The latest episode of CBS’s The Late Show with Stephen Colbert aired on Thursday night, running for one hour and 17 minutes. The finale was packed with celebrity appearances, including a special goodbye from Paul McCartney.
Emotionally, Colbert began the show by addressing the live audience at New York’s Ed Sullivan Theater and viewers at home, describing The Late Show as “the joy machine.” He expressed gratitude to the staff and emphasized the viewers’ importance in the show’s success.
Bandleader Louis Cato described the dynamic as a “reciprocal emotional relationship.”
Closing the show in his traditional manner, Colbert bid farewell with his iconic sign-off: “Have a good show. Thanks for being here, and let’s do it, y’all!”
The episode featured a plethora of celebrity cameos, each participating in a running joke about being the final guest. Bryan Cranston, Paul Rudd, Tim Meadows, Tig Notaro, and Ryan Reynolds were among those who made memorable appearances.
The highlight of the evening was Paul McCartney’s entrance, presenting Colbert with a signed Beatles portrait. McCartney reminisced about his past performances at the Ed Sullivan Theater with The Beatles over 60 years ago.
During the show, mysterious green blips appeared, leading to the discovery of an “interdimensional wormhole.” Colbert playfully interacted with the phenomenon alongside astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson.
The program also featured musical performances, including an acoustic rendition of Elvis Costello’s Jump Up with Costello, Cato, and former bandleader Jon Batiste.
The grand finale saw a heartwarming moment as everyone celebrated the spirit of the show before McCartney symbolically turned off the lights of the Ed Sullivan Theater.
The episode ended with a whimsical touch as the theater transformed into a snow globe and Colbert’s dog Benny playfully interacted with it, signaling the close of one chapter and the beginning of another.
The context surrounding the cancellation of The Late Show last summer by CBS, Colbert’s exit after an 11-year run, and the speculation over the reasons behind the decision were also addressed during the finale.
Starting Friday, CBS will introduce a new show, Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen, to replace the longstanding 11:35 p.m. ET slot previously occupied by The Late Show for over three decades.