Stephen Colbert closed the curtain on "The Late Show" after more than ten years and over 1,800 episodes, ending a run that began when he succeeded David Letterman in September 2015. The CBS program, which originated in August 1993 at the Ed Sullivan Theater, wrapped with a mix of heartfelt remarks, celebrity cameos and a final musical performance by Paul McCartney.
Colbert opened the broadcast with a direct address to viewers, describing the program as "The Joy Machine" and reflecting on the effort required to produce so many shows. "This show… I want you to know this show has been a joy for us to do for you," he said. He also recalled his earlier Comedy Central series, noting that the job on CBS had become one of feeling the news alongside the audience rather than simply delivering it.
The evening featured numerous surprise appearances before McCartney took the stage as the sole main guest. Bryan Cranston, Paul Rudd, Tim Meadows, Ryan Reynolds and Tig Notaro each popped up during the monologue with lighthearted interruptions. Cranston offered a "surprise celebrity cameo," while Rudd presented five bananas instead of a traditional farewell gift. Meadows referenced their shared Second City history, and Notaro joked about attending historic events including the moon landing.
McCartney, who said he was "just in the area" running errands, presented Colbert with a framed photograph of The Beatles performing at the Ed Sullivan Theater in 1964. The musician recalled the screaming fans and described Ed Sullivan as "a really cool guy." He also offered a brief political note, calling America "the land of the free, the greatest democracy… Still is." McCartney later performed The Beatles' 1967 single "Hello, Goodbye" to close the show, after which the audience and Colbert's colleagues joined him onstage.
Additional late-night hosts appeared in a pre-recorded segment involving a black hole that threatened the comedy landscape. John Oliver, Seth Meyers, Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon joined the bit, with Kimmel remarking that late-night "is not gonna be the same without you." Neil DeGrasse Tyson explained the scientific premise, while Jon Stewart read a mock Paramount statement. Elvis Costello performed "Jump Up" alongside Colbert's former bandleader Jon Batiste and current bandleader Louis Cato.
The cancellation of "The Late Show" and the broader CBS late-night franchise was announced ten months earlier. Network officials described the move as "purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night" and stated it was "not related in any way to the show's performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount." The timing drew scrutiny because it followed Colbert's on-air criticism of a $16 million settlement between Paramount Global and Donald Trump, which he called a "big fat bribe."
Colbert referenced the Ed Sullivan Theater's storied past during his remarks, noting appearances by Nichols and May and the Beatles' American debut. He also joked about Elvis Presley using the backstage bathroom. The host has been on an extended farewell tour since the ax fell, with the final episode serving as a capstone that included both humor and reflection on the community built among the staff.
McCartney fielded questions about his memories of the 1964 performance and his upcoming projects, including a new record titled "The Boys of Dungeon Lane" and the Sam Mendes Beatles film series. He described post-show rituals that typically involve a cheese and pickle sandwich. The appearance capped an evening that blended nostalgia with the program's signature satirical style.
Colbert's tenure followed Letterman's 22-year run and continued the theater's legacy as a hub for variety programming. The finale drew together figures from across late-night television, underscoring the interconnected nature of the format even as the CBS franchise concludes. Viewers and participants alike described the atmosphere as both celebratory and bittersweet.
With the program's end, questions remain about the future of late-night comedy on broadcast television. CBS has not announced plans to replace the slot with similar programming, and the decision has prompted discussion about shifting viewer habits and economic pressures in the genre. Colbert's final broadcast offered a last opportunity for the host and his guests to acknowledge the audience's role in sustaining the show across more than a decade.