The final episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert has officially aired and it was a star-studded night to say farewell to Stephen Colbert‘s late night show.
CBS canceled The Late Show in July 2025, just days after Colbert had criticized Paramount Global over its $16 million lawsuit settlement with Donald Trump. The network has claimed that the decision to end the show was based on financial pressures facing late-night television.
Colbert‘s final show aired on Thursday night (May 21) with several special guests popping into New York City’s legendary Ed Sullivan Theater for the event.
Colbert began his monologue by noting that he didn’t want to do anything special for the final show and thought the best way to honor the show’s legacy would be to wrap up with a normal episode, showing everyone what they do best at The Late Show.
Well, that didn’t go as planned, because quite a few celebrities popped up while he was speaking!
Bryan Cranston
Bryan Cranston joked that he wanted to be the final guest on the show, but Stephen had already booked someone else, so the actor stormed out of the theater and said he was going to sell his ticket on the street.
Paul Rudd and Tim Meadows
Paul Rudd interrupted the show next and asked when his interview was going to start, because he wrote a very long poem that he planned on reciting. He was also told he’s not the final guest.
Tim Meadows was sitting in front of him in the audience and told Paul that he has to accept not being the final guest. He thought it would be him too and when he found out it wasn’t, Tim screamed out, “Screw you!”
Ryan Reynolds
Ryan Reynolds also stopped by as a surprise!
Tig Notaro and Kate Micucci
Comedian Tig Notaro made a cameo in the audience at one point and comedian Kate Micucci was seen sitting behind her.
The other late night hosts!
John Oliver, Seth Meyers, Jimmy Kimmel, and Jimmy Fallon filmed a bit with Colbert to be shown during the final show.
Jon Stewart
Legendary late night host Jon Stewart also stopped by!
Neil deGrasse Tyson
Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson made an appearance backstage as part of a joke about being an interdimensional wormhole.
Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello, and Jon Batiste
At the end of the night, Colbert was joined on stage for a performance by musicians Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello, and Jon Batiste.
Paul McCartney as the final guest!
While being interviewed as the final guest, legendary singer-songwriter Paul McCartney presented Colbert with a framed photo from when The Beatles performed on the same stage for The Ed Sullivan Show.
Check out all of the episode photos below
Posted To:Stephen Colbert Television the late show with stephen colbert Tig Notaro Tim Meadows
