Stephen Colbert reveals date of final Late Show broadcast
There are just four months left of Colbert's late night show
www.independent.co.ukStephen Colbert’s final Late Show broadcast aired on May 21, 2026.
Here’s a concise update and what to expect:
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Final episode details
- The Late Show with Stephen Colbert concluded with an extended farewell episode on May 21, 2026, marking the end of CBS’s longtime late-night franchise.[1][4]
- The network described the move as part of CBS/Paramount’s broader restructuring and retirement of the Late Show franchise, with Colbert’s tenure ending after 11 years as host.[4]
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Context and guests
- The finale was promoted as a special, extended farewell with a milestone send-off featuring tributes and appearances from colleagues and guests, following Colbert’s tenure since 2015.[3][4]
- Coverage noted industry reactions and reflections from peers as the Late Show era closed, with attention to how CBS and Paramount positioned the finale within broader corporate changes.[8][3]
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What comes next for Colbert
- In the wake of the finale, media discussions centered on Colbert’s next steps and potential future projects, as well as how CBS will fill the late-night void left by the franchise’s retirement.[3][8]
Illustration (example)
- If you’d like, I can summarize a quick timeline of notable moments from Colbert’s final season and finale guests, or pull quotes from key articles to give a sense of how the farewell was framed.
Citations
- The final date and confirmation of the finale: Independent article noting May 21 broadcast and CBS retirement rationale.[1]
- Finale specifics and framing within CBS/Paramount context: Hollywood Reporter and Entertainment Tonight summaries.[9][4]
- Live coverage and reactions around the finale: CNN and CBS News roundups.[7][8]