Stephen Colbert’s final “Late Show” aired Thursday, May 21, in New York’s Ed Sullivan Theater—full of rapid-fire celebrity interruptions, late-night host cameos, and a closing performance by Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello, and Jon Batiste, with McCartney prese
Stephen Colbert walked into New York’s Ed Sullivan Theater for what he insisted would be an ordinary farewell episode. He even opened his monologue by saying he didn’t want to do anything “special,” aiming instead to honor the show’s legacy by showing everyone what they do best at “The Late Show.”
Then the surprise started—again and again—right while he was still talking.
The final episode of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” officially aired on Thursday night. May 21. after CBS canceled the series in July 2025. The cancellation came just days after Colbert criticized Paramount Global over its $16 million lawsuit settlement with Donald Trump. CBS has said the move was driven by financial pressures facing late-night television.
On the stage, the celebrity cameos turned Colbert’s carefully planned “normal episode” into something far less contained.
Bryan Cranston arrived with a playful demand. He joked that he wanted to be the final guest, but Colbert had already booked someone else. Cranston then stormed out of the theater and said he was going to sell his ticket on the street.
A different kind of interruption followed as Paul Rudd cut in and asked when his interview would start. He said he wrote a very long poem he planned on reciting—and he was told he’s not the final guest.
Tim Meadows, seated in front of him in the audience, told Rudd he had to accept not being the final guest. Meadows said he thought it would be him too, and when he learned it wasn’t, he screamed out, “Screw you!”
Ryan Reynolds also stopped by as a surprise.
In the audience, comedian Tig Notaro made a cameo at one point, while comedian Kate Micucci was seen sitting behind her.
The show also rolled out the late-night crowd. John Oliver, Seth Meyers, Jimmy Kimmel, and Jimmy Fallon filmed a bit with Colbert to be shown during the final show.
Jon Stewart came through for the farewell as well.
Backstage, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson appeared as part of a joke about being an interdimensional wormhole.
And when it was time to reach the end of the night, Colbert closed with music and the final-guest moment everyone had been circling.
Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello, and Jon Batiste joined Colbert on stage for a performance at the end of the night.
Then Paul McCartney delivered the final-guest presentation. During his interview as the last guest ever, McCartney presented Colbert with a framed photo from when The Beatles performed on the same stage for “The Ed Sullivan Show.”
Stephen Colbert The Late Show Paul McCartney Ed Sullivan Theater Paul Rudd Tim Meadows Bryan Cranston Ryan Reynolds Tig Notaro Kate Micucci Jon Stewart Neil deGrasse Tyson Elvis Costello Jon Batiste