Fans gathered outside the Ed Sullivan Theater in Manhattan on Thursday, May 20, 2026, for the series-final taping of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert [1, 2, 3].
The event marks the end of an era for late-night television after CBS announced the program would conclude following 11 seasons [4, 5].
Supporters lined up at 1697 Broadway to witness the final broadcast [1, 2, 3]. Many of those waiting in the rain had traveled from far distances to bid farewell to the host [2, 3]. Reports on the size of the crowd varied, with some sources stating hundreds of people lined up [2], while others indicated thousands of fans gathered [1].
The atmosphere outside the theater remained focused on the conclusion of the long-running series. The gathering served as a public send-off for Colbert, who has led the program through a decade of political and cultural shifts [1, 2].
Not all reactions to the finale were celebratory. Don Lemon criticized the host ahead of the final show, calling the situation a "spectacular example of a white man failing up" [6].
Colbert's final episode concludes a tenure defined by sharp political satire and high-profile celebrity interviews [5]. The theater, a landmark of New York City media, hosted the final recording as the show officially closed its doors after 11 seasons [4].
“Fans gathered in the rain outside New York’s Ed Sullivan Theater”
The conclusion of The Late Show reflects a broader shift in the late-night landscape, where traditional network talk shows face declining linear viewership and increasing competition from digital content. Colbert's 11-season run solidified the transition of the genre from general variety entertainment toward more pointed, politically driven commentary.
