• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, August 20, 2010

Comedy Central wisecracker Stephen Colbert will offer tribute shows next month to troops leaving Iraq as the U.S. reduces its presence there. "The Colbert Report" specials will feature veterans and active duty service-people via a satellite hook-up from Walter Reed Hospital in Washington.

The studio audience will include other military personnel, and additional feeds will be from Iraq and Afghanistan with troops. Vice President Joe Biden will bring his considerable sense of humor as a guest in a first-time appearance.

The shows airing in Colbert's 11:30 p.m. slot on Sept. 8 and 9 will carry a title seemingly drawn from George W. Bush syntax: "Been There: Won That: The Returnification of the American-Do Troopscape."

Another guest will be Commanding General, United States Forces-Iraq Ray Odierno, who famously shaved Colbert's head last year when "The Colbert Report" visited Iraq to host shows. One of those Iraq episodes earned an Emmy nomination for writing. Heading into the Emmy awards this year, the show has three nominations, including outstanding variety, music or comedy series.

Virginia Democratic Senator Jim Webb will be another guest on the specials. Ever sardonic, Colbert stated: "The Iraq War is over, and all Americans should thank the returning troops. And quickly before they get sent to Afghanistan."

Comedy Central is currently seen in more than 98 million homes nationwide.