Daft Punk was a no-show on Tuesday’s installment of “The Colbert Report.”
The TV-shy French duo was set to appear on the Comedy Central program, but due to contractual obligations to the MTV Video Music Awards later this month, they canceled their scheduled performance. Both MTV and Comedy Central are owned by Viacom.
“We booked Click and Clack over here about a month ago,” host Stephen Colbert said during Tuesday’s broadcast. “Apparently, Daft Punk are going to make a surprise appearance on the MTV Video Music Awards. Don’t tell anyone, because fun fact: No one told me until two hours ago.”
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Colbert even named MTV president Van Toffler — whom the host said claimed to have the exclusive TV rights to Daft Punk — showing an alleged email that quoted Toffler as saying: “Not sure I can help you with that one. … Checked with my peeps …. and they’re feelin’ funky on this one.”
Still, Colbert managed to lure bold-faced names like Hugh Laurie, Bryan Cranston, Matt Damon, Jeff Bridges, Jimmy Fallon and Jon Stewart to take part in a “Get Lucky” dance party. (Watch the video below.)
Daft Punk’s appearance, in support of their latest Random Access Memories album, was part of Colbert’s “music festival,” Colbchella. Instead, Robin Thicke performed his single “Blurred Lines” in their place.
On a July 29 episode of NBC’s Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, Colbert dropped by the late-night talker dancing to Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky” in anticipation of the group’s appearance. (Colbert first appears at the 7:25 mark.)
The MTV Movie Awards are set to take place at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on Aug. 25. Daft Punk joins previously announced performers Kanye West and Lady Gaga on the bill.
Reps for MTV did not immediately respond for comment.