After hyperventilating into a brown paper bag, Comedy Central host Stephen Colbert issued a "rare apology" to the Cherokee County city after calling it "crappy" on national television last month.

The tossed off barb originated when Colbert was describing presidential candidate John McCain's travel schedule, saying "And Canton, and not the crappy Canton in Georgia. I'm talking about Canton, Ohio!"

On Wednesday's episode, Colbert told viewers: "Evidently, I offended some people because two days later, I saw this in The Atlanta Journal Constitution," holding aloft our "Colbert's 'Crappy Canton' Comment Puzzles Mayor" story written by AJC reporter Jamie Gumbrecht.

"Seems the mayor of Canton, Georgia, was none too happy with me," he continued.

"It's clear to me he has not been to Canton, Georgia," Mayor Gene Hobgood says in a video clip via WXIA.

"You're absolutely right, Mayor Hobgood" Colbert said, to laughs. "I haven't. But I hear it's a beautiful place. Nestled in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains, Canton is the fastest-growing city in Georgia. It has so much to offer, like the Canton Historical Theatre and the Hickory Creek Log Dam. Not to mention oxygen and paved roads."

"Yes, Canton, Georgia, a wonderful place to live. So again, Mayor Hobgood. I apologize."

"Why did I call your lovely city crappy? A simple mix-up. I meant Canton, Kansas. That place is a real [expletive] hole!"