THE COLBERT REPORT Kicks Off Tolkien-Themed Week Today

In major anticipation of the film "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," J.R.R. Tolkien enthusiast/super fan Stephen Colbert will host guest appearances from Sir Ian McKellan (Gandalf; today, 12/3), Martin Freeman (Bilbo Baggins; 12/4), director Peter Jackson (12/5) and Andy Serkis (Gollum; 12/6) on "The Colbert Report" at 11:30 p.m. ET/PT. "The Hobbit" hits theaters nationwide on Friday, December 14.

Colbert can't contain his excitement about the week, saying, "Elen sila lumenn' omentielvo... I mean that sincerely."

Colbert has exhibited his exuberant fascination for all things Tolkien throughout the show's history - whether it's sparring with James Franco on "The Lord of the Rings" knowledge, digressing with Elijah Wood during his "Happy Feet Two" promotion appearance by discussing his "Lord of the Rings" roles and comparing swords, or analyzing John McCain's "Lord of the Rings" debt Crisis analogy in Congress.

"The Colbert Report" is produced by Jon Stewart's Busboy Productions, Inc. in association with Colbert's Spartina Productions, Inc. Stewart, Colbert and Tom Purcell are the Executive Producers with MerEdith Bennett, Richard Dahm and Barry Julien as Co-Executive Producers. The series' Head Writer is Opus Moreschi and it is directed by Jim Hoskinson. David Bernath is the Executive in Charge of Production for COMEDY CENTRAL.