Stephen Colbert Wraps Up ‘The Late Show’ with Star-Studded Finale
Stephen Colbert has officially stepped away from his role as host of ‘The Late Show’ after 11 years, concluding with a series finale that eschewed political themes.
Colbert expressed his gratitude warmly to the audience, saying, “This show… was such a pleasure to do for you guys.” He recalled his time on ‘The Colbert Report,’ noting, “Anyone can read the news, and I promise you will feel the news.” He emphasized that the essence of his current show was to connect with viewers on the emotional aspects of news, adding, “I don’t know about you, but I certainly felt that.”
Colbert’s Political Landscape
Interestingly, Colbert, known for shaping the political landscape of late-night television, chose to sidestep political discourse during his farewell episode, even avoiding mentioning former President Donald Trump’s name entirely.
Numerous celebrity friends filled the stage, including Bryan Cranston, Paul Rudd, Tim Meadows, and Jon Stewart, many of whom playfully expressed a desire to be his final guest. Ultimately, that privilege went to Paul McCartney, who presented Colbert with a framed, signed photograph celebrating the Beatles’ American debut, an event that took place 62 years earlier at the same studio.
Reflecting on Colbert’s Journey
In recent years, Colbert became known for his critiques of Trump, liberal discussions, and high-profile guests keen to engage with him. Fellow late-night hosts also made appearances to honor him, with Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon airing reruns in solidarity for their colleague.
Colbert has hosted over 200 episodes as a figure with a clear left-leaning perspective throughout his tenure.
The finale featured a lively musical segment, including a performance of “Jump Up” by Colbert and notable artists such as Elvis Costello and Jon Batiste, culminating in McCartney joining in to sing “Hello, Goodbye.”
Colbert’s family and show staff joined him for a heartfelt farewell on stage.
CBS and the Future
The cancellation of ‘The Late Show,’ announced last summer shortly after a controversial lawsuit settlement connected to Trump, ignited discussions about the reasons behind such a decision. Supporters of Colbert accused CBS of political motivations, while the network maintained it was a financial choice—a claim Colbert challenged during his final broadcast. Reports had surfaced indicating that the show was costing CBS around $40 million annually.
