NEW YORK — "Colbert Report" is off the air and it's a mystery why.

An expected new episode of the show was replaced by a repeat on Wednesday. Comedy Central said Thursday's live show will be off, too.

U.S. cable network "Comedy Central" said it was airing the repeats "due to unforeseen circumstances," but offered no other explanation. A person close to the show, who wasn't authorized to speak publically on the matter, told The Associated Press that new episodes are expected to return soon.

A publicist for Colbert declined to comment.

Colbert's popular "fake commentary" program airs on CTV and The Comedy Network in Canada, Monday through Thursday, following "The Daily Show" with Jon Stewart.