 The show went on hiatus immediately after this as a result of the Writers Guild of America Strike.When it returned to air on January 7, 2008 without a writing staff, the character justified his absence by stating that he had taken some time off to have "a good cry" about his failed presidential attempt.He said that he had returned to air in celebration of Huckabee's success in the Iowa Caucus, something for which he considers himself personally responsible as Huckabee has appeared on the "Report" on numerous occasions to invite Colbert to be his running mate.