Stephen Colbert marked the end of his time in The late show with an unforgettable musical performance.
On the night of Thursday, May 21, the acclaimed television host said goodbye to the longtime show in his last broadcast on CBS.
Filmed at the historic Ed Sullivan Theater in Manhattan, New York, the final episode of The last show with Stephen Colbert was packed with heartfelt tributes, celebrity cameos and musical performances.
Among others, the American comedian and writer led a stirring sing-along of a Beatles classic with the iconic band’s lead vocalist, Paul McCartney.
Also accompanied by Elvis Costello and Jon Batiste in the final moments of the show, Colbert and McCartney drove the live audience wild with the hello goodbye interpretation.
For the uninitiated, the 62-year-old host’s latest show comes nearly a year after he announced on the July 17, 2025, episode that The late show was coming to an end after more than 30 years.
Notably, CBS called the move “a purely financial decision in a challenging late-night context.”
Colbert was best known for hosting the news satire show Comedy Central. The Colbert Report from 2005 to 2014, before taking over David Letterman’s CBS talk show in 2015.
