Stephen Colbert Reflects on the End of the ‘Late Show’ in Four Months: “It Really Hits Home for Me”
Stephen Colbert Reflects on the End of The Late Show Ahead of Finale
Stephen Colbert has expressed his emotions regarding the impending finale of The Late Show, which has been scheduled for May 21. During a recent appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers, Colbert shared his thoughts about the end of a significant chapter in his career.
“It feels real now,” Colbert stated, acknowledging the finality of the show’s conclusion. “It did not feel… I know it was real, but now, there are four months left.”
Colbert reflected on his experience hosting the show, emphasizing that his affection extended beyond the program itself to the colleagues he has worked alongside for years. “What I really love is the people I do it with,” he remarked, mentioning his shoemaker, Tom Purcell, whom he has known since 1988. “We’ve all been together forever.”
He continued, highlighting the importance of relationships over locations: “You can do comedy a lot of different places. There’s no place like the Ed Sullivan Theater, but it’s really the people. That’s really what I’ll miss more than anything.”
In July 2025, CBS confirmed that The Late Show would conclude its historic run in May 2026 at the end of the broadcast season. The network described Colbert as “irreplaceable” and announced its decision to retire the Late Show franchise at that time. “We are proud that Stephen called CBS home. He and the broadcast will be remembered in the pantheon of greats that graced late-night television,” CBS stated.
The cancellation of the show came amid Skydance’s acquisition of Paramount. Colbert previously referred to a settlement between CBS, his network’s parent company, and Donald Trump as a “big fat bribe.” The merger is expected to close a month after the show’s end was confirmed.
As the finale approaches, Colbert is poised to leave a lasting legacy in late-night television, marked by memorable moments and an enduring camaraderie with his team.
