Stephen Colbert's 'The Late Show' Ends Its 11-Year Run on CBS
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Stephen Colbert will host the final episode of 'The Late Show' on Thursday, May 21, 2026, concluding an 11-season run. CBS announced the cancellation last summer, citing economic reasons, and has leased the time slot to Byron Allen's apolitical talk show 'Comics Unleashed'. The final week has featured notable guests and performances, including Bruce Springsteen and a reunion with Jon Stewart.
Facts First
- Stephen Colbert's 'The Late Show' ends its 11-season run with a final episode airing May 21, 2026.
- CBS cancelled the show last summer for economic reasons, leasing the 11:35 p.m. slot to Byron Allen's 'Comics Unleashed'.
- The final week featured high-profile guests including Bruce Springsteen, Jon Stewart, and Robert De Niro.
- Colbert is co-writing a new 'Lord of the Rings' movie, a project he pitched before the show's cancellation was announced.
- Competing networks will air reruns of 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' and 'The Tonight Show' on the night of Colbert's finale.
What Happened
Stephen Colbert will tape and air the final episode of 'The Late Show' on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City. CBS announced the show's end in July, citing economic reasons after 11 seasons and more than 1,800 episodes. The network has leased the 11:35 p.m. time slot to media entrepreneur Byron Allen for his talk show 'Comics Unleashed', which Allen says will avoid politics. The show's final week has included a performance by Bruce Springsteen, a reunion with former 'Daily Show' colleague Jon Stewart, and a segment with David Letterman where furniture was thrown off the theater's roof.
Why this Matters to You
If you are a late-night viewer, your options are changing. The 11:35 p.m. slot on CBS will soon feature a new, explicitly apolitical talk show, which may alter the network's late-night tone. For fans of Colbert's brand of political satire and celebrity interviews, that specific voice is leaving the air. The shift reflects broader economic pressures in the television industry that could lead to further changes in programming you watch. You may also see Colbert in a new creative role, as he is co-writing a 'Lord of the Rings' movie.
What's Next
'The Late Show' series finale will air on CBS at 11:35 p.m. on Thursday, May 21. The guests for the finale have not been disclosed. Following the taping, an after-party with a 'Fired & Festive!' dress code will be held at a nearby event space. 'Comics Unleashed' with Byron Allen is set to take over the time slot, which could happen as soon as the following week. Colbert's next major project appears to be co-writing a 'Lord of the Rings' movie with his son, a script he pitched before the show's cancellation.