Stephen Colbert provided a behind-the-scenes tour of The Late Show set at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City.
The tour comes as Colbert prepares to end his tenure on the program. The showcase highlights the intersection of television production and historic preservation within one of the city's most famous studios.
In a collaboration with Architectural Digest, the tour explores the specific design details of the space. Colbert said the restored dome and the chandelier define the theater's aesthetic. The segment also reveals the presence of secret doors used for production movements, elements that are typically hidden from the viewing audience.
These architectural features serve as a backdrop for a career that has spanned 11 years [1]. The Ed Sullivan Theater remains a landmark of U.S. broadcasting, and the tour emphasizes the effort required to maintain the venue's historic integrity while meeting modern filming requirements.
The timing of this retrospective coincides with the conclusion of the show's current era. The Late Show finale is scheduled for Thursday, May 21, 2026 [2].
Colbert's walkthrough serves as a final tribute to the physical space that housed his nightly broadcasts. By focusing on the craftsmanship of the set, the tour documents the legacy of the theater's design alongside the legacy of the performer.
“The tour explores the specific design details of the space.”
The transition of The Late Show marks the end of a significant era in late-night television. By highlighting the architectural history of the Ed Sullivan Theater, the production frames Colbert's departure not just as a personnel change, but as the closing of a specific chapter in New York City's cultural and broadcast history.
