Stephen Colbert Hosts Final Episode of 'The Late Show' After 11 Seasons
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Stephen Colbert will host the final episode of 'The Late Show' on May 21, 2026, ending an 11-season run on CBS. The network cited economic reasons for the cancellation last summer. Colbert's tenure included notable interviews, awards, and a period of remote broadcasting during the pandemic.
Facts First
- Stephen Colbert's final show airs May 21, 2026, concluding an 11-season run.
- CBS canceled the show for economic reasons, with the time slot going to Byron Allen's 'Comics Unleashed'.
- Colbert won two Emmys and a Peabody Award during his time hosting the show.
- The show broadcast without a studio audience for 15 months during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Colbert is co-writing a new 'Lord of the Rings' movie following the show's end.
What Happened
Stephen Colbert will tape and air the final episode of 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York. CBS announced the cancellation of the show last summer, citing economic reasons. The program, which Colbert began hosting on September 8, 2015, will have run for eleven seasons and more than 1,800 episodes. The 11:35 p.m. time slot will be filled by 'Comics Unleashed', a talk show hosted by Byron Allen that has stated it will avoid politics.
Why this Matters to You
Late-night television is losing a prominent voice, which may change the tone and topics of your nightly entertainment options. The shift to a new, explicitly apolitical program could alter the landscape of network talk shows. For fans, Colbert's move to co-write a 'Lord of the Rings' movie might offer a new creative project to follow.
What's Next
Colbert's final show will feature a performance by singer Andra Day and an after-party with a 'Fired & Festive!' dress code. Following the finale, competing networks NBC and ABC will air reruns of their late-night shows hosted by Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel, respectively, on Thursday night instead of new episodes. Colbert is scheduled to co-write a new 'Lord of the Rings' movie, a project he reportedly pitched before the show's cancellation.