Stephen Colbert Ends 11 Year ‘Late Show’ Run With Celebration Instead of Politics

Stephen Colbert bids farewell to more than a decade behind the desk at “The Late Show,” with a celebratory episode and star-studded lineup that stayed away from political commentary.

The 62-year-old delivered his final monologue from the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City on May 21, marking the end of an 11-year run on the “Late Show” franchise that began with David Letterman in 1993.

“This show, has been a joy for us to do for you,” Colbert said during the broadcast. “On night one of ‘The Colbert Report’ back in the day, I said ‘Anyone can read the news to you, I promise to feel the news at you.'”

“I realized pretty soon in this job that our job over here was different,” he continued. “We were here to feel the news with you. And I don’t know about you, but I sure have felt it.”

His final broadcast focused on comedy sketches, musical performances, and celebrity cameos from Paul McCartney, Bryan Cranston, Paul Rudd, Tim Meadows, Tig Notaro, and Ryan Reynolds.

Other famous guests that appeared throughout the week included Letterman himself, Michael Keaton, Jon Stewart, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Steven Spielberg, David Byrne, and Bruce Springsteen.

Colbert went on to express gratitude for viewers, staff members, and his team who helped shape the show for more than 1,800 episodes.

“The energy that you’ve given us, we sincerely need that to have done the best possible show we could have for you for the last 11 years,” he said. “You’ve given it to us. We’ve given it all right back to you.”

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump weighed in on the final broadcast with a string of social media posts. While Colbert refrained from getting political during the episode, the president and his administration has been a frequent target of Colbert’s criticism during his monologues over the years.

“Colbert is finally finished at CBS,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Amazing that he lasted so long!”

Last year, the comedian announced that CBS would be canceling the longtime program, citing financial pressure. The move came shortly after parent company Paramount agreed to a $16 million settlement in Trump’s lawsuit over the network’s “60 Minutes” interview in 2024. This happened while the company awaited approval for its planned merger with Skydance Media.