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Stephen Colbert’s final ever Late Show broadcast on CBS has included a star-studded lineup.
Singer Paul McCartney was Colbert’s final guest, gifting him a signed photo of the Beatles at the Ed Sullivan Theater.
Actor Bryan Cranston made an appearance early on in the show among the live audience, wearing a Late Show baseball cap.
Paul Rudd gave Colbert a retirement gift — not a golden watch, but a bundle of bananas.
Celebrities Ryan Reynolds, Tig Notaro, Tim Meadows and Neil deGrasse Tyson also showed up to the show. Comedians Jon Stewart, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers and John Oliver joined the finale as well.
Former Late Show bandleader Jon Batiste is also expected to make a performance, Deadline has reported.
The cancellation of the Emmy-winning comedian’s show was announced last July and came days after Colbert criticized the network’s parent company, Paramount, over a $16 million settlement with President Donald Trump.
Trump’s legal team accused 60 Minutes of deceptively editing a 2024 interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris.
The president said he would “have a message at a later date” when asked for his thoughts on the end of Colbert’s show.
Colbert’s late night colleagues included in Late Show send-off
Stephen Colbert’s late night colleagues Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers and John Oliver were also included in the Late Show’s send-off.
Rachel Dobkin22 May 2026 05:39
Neil deGrasse Tyson and Jon Stewart make Late Show appearance
In an unlikely mash-up, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Jon Stewart make an appearance on the Late Show.
Rachel Dobkin22 May 2026 05:36
Watch: Paul Rudd and Tim Meadows make surprise cameos on Stephen Colbert’s final showPaul Rudd and Tim Meadows make surprise cameos on Stephen Colbert’s final show
Rachel Dobkin22 May 2026 05:31
McCartney reveals common mishearing of Strawberry Fields
Paul McCartney has revealed a common mishearing of the hit Beatles song Strawberry Fields.
“Do people ever misinterpret your songs to you? “ Colbert asked McCartney.
“Strawberry Fields, the beginning, it says ‘Living is easy with eyes closed’…But some people think it’s ‘Living is easy with nice clothes,’” McCartney said.
Rachel Dobkin22 May 2026 05:31
Watch: Bryan Cranston storms off Stephen Colbert’s final Late Show taping in hilarious guest skitBryan Cranston storms off Stephen Colbert’s final Late Show taping in hilarious guest skit
Rachel Dobkin22 May 2026 05:24
McCartney gifts Colbert signed photo of Beatles
McCartney has gifted Colbert a signed photo of the Beatles performing at the Ed Sullivan Theater.
Rachel Dobkin22 May 2026 05:13
Paul McCartney is Colbert’s final guest
Singer Paul McCartney has walked on stage to be Stephen Colbert’s final guest.
Rachel Dobkin22 May 2026 05:10
Colbert takes shot at CBS with Peanuts music
Stephen Colbert has taken a shot at CBS with his Late Show band playing music from the Peanuts.
The owner of the music used in Peanuts television specials filed lawsuits against several defendants, including the Trump administration, alleging that it illegally used the tunes in social media posts and a game.
“Is the band right now playing the same Peanuts music that I just said people were being sued for using without permission?“ Colbert said.
“Oh no, I hope this doesn’t cost CBS any money,” Colbert sarcastically said.
Rachel Dobkin and Mike Bedigan22 May 2026 05:09
Tig Notaro and Ryan Reynolds joins Late Show
Comedian Tig Notaro and actor Ryan Reynolds have appeared in the audience on the Late Show.
“I just like to be at historic events. I was at the Obama inauguration, the moon landing, and whatever this is,” Nortaro joked.
“Tig, you weren’t at the moon landing,” Stephen Colbert said. “I said what I said,” Notaro replied.
Reynolds told Colbert, “I’m just happy to be here. Pay my respects to one of the world’s greatest entertainers on his last night at the Ed Sullivan Theater.”
Rachel Dobkin22 May 2026 05:04
Watch: Jimmy Kimmel urges viewers to ‘never watch CBS again’ after Stephen Colbert finale
The Late Show is on a commercial break. Here is what comedian Jimmy Kimmel had to say about Stephen Colbert’s finale.
Jimmy Kimmel urges viewers to ‘never watch CBS again’ after Stephen Colbert finale
Rachel Dobkin22 May 2026 04:52