NEW YORK: Stephen Colbert made his “Late Show” debut, giving Hollywood hunk George Clooney a wedding present and eliciting jokes from White House hopeful Jeb Bush in kicking off a new era in American late-night television comedy.

It was a jubilant start for the 51-year-old Catholic family man as he tries to step into the shoes of one of America’s biggest television legends, David Letterman, who retired this summer after a 33-year career.

He paid tribute to his predecessor with a salute, calling himself “a first generation Letterman fan” and proudly introduced the rapturous studio audience to the renovated Ed Sullivan Theater in New York.

There was cameo from one of his rivals, Jimmy Fallon from NBC’s “Tonight Show” and a stream of jokes ridiculing business mogul Donald Trump, who has trounced Bush in the Republican polls.

Colbert dives into a fiercely competitive market. America’s beloved world of late-night television is vastly different from the golden age dominated by the likes of Letterman, Jay Leno and Johnny Carson.

But it was a buzzing start. There were chants of “Stephen, Stephen, Stephen,” and cheers and claps from the studio audience.

Bush stepped out in relaxed mode, taking swipe at President Barack Obama but otherwise smiling and joking along. “It connotes excitement,” he dead panned when asked about his campaign posters marked “Jeb!“

“Younger, much better looking,” was his quick-fire response when asked in what ways he differed from his brother, former president George W. Bush.

To Clooney, Colbert gave a present to mark his wedding to human rights lawyer Amal Clooney — a paperweight inscribed with the words “I don’t know you.”

“What is it like to be the arm candy in a relationship?” Colbert quipped.

Members of the public who attended the show’s taping in person were happy when they came out.

“It was very funny. It was different. The vibe was cool. The energy was really nice,” said a man in his 20s who gave his name as Marcus.

One couple said they flew all the way from Houston, Texas.

“It was fantastic. It was really great,” said the man, refusing to give his name. “I can’t wait to see how he continues. He did a fantastic job. He met my expectations big time. He’s really a cool guy.”