NEW YORK » Comedy Central’s "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.

The network 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.

A Wall Street Journal blog post provided the only clue thus far as to why production of Colbert’s show was suddenly suspended: "an emergency in Mr. Colbert’s family."

Colbert’s popular "fake commentary" program airs Monday through Thursday, following "The Daily Show" with Jon Stewart.