Stephen Colbert‘s “Late Show” has proven in a short period of time that it doesn’t need to go for laughs every minute of every show — the new iteration of CBS’ staple is not afraid to get sincere and stay there.
The show’s new host welcomed Vice President Joe Biden on Thursday’s episode, during which he wasted no time initiating a solemn conversation about the politician’s son Beau, who died in May after a battle with brain cancer.
“He was better than me in almost every way,” the doting father said, sharing stories of his boy as both a young child and a grown man. “I’m not making this up. I know I maybe [just] sound like a father.”
“It sounds like you love him, sir,” Colbert interjected as things got dusty.
The segment didn’t get much lighter immediately afterward either, as Colbert and Biden discussed how their faith has helped them through tragedy.
Watch the video above.
Later on the show, Biden told Colbert that’s he’s not yet ready to run for President.
“I don’t think any man or woman should run for president unless, number one, they know exactly why they would want to be president and, two, they can look at folks out there and say, ‘I promise you: you have my whole heart, my whole soul, my energy and my passion to do this,’” he said. “And I’d be lying if I said that I knew I was there.”