Stephen Colbert to Exit ‘The Late Show’ With Star-Studded Final Weeks
Stephen Colbert is preparing for his final curtain call on CBS. As The Late Show approaches its series finale on May 21, the program is leaning into its legacy, scheduling a lineup of late-night royalty and long-time favorites to send the host off in style.
A Heavy-Hitting Guest Lineup
The final stretch of the show features a series of high-profile appearances designed to celebrate Colbert’s tenure. One of the most anticipated moments will occur on Thursday, May 14, when David Letterman returns to the stage. Letterman, who originally launched The Late Show in 1993 before passing the torch to Colbert in 2015, has made only one other appearance on the program since his departure in 2023.
The celebrations begin earlier in the week on Monday, May 11, with a reunion of “Strike Force Five.” The group—comprised of active late-night hosts Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, and John Oliver—previously teamed up for a 2023 podcast to support striking writers. Kimmel’s appearance is timed with his presence in town for Disney’s upfront presentation on Tuesday.
Other scheduled guests include Late Show staples Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Tom Hanks. Former President Barack Obama, who appeared earlier in the week, is set to participate in “The Colbert Questionert” on Wednesday.
Controversy Surrounding the Cancellation
While the finale is celebratory, the circumstances leading to the end of the show have been fraught with tension. CBS canceled The Late Show in a “stunning and surprise move” last summer. This decision has not sat well with everyone associated with the program.
In an interview earlier this week, David Letterman did not mince words regarding the network’s handling of the situation, calling CBS executives “lying weasels” concerning the decision to cancel the series.
Colbert’s Reflections on the End
In a cover story for The Hollywood Reporter’s New York issue, Colbert opened up about the immediate aftermath of the cancellation. He revealed that his fellow late-night hosts were among the only people he wanted to speak with after the news broke.
Colbert recalled a series of rapid-fire exchanges via text after his on-air announcement. Jimmy Kimmel reportedly joked, “That’s a hell of an Emmy campaign,” to which Colbert replied, “Busted.” Jon Stewart also reached out with a bewildered “Whaaaaat?”, prompting Colbert to respond, “Right back at you, buddy.”
The emotional weight of the moment was evident; Colbert described handing his phone to his wife, Evie, and asking her, “Please don’t let me have this for several days.”
- Finale Date: May 21
- May 11: “Strike Force Five” reunion (Fallon, Kimmel, Meyers, Oliver)
- May 14: David Letterman returns to the show he launched in 1993
- Notable Guests: Former President Barack Obama, Tom Hanks, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus
- Context: The show was canceled by CBS in a surprise move last summer
The Legacy of a Late-Night Era
Colbert’s departure marks the end of a significant chapter in late-night television. Beyond the guest appearances, Colbert also participated in a video answering questions from a wide array of current and former hosts, including Jay Leno, further cementing the communal bond between the industry’s biggest personalities.
As May 21 approaches, the industry awaits the final episode of a show that navigated a turbulent political landscape and maintained its position as a cornerstone of CBS’s programming for over a decade.