The coolest thing about modern talk/news shows is that you sometimes find artists performing in the most unusual places.
One of the most unlikely spots for musical guests, at least it was when it started, is "The Colbert Report."
Since its debut in 2005, the show, which features a host who's a parody of political pundits and described by Colbert as a "well-intentioned, poorly informed, high-status idot", has gradually become one of the premiere places for high-powered acts to perform.
Canadian trio Rush made its first U.S. television appearance since 1975 on the Comedy Central program recently and other guests have included Nas, John Legend, R.E.M., Neil Young, Crosby, Stills & Nash and Toby Keith.
Colbert will take the transformation one step further this holiday season, when he hosts his own Christmas special, "A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All."
The November 23 one-hour show will feature Colbert in duets with Legend, Elvis Costello, Keith, Willie Nelson, Feist and "The Daily Show" host John Stewart.
Most of the special's songs were written by "Daily Show" executive producer David Javerbaum and Fountains of Wayne bassist Adam Schlesinger.
A DVD of the special will be released November 25, with part of the proceeds going to FeedingAmerica.org.
Thursday, September 18
Nelly with Akon and Ashanti - "The Ellen DeGeneres Show"
Jason Sklar, Randy Sklar - "Chelsea Lately"
Russell Peters - "The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos"
Fleet Foxes - "Late Show with David Letterman" - rerun
Dane Cook, Hawthorne Heights - "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno"
Willie Nelson, Southside Johnny with La Bamba's Big Band - "Late Night with Conan O'Brien"
Ricky Gervais, Good Charlotte - "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"
Dr. Dog, Steve Hofstetter - "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson"
Aushua - "Last Call with Carson Daly"
Friday, September 19
Bill Engvall, Brody Stevens, Kim Coles, Heather McDonald - "Chelsea Lately"
Ricky Gervais - "The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos" - rerun
Robin Williams, Duffy - "Late Show with David Letterman" - rerun
Dolly Parton - "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno"
Ice-T, Shane Mauss - "Late Night with Conan O'Brien"
Cold War Kids - "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"
Saturday, September 20
John Mayer - "Austin City Limits" - rerun
Kings of Leon - "Saturday Night Live"