The most recent episode of CBS’s program “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” concluded on Thursday night with an extended duration of one hour and 17 minutes, showcasing numerous celebrity appearances, including a farewell from Paul McCartney. Colbert, visibly moved, commenced the show by expressing his gratitude to the audience in New York’s Ed Sullivan Theater and those watching at home, referring to “The Late Show” as a source of joy and acknowledging the significance of the viewers in their accomplishments. Bandleader Louis Cato described the relationship as emotionally reciprocal. Colbert bid farewell with his customary sign-off: “Have a good show. Thanks for being here, and let’s do it, y’all!” leading into the theme song.
Celebrity guests made memorable appearances during the show. Bryan Cranston interrupted the opening monologue, Paul Rudd presented a lengthy poem and bananas, Tim Meadows recalled his improv days, Tig Notaro shared her love for historic events, Ryan Reynolds paid respects, and a segment with Pope Leo XIV ended humorously. The final guest, Paul McCartney, gifted Colbert a signed Beatles portrait, reminiscing about his past performances at the Ed Sullivan Theater.
A quirky interdimensional wormhole subplot unfolded during the show, featuring brief green blips leading to a playful encounter with astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. The storyline involved several late-night hosts, including Jon Stewart, Andy Cohen, and the “Strike Force Five” group, addressing the mysterious wormhole.
A musical interlude highlighted the show, featuring an acoustic performance of Elvis Costello’s “Jump Up” with guest appearances. The grand finale included a collective performance involving the entire crew and Colbert’s family, culminating in McCartney symbolically extinguishing the theater lights.
The show’s closure raised questions and controversy, as CBS announced the cancellation last summer due to financial reasons, sparking skepticism given Colbert’s prior criticism of the network. The finale marked the end of Colbert’s 11-year tenure, with CBS introducing a new program to replace “The Late Show” timeslot.
