Stephen Colbert hosted the final episode of "The Late Show" on CBS on Thursday night, May 20, 2026 [2].
The conclusion of the series marks the end of a staple in U.S. late-night television and the end of Colbert's tenure as the program's host.
The series finale took place at the CBS Studio Center in New York City [1]. The broadcast served as the definitive conclusion for a program that ran for 33 years [1]. The finale featured Paul McCartney as the final guest of the series.
Colbert's departure closes a significant chapter in the history of the network's late-night programming. The show had become a central hub for political satire and celebrity interviews over the decades. By ending the series on May 20, 2026 [2], CBS brings a close to a franchise that spanned multiple eras of television consumption.
The production of the finale involved a gathering at the New York City studio to commemorate the show's longevity. The program's 33-year history [1] positioned it as one of the most enduring fixtures of the late-night format, surviving the transition from traditional broadcast dominance to the digital age.
While the network has not detailed immediate replacements for the time slot, the finale represents a pivot in how CBS approaches its evening entertainment. The event concluded with a final farewell from Colbert to his audience and staff at the CBS Studio Center [1].
“The series concluded after 33 years on the air.”
The end of 'The Late Show' signals a broader shift in the late-night television landscape, where traditional linear broadcast models are struggling to compete with short-form digital content and streaming. Colbert's exit and the cancellation of a 33-year-old institution suggest that networks are reconsidering the viability of the high-cost, nightly talk show format in favor of more flexible programming.
