Colbert hosts "The Late Show" one last time tonight as franchise ends
"The Late Show" host Stephen Colbert is marking the end of an iconic late-night franchise on CBS.
www.cbsnews.comShort answer: Stephen Colbert’s final episode of The Late Show aired in May 2026, with CBS confirming the show would end that season and Colbert bidding farewell to the franchise.[5][6][10]
Overview
- What happened: CBS announced in 2025 that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert would end in May 2026, retiring the The Late Show franchise and concluding Colbert’s run after about a decade at the desk.[6][5]
- Final week: The finale featured high-profile guests and retrospective moments; the penultimate and final episodes included appearances and segments that honored Colbert’s tenure, with outlets noting the extended finale and secrecy around the exact guest list until close to air.[2][5]
- Aftermath and context: CBS framed the cancellation as a financial decision amid broader late-night advertising pressures, though reports and commentary varied on whether politics or other factors also influenced the decision. Colbert himself acknowledged plans and discussed what might come next after the show’s end.[10][5][6]
Notable details about the finale
- Runtime and guests: The finale was described as an extended episode with a final lineup of guests and a long-form farewell; specific guest details were teased in the run-up and highlighted by media outlets close to air dates.[2][5]
- Final moments: The show closed out with Colbert’s signature segments and reflections on the program’s legacy, as part of the televised send-off that marked the end of the long-running late-night franchise.[5][2]
What’s next for Colbert
- Public statements: In the lead-up to and following the finale, Colbert discussed possibilities for his next steps and dispelled some online rumors about immediate plans, emphasizing that he would pursue opportunities after The Late Show ends.[10]
- Industry reaction: The industry reflected on Colbert’s impact on late-night television as CBS prepared to retire the franchise, noting the significant shift in the late-night landscape after the show’s conclusion.[2][5]
If you’d like, I can pull together a concise timeline of key moments from the final weeks or compile a quick list of notable guests and performance highlights from the finale. I can also provide a timeline with citations to the sources I used.