Stephen Colbert suspended taping of Comedy Central's Colbert Report this week to be by the side of his ailing 91-year old mother, the New York Post reports.

Comedy Central had previously said taping had been suspended due to "unforeseen circumstances."

"They are a very private family," a source told the Post. "It's not surprising that he did not want anyone to know what was going on."

The source says Colbert is very close to his mother, Lorna Colbert. The nature of her ailment wasn't disclosed. 

Ticket holders hoping to see Colbert interview Claire Danes and Susan Cain this week were notified about the suspension via e-mail. The show was reportedly set to return soon and is airing reruns until then.