Stephen Colbert to Host Fellow Late-Night Stars as 'The Late Show' Concludes
Stephen Colbert will host fellow late-night hosts and notable guests as 'The Late Show' approaches its final episode on May 21, 2026.
As "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" approaches its final episode on May 21, 2026, host Stephen Colbert has announced a lineup of prominent guests to mark the show's conclusion. On May 11, Colbert will welcome fellow late-night hosts Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, and John Oliver. This reunion follows their 2023 collaboration on the "Strike Force Five" podcast, which supported their staff during industry strikes.
David Letterman, the original host of "The Late Show," is scheduled to appear on May 14. Letterman hosted the program from 1993 until his retirement in 2015, when Colbert took over.
Additional guests leading up to the finale include John Krasinski, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Pedro Pascal, and Tom Hanks. Special segments will feature performances by Broadway artists and a "Colbert Questionert" with former President Barack Obama.
CBS announced in July 2025 that "The Late Show" would conclude in May 2026, citing financial reasons. The network emphasized that the decision was "not related in any way to the show's performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount."
Colbert shared the news with his audience during a taping, expressing that he found out about the cancellation the previous night. The audience responded with boos, to which Colbert replied, "I share your feelings."