A Grand Finale Filled with Humor and Peers
After a successful ten-year tenure, comedian Stephen Colbert has officially bid farewell to The Late Show. During the series finale, which aired on Thursday, May 21, the 62-year-old host maintained his signature wit, notably appearing in a humorous segment involving a backstage wormhole that threatened to pull him away from his final broadcast.
"I didn’t think my show would end like this," Colbert joked during the sketch. The segment featured surprise appearances from his late-night counterparts—John Oliver, Seth Meyers, Jimmy Kimmel, and Jimmy Fallon—who stopped by to see him off.
Reflecting on History and Celebrity Milestones
The final broadcast was deeply rooted in the history of the Ed Sullivan Theater, the iconic venue where the show was filmed. In his opening monologue, Colbert honored the space’s legacy, noting that it had hosted legends ranging from Nichols and May to the American debut of The Beatles. He also couldn't resist a classic Colbert jab, joking, "Backstage, Elvis used the bathroom and didn’t die."
The episode was packed with guest appearances from stars like Bryan Cranston, Paul Rudd, and Ryan Reynolds. The night culminated in an interview with musical icon Paul McCartney. At 83, McCartney shared anecdotes about the band's first trip to America in 1964. The evening concluded with a touching performance by McCartney, who played The Beatles' classic, "Hello, Goodbye."
The Decision Behind the Cancellation
Colbert had previously announced the cancellation of The Late Show in July 2025. While CBS executives characterized the decision as purely "financial" and unrelated to the show's performance or content, Colbert was candid about his perspective on the air. He acknowledged the public's skepticism regarding the network's motivations, particularly in light of corporate changes following a legal settlement involving Paramount Global.
Looking Toward the Future
While Colbert has not yet disclosed his specific future career path, he has indicated a desire to move away from the daily demands of the news cycle. In a previous interview with GQ in November 2025, the host expressed a sense of relief regarding his departure:
"I know who I am without this. … I was married with all my children before I was Stephen Colbert, that anybody would know. And my identity is associated with that. And the family I grew up with and my faith."
With The Late Show concluding its run, CBS has announced that Comics Unleashed With Byron Allen will take over the time slot. Colbert leaves behind a legacy of dedicated satire and a loyal audience that joined him for over a decade of nightly conversation.