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The Late Show’s final CBS broadcast has ended a 33-year franchise as host Stephen Colbert brought out celebrity guests, including singer Paul McCartney, for the last episode.
McCartney joined Colbert on stage for Thursday night’s show, gifting him a signed photo of the Beatles’ first performance at the Ed Sullivan Theatre in 1964.
A slew of Colbert’s friends later joined, including comedians Jon Stewart, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers and John Oliver.
McCartney appeared to leave the stage during the interruption, but he then came back for a performance with Colbert, Jon Batiste and Elvis Costello.
They first played Costello’s Jump Up and then ended the show with the Beatles’ Hello, Goodbye.
Stars Bryan Cranston, Paul Rudd, Ryan Reynolds, Tig Notaro, Tim Meadows and Neil deGrasse Tyson also briefly showed up throughout the show.
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.
Colbert took over the show from David Letterman in September 2015.
Kristin Chenoweth shares clip of cherished Colbert memory: ‘Sorry for sterilizing you’
Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth has shared a clip of one of her “favorite” memories with Stephen Colbert.
In the video, Chenoweth is showing off her high notes on the Late Show. When she hits an E flat, Colbert jokes, “I’m glad I’ve already had my children because I think you just sterilized me.”
“We ALL love you so much, Stephen! Cheering for you on your final show tonight and as you embark on your next chapter… sorry for sterilizing you,” Chenoweth wrote on X ahead of the finale.
Rachel Dobkin22 May 2026 07:00
Stephen Colbert’s final Late Show sign-off includes tongue-in-cheek nod to CBS and show cancellation
Stephen Colbert has issued his final farewell to The Late Show — but not without taking aim at CBS.
The network announced the cancellation of the long-running Late Show franchise last July, just days after Colbert criticized the network’s parent company, Paramount, for reaching a $16 million settlement with President Donald Trump over accusations that its newsmagazine series 60 Minutes deceptively edited a 2024 interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris.
The last moments of Colbert’s final broadcast included a performance of The Beatles’ hit song “Hello, Goodbye” led by special guest Paul McCartney. Colbert, who was singing along at a microphone, was joined onstage by his family and what appeared to be staffers on the long-running CBS show.
As the song continued in the background, Colbert and McCartney were then seen standing backstage beside an electrical box and lever labeled “Late Show.” After Colbert gave McCartney the nod, the Beatles singer pulled the lever — effectively pulling the plug on the power to historic Ed Sullivan Theater that housed the late night show, in a seeming jab at CBS canceling the series.
Caitlin Hornik22 May 2026 06:30
Full list of Colbert’s Late Show finale guests
Here’s a full list of guests that appeared on the final episode of the Late Show with Stephen Colbert:
Paul McCartney Jon StewartJimmy FallonJimmy KimmelSeth Meyers John Oliver Jon Batiste Elvis Costello Bryan CranstonPaul RuddRyan ReynoldsTig NotaroTim MeadowsNeil deGrasse Tyson
Rachel Dobkin22 May 2026 06:26
Colbert ends show with Hello, Goodbye performance with McCartney
Stephen Colbert has ended the final Late Show with a performance of the iconic Beatles song Hello, Goodbye.
Colbert was joined by Beatles singer Paul McCartney, former Late Show bandleader Jon Batiste and musical icon Elvis Costello.
Rachel Dobkin22 May 2026 06:00
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