Additional Coverage:
- CBS delivers brutal parting blow to Colbert as they promote show replacement during break (themirror.com)
CBS marked the end of an era with a pointed farewell to Stephen Colbert on May 22, as the late-night host delivered his final episode of The Late Show. At 62, Colbert closed out his tenure with a star-studded lineup, including actor Bryan Cranston, 70, and comedian Jon Stewart, 63. The finale culminated in a memorable performance by music icon Paul McCartney, 83, who sang “Hello Goodbye” following a compelling last interview.
However, the network’s commercial break told another story. Viewers were quickly reminded that Byron Allen’s Comics Unleashed would take over the coveted 11:35 p.m. slot starting that same night.
The promo featured Allen, 65, grinning in a velvet tuxedo jacket, accompanied by a persistent laugh track looping throughout. The ad closed with bold lettering announcing the premiere date and time, set against the backdrop of a rising sun illuminating a tall building-a clear signal of the new chapter ahead.
Colbert’s emotional farewell began with a reflective monologue from the iconic Ed Sullivan Theater. “Tonight is our final broadcast from the Ed Sullivan Theater,” he announced, only to be met with boos from the crowd.
Waving off the heckling, Colbert reminded them, “No, no! We were lucky enough to be here the last 11 years.”
The audience responded with applause as he emphasized, “All right! You can’t take this for granted.”
He paid tribute to the theater’s rich history, recalling, “The Beatles made their American debut here!” and quipped with his signature humor, “Backstage, Elvis used the bathroom here and didn’t die.” Colbert expressed gratitude for the many memorable moments and segments the theater had hosted during his run.
The decision to end The Late Show was announced by CBS and its parent company Paramount in July 2025, bringing the long-standing franchise to a close. Despite persistent public pressure from former President Donald Trump, CBS maintained that the cancellation was “purely a financial decision.” The network clarified that the choice was “not related in any way to the show’s performance, content, or other matters happening at Paramount.”