Stephen Colbert hosts wedding on air for couple thwarted by shutdown

The government shutdown thwarted Mike Cassesso and MaiLien Le’s plans to get married at the Jefferson Memorial, but on Thursday night they got something perhaps even more memorable: a wedding officiated by none other than Stephen Colbert.

The funnyman and ordained minister hosted a nuptial celebration and even quickie bachelor/bachelorette parties complete with shots and strippers on “The Colbert Report.” He got some assistance from celebrity friends, including Mandy Patinkin, who sang a Jewish blessing and got in a nice plug for “Homeland,” and Smokey Bear, who stepped in as best man.

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Plenty of other shows have hosted weddings -- starting with Tiny Tim on “The Tonight Show” and continuing on “Today,” “Conan” and now even “Watch What Happens Live” -- but leave it to “The Colbert Report” to do so in a way that’s both silly and surprisingly sweet.

Who knew having your wedding plans ruined by feckless politicians could be so delightful?

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