Opening of the Final Episode
Stephen Colbert opened the last episode of The Late Show by acting as if it were a normal broadcast. He kept his usual monologue style and avoided treating it like a farewell at first. The show marked the end of a long 33 year journey for the late night program.
CBS had already confirmed the cancellation earlier, which set the stage for the final season hosted by Colbert after he took over from David Letterman in 2015.
Paul McCartney Delivers Emotional Closing Performance
The final guest turned out to be Sir Paul McCartney, who joined Colbert on stage for a memorable closing moment. Both reflected on The Beatles history at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York and their early US experiences.
They ended the show with a live performance of Hello, Goodbye. The studio crew and staff joined them on stage, turning the final moment into a full group farewell.
Celebrity Cameos and Surprise Moments
Throughout the episode, viewers saw several surprise appearances from well known actors including Bryan Cranston, Paul Rudd, and Ryan Reynolds. Each of them humorously tried to become the final guest but was told they were not selected.
Colbert also joked about wanting Pope Leo XIV as his last guest. The segment turned into a comedic moment when staff explained that the Pope had refused to appear because of missing items on his request list. The joke ended with a playful visual gag involving a dressing room door and a missing appearance.
A Look Back at The Show Legacy
The Late Show first launched in 1993 under David Letterman. Stephen Colbert later took over and hosted for 11 seasons. Over time, the show became a major part of American late night television.
The final episode highlighted both nostalgia and humor, staying true to the format while closing its long run with music, comedy, and guest appearances.
