Stephen Colbert’s Last ‘Late Show’: Time, Guests, and How to Watch the Emotional Finale

After 11 seasons, “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” will air its final episode on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 11:35 p.m. ET/PT on CBS, marking both Colbert’s swan song and the official end of the Late Show franchise itself. CBS confirmed that no successor host will take over the storied time slot pioneered by David Letterman; instead, the network will slide the syndicated comedy panel “Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen” into the 11:35 p.m. window beginning May 22. What to expect on finale night • A star-packed couch: CBS promos tease appearances by long-time friend Jon Stewart, filmmaker Steven Spielberg and musical guest David Byrne during Colbert’s goodbye hour. • Farewell monologue: Insiders say Colbert will combine political punchlines with a heartfelt reflection on an era that spanned two presidential administrations and a pandemic. • Easter-egg callbacks: Producers have reportedly built in nods to popular recurring bits such as “Meanwhile,” the “Cartoon Donald Trump” sketches and Colbert’s viral COVID-era openings from his South Carolina home. • An emotional send-off from bandleader Louis Cato and The Late Show Band, who will close the show with a surprise anthem tied to Colbert’s Comedy Central roots. How to watch The finale airs live on CBS stations nationwide and streams simultaneously on Paramount+. Cord-cutters can also catch the episode next day on the network’s free CBS.com portal and via the CBS app. Why the show is ending CBS first shocked fans last July when it announced it would sunset both Colbert’s version and the entire Late Show brand in spring 2026, citing escalating production costs and shifting late-night viewing habits toward on-demand clips and social media highlights. Colbert, 62, later told audiences he learned of the decision only hours before breaking the news on air, quipping, “It turns out the last word in late night is… ‘goodnight.’” Colbert’s legacy in numbers • 1,500+ episodes produced since his 2015 debut. • Multiple Emmy wins, including three straight Outstanding Variety Series trophies (2021-2023). • Peak digital reach of 9 billion YouTube views, making Colbert the most-watched late-night host online for four consecutive years. What’s next for Colbert The comedian remains under overall deal with CBS Studios and is already developing an anthology political satire for Paramount+ alongside wife and executive producer Evie Colbert. He is also expected to expand his “Strike Force Five” live-tour concept into a podcast network. SEO quick answers • Date of Stephen Colbert’s last show: May 21, 2026. • Time: 11:35 p.m. ET/PT. • Channel/stream: CBS and Paramount+. • Replacement: “Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen.” Whether you’ve tuned in for Colbert’s incisive Trump-era takedowns or his trademark “truthiness,” Thursday’s broadcast promises to be a historic sign-off—and the final bellwether moment in the rapidly evolving world of late-night television.