Stephen Colbert has officially confirmed that the final episode of The Late Show will air on May 21, marking the end of a significant era in late-night television. Colbert shared the emotional news during his appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers, stating, “It feels real now,” as he reflected on the upcoming conclusion of his show after a decade on air.
With just four months left, the finality of the situation is sinking in for the 61-year-old host. Colbert expressed that what he will miss most are the relationships and camaraderie with the staff, many of whom he has worked alongside throughout his career. He fondly remarked, “You can do comedy in a lot of different places, but there’s no place like the Ed Sullivan Theater.”
The decision to conclude The Late Show comes after CBS announced in July 2025 that the network would be moving away from late-night programming altogether. Colbert shared this news during a heartfelt monologue, expressing his dismay at the cancellation, which he later addressed more critically in an episode following a controversial settlement made by Paramount, the network’s parent company, with former President Donald Trump.
Colbert’s impact on the late-night scene has been profound, as he has led The Late Show to be the number one late-night program for nine consecutive seasons. CBS emphasized that the cancellation was purely financial and not a reflection of the show’s quality or performance, praising Colbert and his team for their outstanding contributions to late-night television.
The Late Show franchise originally launched in 1993 with David Letterman, and Colbert took over in 2015 after Letterman’s retirement. As the series prepares for its final curtain call, fans and colleagues alike are reflecting on the significant influence Colbert has had on popular culture and the world of comedy. This concluding chapter brings both a sense of nostalgia and recognition of the monumental achievements and memorable moments shared over the years.