Stephen Colbert aired the final episode of The Late Show on Thursday, May 21, 2026, ending a 33-year run that began in 1993 [1, 2]. CBS had announced the show’s cancellation in July 2025, citing financial reasons [2].
Colbert hosted more than 1,800 episodes during his 11 years as The Late Show host, beginning in 2015 [2]. The finale included surprise appearances by Bryan Cranston, Paul Rudd, Tim Meadows, Tig Notaro, Ryan Reynolds, Jon Stewart, Bruce Springsteen, David Byrne, and Paul McCartney [1, 2]. Paul McCartney presented Colbert with a signed photo of The Beatles’ 1964 Ed Sullivan Show performance [2]. Neil deGrasse Tyson also made a cameo in a sci-fi themed segment backstage [2].
The audience reacted emotionally, booing after Colbert announced that it was the show’s final broadcast from the Ed Sullivan Theater [2]. Colbert reflected on the experience, saying, "We called it the joy machine because to do this many shows, it has to be a machine. But the thing is, if you choose to do it with joy, it doesn't hurt as much when your fingers get caught in the gears" [2]. Comedian Tig Notaro joked about the milestone, saying, "I just like to be at historic events. I was at the Obama inauguration, the moon landing, and whatever this is" [1].
The Late Show finale marked the end of CBS’s long-running late-night franchise at the Ed Sullivan Theater. The program’s final broadcast concluded on May 21, 2026 [1, 2].
