We just can't seem to make it happen. After all the rumors, speculation, teasers and hyped-up promo, something keeps preventing Daft Punk from making appearances. The latest case: Their Colbert Report gig was scrapped at the last minute by Viacom, due to an upcoming "surprise" performance at the MTV VMAs.

“Here’s the story: it’s a true story," a disappointed Colbert revealed on Tuesday. "We booked click and clack over here about a month ago. This network is owned by Viacom, which is also the owner of MTV… 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.”

MTV says they have an exclusive agreement with Daft Punk for the VMAs. And no one thought to mention that before today? Maybe—just maybe—the robots were never going to play Colbert at all. Perhaps this was all about the VMAs.

But all was not lost. Colbert subsequently danced to “Get Lucky” with a great roster of A-list friends: Hugh Laurie, Ashton Kutcher, Matt Damon, Jimmy Fallon, the cast of Breaking Bad, Henry Kissinger and Robin Thicke, who also performed “Blurred Lines." You win some, you lose some.

Now it appears the VMAs are shaping up to be quite the event. In Brooklyn. With Daft Punk. And Kanye West. Oh yeah, and Lady Gaga.

Watch the clip below of Colbert dancing to "Get Lucky":

{youtube}MNzIrXJ-CYw|600|338|{/youtube}