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All the cameos in Stephen Colbert's musical finale — in gif form

Bill Clinton on the last episode of The Colbert Report
Bill Clinton on the last episode of The Colbert Report
Comedy Central
Alex Abad-Santos is a senior correspondent who explains what society obsesses over, from Marvel and movies to fitness and skin care. He came to Vox in 2014. Prior to that, he worked at the Atlantic.

Stephen Colbert wrapped up The Colbert Report in the grandest fashion: a musical number. It wasn't just any musical number, it involved politicians, celebrities, scientists, dragons, and even Bill Clinton. Like a Russian nesting doll, each shot revealed more and more celebrities.

It began with Jon Stewart:

(Comedy Central)

Then, Willie Nelson and company joined in:

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At this point, you got the feeling that this was going to be big. And then Mandy Patinkin, Tom Brokaw, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and friends showed up:

Comedy Central

This is Keith Olbermann, Cyndi Lauper, Big Bird and Colbert's lawyer:

Comedy Central

Gloria Steinem seemed camera-shy (compared to Katie Couric and Andrew Sullivan):

Comedy Central

And Samantha Power is an enthusiastic dancer:

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And Kareem Abdul-Jabbar:

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OMG. Barry Manilow:

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This was a big moment for Andy Cohen:

Comedy Central

So, at this point it felt like everyone but you was invited to the finale. And then Arianna Huffington showed up:

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We see you Cory Booker (and you too George Lucas):

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Elijah Wood was a bit more difficult to spot:

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And then we got to what appears to be the people that make this magic happen:

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As well as Pussy Riot

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And ... Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan?!

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Servicemen and women in Afghanistan:

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Bill Clinton got a solo shot:

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As did this astronaut:

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And JJ Abrams too:

JJ Abrams

Oh, and there's no forgetting Smaug:

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There are, again, literally so many people at this finale:

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So Paul Krugman, Dan Savage, David Remnick, Matt Taibbi, and Tom Friedman walk into a bar:

Comedy Central

And one final shot:

Comedy Central

Don't you want to watch that number again?

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