Colbert hosts "The Late Show" one last time tonight as franchise ends
"The Late Show" host Stephen Colbert is marking the end of an iconic late-night franchise on CBS.
www.cbsnews.comStephen Colbert’s final episode of The Late Show aired on May 21, 2026. The announcement followed CBS’s decision, described as financial, to end the long-running franchise.
Key points from recent coverage:
- The finale featured a high-profile string of guests and an extended runtime, signaling a commemorative send-off for the show.[2][3]
- CBS stated the cancellation was not due to content or performance, but as a financial decision in a challenging late-night landscape.[3][4][5]
- The final weeks included notable appearances and moments such as Jon Stewart, Steven Spielberg, Bruce Springsteen, and the recurring “Colbert Questionert” segment, with the host reflecting on the show’s era and his own plans afterward.[2]
If you’d like, I can pull up a concise timeline of the finale week, list the guests, or provide a quick summary of critical reactions from media outlets. I can also look for statements from CBS or Colbert about what might come next for him. Please tell me which you’d prefer.