Stephen Colbert officially signed off from The Late Show after an emotional final episode featuring surprise guest Paul McCartney, bringing the iconic late-night program’s 33-year run to a close.
The finale aired Thursday night from New York’s historic Ed Sullivan Theater, where Colbert hosted the show for 11 seasons following the departure of legendary broadcaster David Letterman.
Opening the episode with his trademark monologue, Colbert joked that the night would proceed as a regular show instead of a sentimental farewell special.
Throughout the episode, several celebrity guests humorously competed for the honor of being Colbert’s final interview guest, including Bryan Cranston, Paul Rudd and Ryan Reynolds.
Colbert also joked about wanting Pope Leo XIV as his final guest, staging a comedic segment in which the pope supposedly refused to leave his dressing room.
The show’s biggest moment came when McCartney unexpectedly appeared on stage. The former The Beatles member reflected on the band’s historic appearances at the Ed Sullivan Theater and their early experiences touring the United States.
McCartney described America as “the land of the free” and praised the country’s influence on rock and blues music.
The pair later performed the Beatles classic “Hello, Goodbye” together as crew members and staff joined them on stage for the program’s final curtain call.
In the show’s closing moments, Colbert and McCartney were seen backstage switching off the theater lights, symbolically ending an era of late-night television.
Outside the theater, fans gathered to celebrate Colbert’s final episode, holding signs reading “Thank You Stephen” and “Colbert for President.”
The cancellation of The Late Show by CBS last year sparked major reactions across the entertainment industry. The network stated the decision was financial and unrelated to the show’s content or ratings.
During his tenure, Colbert became known for his sharp political humor and frequent criticism of Donald Trump, leading some viewers to question whether politics played a role in the show’s cancellation.
In the weeks leading up to the finale, major stars including Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, Bruce Springsteen, Jon Stewart, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers and John Oliver paid tribute to Colbert’s impact on late-night television.