Stephen Colbert concluded his tenure as host of The Late Show on May 22, 2026 [1], ending the series with a sequence of musical performances.

The finale marks the end of an era for one of the most prominent fixtures in late-night television. By bringing together legendary musicians and the entire production staff, the episode served as a definitive closing chapter for Colbert's leadership of the program.

The celebration began with a performance of the 1977 song “Jump Up.” This number featured Colbert, Louis Cato, Jon Batiste, and Elvis Costello [1]. The collaboration blended the host's energy with the songwriting of Costello and the musical direction of the show's core performers.

Following that performance, the finale transitioned into a larger ensemble piece. Paul McCartney joined The Great Big Joy Machine and the entire staff of The Late Show to perform the Beatles classic “Hello Goodbye” [1]. The performance utilized the full scale of the CBS Studio in New York City, transforming the set into a collective farewell.

This sequence of songs acted as a swan song for the production, utilizing a mix of rock and roll and pop standards to signal the end of the broadcast. The inclusion of McCartney and Costello provided a bridge between the show's comedic roots and its deep appreciation for musical history.

The broadcast concluded on Friday, May 22, 2026 [2], bringing a close to the specific iteration of the show led by Colbert. The event was designed to sign off the series through a high-energy celebration of the people who worked behind the scenes and the artists who appeared on the stage.

“Stephen Colbert concluded his tenure as host of The Late Show on May 22, 2026.”

The conclusion of Colbert's tenure represents a significant shift in the late-night landscape. By choosing a musical finale featuring global icons like Paul McCartney, the production emphasized the cultural intersection of politics, comedy, and art that defined the show's run. This transition leaves a vacancy in the high-profile CBS slot during a period of evolving viewer habits and changing formats for nocturnal variety programming.