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The curtain has closed on a significant chapter for Stephen Colbert. As the beloved host of “The Late Show,” Colbert bid an emotional farewell to audiences during the program’s final broadcast on May 21. Over the years, the CBS talk show became a staple of late-night television, and its conclusion marks the end of an era.
For his grand finale, Colbert was in illustrious company. Music icon Sir Paul McCartney joined him for a memorable interview, bringing a full circle moment as they reminisced about The Beatles’ historic first U.S. performance at the Ed Sullivan Theater. This very venue has been the home of “The Late Show” for 11 remarkable years.
Adding to the evening’s charm, Colbert was accompanied by a host of celebrities who delivered comedic segments, ensuring the final episode was a star-studded affair. Among those making appearances were Ryan Reynolds, Jon Stewart, Elijah Wood, Bryan Cranston, Paul Rudd, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Andy Cohen, Tim Meadows, and Tig Notaro. Their participation underscored the show’s legacy of blending humor with culture and entertainment.
However, Stephen wasn’t alone for his swansong. Indeed, he welcomed Sir Paul McCartney for his final interview and the pair chatted about The Beatles’ first U.S. performance in the Ed Sullivan Theater, where The Late Show has filmed for 11 years.
Plus, the 62-year-old had Ryan Reynolds, Jon Stewart, Elijah Wood, Bryan Cranston, Paul Rudd, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Andy Cohen, Tim Meadows and Tig Notaro perform comedic bits during the episode.Â
Meanwhile, fellow Strike Force Five members Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers and John Oliver showed up to give him a hilarious and moving send-off.
Which is exactly what Stephen gave his audience during the episode.
“This show has been a joy for us to do for you,” he said. “We call it ‘The Joy Machine,’ because to do this many shows, it has to be a machine. But the thing is, if you choose to do it with joy, it doesn’t hurt as much when your fingers get caught in the gears.”