the youngest of eleven children, Colbert did the right thing and turned the lights off on his show. Proving that his own fame and success is not as important as being their for a sick loved one, Colbert shows that underneath the fake swagger and hubris is a very loving and caring man, and somehow that actually makes him funnier.