Stephen Colbert Bids Farewell to 'The Late Show' with Star-Studded Finale

Stephen Colbert concluded his 11-year tenure as host of "The Late Show" on Thursday, marking the end of the 33-year-old franchise. The final episode featured an array of notable guests, including Paul McCartney, who reminisced about The Beatles' 1964 debut on the same stage.

In his opening monologue, Colbert expressed gratitude to his staff and audience, referring to the program as "The Joy Machine." He stated, "We call 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."

The episode included appearances by Bryan Cranston, Paul Rudd, and Tim Meadows, as well as a performance by Elvis Costello. A recurring comedic segment involved a fictional Pope refusing to appear due to dissatisfaction with his dressing room snacks.

CBS announced the show's cancellation in July 2025, citing financial considerations. 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's departure has elicited reactions from various public figures. Anderson Cooper delivered a tribute, highlighting Colbert's intelligence and humor. Bruce Springsteen performed "Streets of Minneapolis" in support of Colbert, expressing concern over the show's cancellation.

The final episode concluded with McCartney and Colbert performing "Hello, Goodbye," followed by a symbolic scene where the Ed Sullivan Theater was depicted being consumed by an interdimensional wormhole, leaving behind a snow globe playing "The Late Show" theme song.

Colbert's next endeavor involves co-writing an upcoming installment of the "Lord of the Rings" franchise.