Stephen Colbert wrapped up his tenure as host of “The Late Show” after 11 years on CBS with an emotional series finale that brought together numerous celebrities and musical performances. The final episode aired Thursday night, marking the end of an era for the late-night program that occupied the Ed Sullivan Theater. The host opted for a celebration-focused sendoff rather than his typically political content, choosing to reflect on the shared experiences with his audience throughout his run.
The episode opened with Colbert addressing viewers directly about the journey. “This show has been a joy for us to do for you,” he told the audience during the cold open. The host referenced his earlier career on “The Colbert Report,” noting how his approach evolved when he transitioned to “The Late Show.” He acknowledged that the role shifted from delivering commentary at viewers to experiencing events alongside them over the past decade.
Celebrity appearances dominated the final broadcast
The finale featured an extensive lineup of familiar faces who had appeared on the program throughout its run. Bryan Cranston, Paul Rudd, Tim Meadows, Tig Notaro, Ryan Reynolds, Neil deGrass Tyson, Andy Cohen, Elijah Wood, and Jon Stewart all made cameo appearances. Many of the guests participated in a comedic bit where they jokingly competed to be Colbert’s final interview. The honor ultimately went to music legend Paul McCartney, who shared a meaningful gift with the host.
McCartney presented Colbert with a framed and signed photograph of The Beatles during their American debut on “The Ed Sullivan Show” in 1964. The gift held special significance as that historic performance took place in the same studio 62 years earlier. The gesture connected Colbert’s finale to one of television’s most memorable moments, creating a full-circle moment for the venue’s legacy.
Fellow late-night hosts offered tributes and support
The late-night community rallied around Colbert’s departure. Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, and John Oliver all contributed sendoff messages during the episode, following their joint appearance earlier in the month. Kimmel and Fallon took their support further by announcing they would air reruns on Thursday night in solidarity with their colleague. The gesture highlighted the camaraderie among hosts who compete in the same time slot but share mutual respect for the craft.
- Bryan Cranston and Paul Rudd led celebrity cameos throughout the episode
- Jon Stewart returned to support his former colleague and friend
- Ryan Reynolds and Neil deGrass Tyson joined the star-studded lineup
- Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon aired reruns in solidarity
- Seth Meyers and John Oliver contributed video tributes
Musical performances closed the extended finale
The show concluded with an elaborate musical segment featuring Colbert himself alongside Elvis Costello, Jon Batiste, and Louis Cato performing “Jump Up.” McCartney then joined the group on stage to perform the Beatles classic “Hello, Goodbye.” The performance expanded to include Colbert’s family members and the entire “Late Show” staff, creating a celebratory atmosphere for the final moments. The musical sendoff provided an uplifting conclusion to more than a decade of programming from the studio.
Cancellation sparked debate about network decisions
CBS announced the cancellation of “The Late Show” last summer, triggering widespread discussion about the network’s motivations. The timing of the announcement raised questions, coming just days after CBS parent company Paramount settled a lawsuit involving former President Donald Trump and “60 Minutes.” Shortly after the cancellation news, Trump’s Federal Communications Commission approved Paramount’s merger with Skydance Media, a company run by David Ellison, whose father Larry Ellison maintains ties to Trump.
Network executives maintained the decision was purely financial, citing reports that “The Late Show” was losing approximately $40 million annually. Colbert publicly rejected this explanation during his broadcasts, openly disagreeing with his corporate leadership about the stated reasons. His liberal supporters accused CBS of removing him for political reasons, though the network consistently denied any connection between political factors and the cancellation decision.
Host avoided political content in final appearance
Despite building a reputation for political commentary throughout his late-night career, Colbert steered clear of political topics during his finale. He did not mention President Donald Trump by name, a notable departure from his typical approach. The host, widely credited with leading the trend toward more politicized late-night television, chose instead to focus on nostalgia, gratitude, and celebration with his guests and audience.
The farewell episode represented a departure from Colbert’s usual format, which frequently featured extended segments about current political events and figures. Over the course of his tenure, he hosted left-leaning journalists and political figures more than 200 times, establishing “The Late Show” as a platform that leaned heavily into partisan commentary. The final broadcast’s apolitical nature provided a contrast to the show’s typical content, offering viewers a different side of the host as he concluded his run at the Ed Sullivan Theater.
