It's time for some truthiness at Penn.
Pennsylvania's upcoming primary election is drawing more well-known figures to Philadelphia than just presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama - Stephen Colbert, the host of the Comedy Central show "The Colbert Report," will spend four days filming on campus next month.
Colbert announced on his show Monday night that "The Colbert Report" will tape at the Zellerbach Theatre in the Annenberg Center for Performing Arts from April 14 to 17.
"The road to the Democratic nomination goes through Pennsylvania, and I intend to make my show the decisive pothole on that road!" Colbert said in a Comedy Central press release.
This is the first time "The Colbert Report" has ever gone on the road. Normally, the show tapes in New York City.
Colbert and his 80 staffers will be filming at Penn in the four days leading up to the April 22 primary, with the crew arriving the Friday before to start preparing.
Annenberg Center managing director Michael Rose said details for the shows were finalized Tuesday.
"We're really excited about it," Rose said. "It fits in with a lot of the programs at Penn, really trying to be forward-thinking and serving the community."
The Annenberg Center also hosted "The Daily Show" with Jon Stewart in the summer of 2000, when the Republican National Convention took place in Philadelphia.
Tickets for "The Colbert Report" tapings at Penn became available Monday night during the 11:30 p.m. show. According to Comedy Central spokeswoman Renata Luczak, all four shows were completely booked within minutes of the announcement.
For Penn students who were able to get tickets, the show's appearance on campus is a major source of excitement.
"I think it's great for the University that we're able to get Colbert on campus," said College freshman Steven Gipson. "I'm really excited."
College freshman Grant Dubler agreed.
"I love the Colbert Report, and I've been a fan since the first episode," he said.
"I think it just goes to show you the influence that shows like this are having on America," he added. "You haven't seen any other news shows coming to Penn, but the Colbert Report is coming and that's awesome."
"The Colbert Report" airs Monday through Thursday at 11:30 p.m.
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