David Letterman and Stephen Colbert threw Late Show set furniture from the roof of the Ed Sullivan Theatre in New York City on Thursday, May 14, 2026 [1].
The stunt marks a symbolic transition between the two hosts during the final week of The Late Show. By reprising a classic bit from Letterman's own tenure, the event serves as a definitive send-off for the program's presence at the historic venue.
Letterman, 79, joined Colbert, 62, for the rooftop appearance [2]. The pair targeted CBS property, with reports indicating the furniture was launched off the roof [3] and, in some instances, specifically onto the CBS logo [4].
The act of destroying set pieces was a nod to the irreverent style that defined Letterman's career. The rooftop stunt occurred as part of the farewell festivities for the series, blending the legacy of the previous host with the current era's conclusion.
This appearance was described as a defiant final act for Letterman at the theater. The event took place on May 14, 2026 [2], as the production prepared to close out its final broadcasts. The furniture toss provided a visual bookend to the show's history at the Ed Sullivan Theatre, emphasizing a spirit of chaos over corporate formality.
“The pair targeted CBS property, with reports indicating the furniture was launched off the roof.”
The collaboration between Letterman and Colbert represents a rare bridge between two different eras of late-night television. By destroying the physical set of the show, the hosts are signaling the end of a specific institutional chapter for CBS and the Ed Sullivan Theatre, prioritizing a legacy of comedic disruption over the preservation of corporate assets.
