In The Late Show’s melancholy, sci-fi finale, Stephen Colbert broke the comedy-variety-talk continuum
Stephen Colbert hosted the final episode of The Late Show, marking the end of the CBS franchise. The show featured a mix of nostalgia and melancholy, with Colbert reflecting on his role in the comedy-variety-talk continuum. The finale included surprise guest Paul McCartney and a sci-fi themed segment that symbolized the show's cancellation despite its popularity.
- ▪The Late Show's final episode aired on CBS, concluding a franchise that began in 1993.
- ▪Stephen Colbert's farewell included a mix of humor and reflection on the show's impact.
- ▪Paul McCartney made a surprise appearance, reminiscing about his first visit to America on The Ed Sullivan Show.
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| Original publisher | The Globe and Mail |
| Canonical URL | https://www.theglobeandmail.com/culture/film-and-tv/television/article-stephen-colbert-late-show-finale-may-21-2026/ |
| Publication time | Fri, 22 May 2026 09:44:53 +0000 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-22T09:52:01.293Z |
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Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Open this photo in gallery:Stephen Colbert, seen on his set in New York on May 6, hosted his final episode Thursday night.Scott Kowalchyk/The Associated PressShareSave for laterPlease log in to bookmark this story.Log InCreate Free AccountEd Sullivan. Samantha Bee. Arsenio Hall. Johnny Carson. Chelsea Handler. Trevor Noah. Jay Leno. Joan Rivers. Robin Thede. Dick Cavett. Jack Paar. Steve Allen. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’s final episode opened with an introduction cobbled together from clips of these and other past and present American television late-night and variety show hosts dating back three quarters of a century.In what was also the series finale for CBS’s The Late Show franchise altogether (RIP: 1993-2026), Stephen Colbert humbly positioned himself as just another host in…
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