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May 22, 2026
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America bids farewell to Stephen Colbert's Late Show

AI Summary
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert aired its final episode on Thursday, marking the end of an era in late-night television. The show, which started in 2015, was cancelled by CBS last year, reportedly due to financial reasons, but many believed it was a result of Colbert's criticism of Donald Trump.

The Final Episode of The Late Show

Celebrities, politicians, and New Yorkers paid their respects to Stephen Colbert as the Late Show aired its final episode on Thursday. The long-running chat show, which started back in 2015, was cancelled last year by CBS, purportedly because of a financial decision. But many believed it was a result of the network's increasing closeness with Donald Trump, who Colbert regularly criticised.

A Bittersweet Goodbye

Last night's episode saw the host bid an emotional farewell with the help of celebrity guests including Paul McCartney, Paul Rudd, Ryan Reynolds, and Bryan Cranston. "We love doing the show for you but what we really love is doing the show with you," he said to the audience at home. Colbert hosted more than 1,800 episodes of the Late Show, taking over the mantle from David Letterman.

Tributes from Around the World

Former president Joe Biden, who had previously guested on the show, also joined the chorus this week with a tribute on Instagram. "There aren't many who can make people think and laugh at the same time," he wrote. "For years, Stephen brought wit, heart, and honesty to late night television. America could always count on a laugh – and sometimes a needed reality check. Congrats on an incredible run, my friend."

The Impact of Colbert's Comedy

Jane Fonda was among celebrities featured in a video put together by her newly relaunched Committee for the First Amendment. "He made us laugh and he never flinched," the Oscar-winning actor said. "We've watched this administration suppress dissent repeatedly." Colbert already has his next gig lined up with the long-term JRR Tolkien fan set to co-write a new Peter Jackson-produced film tentatively titled The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past.

The Future of Late-Night Television

The Late Show is being replaced by Comics Unleashed, an unscripted comedy series from comedian and media mogul Byron Allen. The entire set from the show is being donated to the Museum of Broadcast Communications in Chicago.