Stephen Colbert says farewell to "The Late Show": "We were lucky ...
Stephen Colbert hosted "The Late Show" for the final time Thursday night as the franchise came to an end after 33 years.
www.cbsnews.comappeared at the May 22, 2026 finale, the guest lineup included Paul McCartney; a final segment showed the Ed Sullivan Theater swallowed by a wormhole, encased within a snow globe; the broadcast also highlighted Strike Force Five members and a musical moment, while Colbert critiqued corporate influence in entertainment; it marked the end of a 33-year CBS late-night era for Colbert. The wrap included appearances by Strike Force Five members and a musical moment, plus the show spotlighted Colbert's critique of corporate influence in entertainment; the finale echoed a famous TV finale motif with the theater frozen in a snow globe, closing the era of an era for CBS late-night.