Stephen Colbert officially signed off from The Late Show on Thursday, May 21, bringing an end to his decade-long run as host of the franchise after more than 1,800 episodes.
Fans gathered outside the Ed Sullivan Theater despite rainy weather to witness the taping of Colbert’s final episode, many holding signs expressing appreciation for the longtime host.
Instead of beginning with his traditional opening monologue, Colbert addressed viewers directly, describing the program as a “Joy Machine” and reflecting on the experience of creating the show over the past ten years. He praised the staff and crew, emphasizing the close relationships built behind the scenes during the show’s run.
Although Colbert often discussed politics and frequently criticized former President Donald Trump during his tenure, he did not mention Trump during the finale episode.
The final broadcast featured numerous celebrity appearances, including Bryan Cranston, Paul Rudd, and Tim Meadows. Colbert’s final sit-down interview was with music legend Paul McCartney, who returned to the Ed Sullivan Theater, the same venue where The Beatles famously performed in 1964.
The finale also included appearances by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and Colbert’s fellow “Strike Force Five” late-night hosts: Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, and John Oliver. Longtime friend and mentor Jon Stewart also appeared.
Musical performances were provided by Jon Batiste and Elvis Costello, with Colbert joining them on stage. The episode concluded with McCartney performing the 1967 Beatles song “Hello, Goodbye,” accompanied by Colbert, Batiste, and Costello.
The decision to end The Late Show franchise was announced by CBS in July, with the network stating it was based solely on financial considerations and unrelated to the show’s content or ratings. The franchise originally began in 1993 with host David Letterman.
In recent interviews, Colbert reflected positively on stepping away from late-night television, saying the demanding schedule consumed much of his energy and that he now looks forward to pursuing other projects and spending more time with family.
Beginning Friday, the show’s time slot will be replaced by Comics Unleashed, hosted by Byron Allen.
