The Late Show With Stephen Colbert Bows Out With A Bang, Even Without The Pope

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After hosting The Late Show for 11 years, Stephen Colbert has finished his run at CBS, as the network also ends the 33-year-old late-night talk show. In his final episode, Colbert mixed humor with some pointed commentary.

As a late-night fan, I’ve been watching The Late Show since it started in ’93. It was born out of David Letterman leaving NBC – it wasn’t exactly a friendly split, you know? He ran with it until 2015, and then Stephen Colbert took over. It was a big shift for him, though! He dropped the character he played on The Colbert Report – the funny, fake conservative – and just became himself on The Late Show.

CBS has announced that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will conclude in July 2025, marking the end of its eleventh season. While CBS stated the decision was “purely a financial one” (according to Deadline), the show has consistently been a ratings success. Colbert is finishing his run as the most-watched late-night host for the last nine seasons, including among viewers aged 18-49 (Forbes).

Sources at CBS reportedly told the Wall Street Journal that The Late Show was losing $40 million annually with around 200 employees. Stephen Colbert says CBS offered him a five-year contract extension in 2023, but he signed a three-year deal. According to the New York Times, this suggests CBS’s financial outlook for the show changed between 2023 and July 2025.

CBS decided to cancel The Late Show around the time its parent company, Paramount+, was finalizing a merger with Skydance – a deal that needed approval from the Federal Communications Commission. Just days before, Paramount+ had also reached a $16 million settlement with former President Donald Trump. On July 14, 2025, host Stephen Colbert publicly described the settlement as “a big fat bribe.”

After news of Stephen Colbert’s suspension broke, former President Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to express his approval. According to Variety, Trump wrote that he was happy to see Colbert “fired,” adding that Colbert lacked both talent and viewership. He also predicted that Jimmy Kimmel would be next, claiming Kimmel is even less talented than Colbert.

Though the cancellation of his show was surrounded by debate and disagreement, Stephen Colbert chose to end The Late Show with a calm and appreciative episode, simply thanking his fans. The finale felt like a warm and happy goodbye, allowing Colbert one last chance to do what he enjoyed in the place he loved.

The Late Show With Stephen Colbert Series Finale Recap

For most of the final episode of the Late Show, things were pretty much business as usual. Colbert expressed his gratitude to the audience, and when they reacted negatively to him mentioning the show’s cancellation, he asked them to be quiet, reminding them that they’d enjoyed 11 years of the program.

Stephen Colbert began his monologue with jokes delivered from his desk. He was repeatedly interrupted by celebrities in the audience – Bryan Cranston, Paul Rudd, Tim Meadows, Tig Notaro, and Ryan Reynolds – who each jokingly asked if they would be the last guest on the show.

Before the show, there was a rumor that Pope Leo XIV was going to be the final guest, and Colbert playfully mentioned the Pope was refusing to leave the green room because he didn’t like the Chicago-style hot dogs he’d requested. Then, to everyone’s surprise, Paul McCartney appeared – it had been 62 years since The Beatles last performed at The Ed Sullivan Theater, the very same stage where he was now chatting with Colbert.

Paul McCartney was a delightful guest, but the interview was soon disrupted by frustrating technical problems. This led into a pre-recorded bit where Stephen Colbert discovered a glowing green wormhole threatening to swallow his show. In a series of comical appearances, Neil deGrasse Tyson tumbled into the wormhole, Jon Stewart offered Colbert advice, and the hosts of “Strike Force Five” – Jimmy Kimmel, John Oliver, Seth Meyers, and Jimmy Fallon – rallied him to finish the show despite the impending doom, warning that the wormhole was a threat to everyone.

Colbert returns to the stage for a musical performance with Elvis Costello, Jon Batiste, and Louis Cato. After a pre-recorded segment, they all perform The Beatles’ “Hello, Goodbye” with the show’s staff and Colbert’s family joining in the applause. The episode then cuts back to the pre-recorded segment, showing Paul McCartney flipping a large switch. This causes a glowing green portal to grow, ultimately engulfing the Ed Sullivan Theater and shrinking it down to the size of a snow globe, in a nod to the famous ending of the TV show St. Elsewhere.

The Late Show With Stephen Colbert Finale Was A Gentle, Joyful Episode, With A Few Barbs

Viewers expecting Stephen Colbert to use his final show as a platform to criticize those responsible for its end may be surprised. Colbert has stated he wants the episode to feel like a typical one, prioritizing jokes and connecting with the audience.

Despite the generally lighthearted tone, there were a few playful jabs. For example, Louis Cato and his band intentionally played music from the Peanuts cartoon, which resulted in a fine for CBS. Colbert also made a joke to Paul McCartney about the return of orange skin tones. Before the show, Jon Stewart delivered a particularly thoughtful critique, presenting a mock letter from Paramount+ to Colbert. The letter playfully chided Colbert for only focusing on the negative aspects of a destructive “wormhole,” suggesting he also acknowledge the other side of the story.

Stephen Colbert’s final show followed a typical format, though the appearances by famous guests were a highlight. The most genuinely enjoyable moments came during the pre-taped segments and especially when he was performing with Paul McCartney. Despite the uncertain future of late-night television and a sense of melancholy, Colbert chose to focus on having fun and demonstrating that joy is resilient.

How Stephen Colbert Has Addressed His Late Show Exit

Even though there’s been a lot of discussion about why The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is ending, Colbert himself hasn’t said what he believes the reason is. Over the past year, he’s suggested possible explanations, but it’s been other late-night hosts and famous people who have publicly blamed CBS and Donald Trump.

David Letterman reportedly called CBS “lying weasels” (according to the New York Times). During his May appearance on The Late Show, Bruce Springsteen stated, “I’m here tonight to support Stephen because you were the first person in America to lose a show because the president couldn’t handle a joke.”

Over the last year, Stephen Colbert has focused on appreciating his time hosting The Late Show rather than dwelling on any potential issues. He recently expressed some sadness that the show wouldn’t have a new host after he leaves (according to Entertainment Weekly). In a recent interview with The New York Times, Colbert emphasized his desire to maintain a good relationship with CBS, calling them “great partners.” He also stated that labeling late-night television as politically biased is unfair.

What’s Next For Stephen Colbert And The Late Show

Stephen Colbert is writing a script for a new Lord of the Rings movie at Warner Bros., currently called Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past. While he’s receiving offers for other work, he plans to take some time to consider his options before deciding what to do next.

After 33 years, The Late Show has finished its run. It won’t be replaced by another late-night talk show or a new host. Instead, Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen will air in its place at 11:35 PM. Comics Unleashed is a comedy show where stand-up comedians perform and chat together on a panel.

Stephen Colbert has been a familiar face on TV for years, starting as a correspondent on The Daily Show and previously working as a writer and performer on shows like Saturday Night Live and The Dana Carvey Show. With The Late Show with Stephen Colbert now finished, there’s a noticeable gap in late-night television, but it’s unlikely Colbert will be idle for long.

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2026-05-22 19:25