Stephen Colbert’s final stretch on The Late Show unfolded as a star-studded farewell, packed with memorable moments and a sense of ceremony. The host’s last episode gathered a parade of guests who helped close out a long CBS chapter with warmth and humor.
Leading the pack was Paul McCartney, making his way back to the Ed Sullivan Theater for the sendoff. The Beatles icon has revisited the venue before, including a 2009 six‑song set above the marquee for a different show, and a 2019 appearance to promote a children’s book. His presence anchored the night and the crowd’s emotion.
Among the other luminaries showing up were Paul Rudd, Bryan Cranston and Ryan Reynolds, all contributing cameos to the final broadcast. The show also drew in Steven Spielberg, plus familiar faces like Jon Stewart and David Letterman, weaving a sense of late-night history into the moment.
Deadline reports that the taping included several cameos and that the program ran roughly 17 minutes longer than a standard hour. Music director Louis Cato and Colbert shared a notably moving moment at the end, described by a crew member as a reflection of leadership and teamwork behind the scenes.
Music also played a key role. Jon Batiste, the former Late Show bandleader, was understood to have performed during the program, underscoring the show’s long music tradition.
The scene outside the Ed Sullivan Theater matched the mood, with guards, a towering security setup and shielding curtains adding to the secrecy as the starry departures rolled out. Fans in the street cheered and occasionally booed in a mix of delight and impatience, while many left saying they felt moved by the farewell.
Colbert’s farewell week had already included notable appearances, from Bruce Springsteen to a broad roster that spanned Billy Crystal, Weird Al Yankovic, Josh Brolin, Martha Stewart, Jeff Daniels, Aubrey Plaza, James Taylor, Robert De Niro and John Dickerson. The finale is a milestone for a show launched in 1993, wrapping a widely watched CBS run.
The curtain falls on a night of sentiment and celebration, as Colbert and his team focused on delivering their best work to the end—without spectacle, but with affection for the audience and the program’s legacy.
The finale airs on CBS at 11:35 p.m. The chatter will carry on as the last credits roll and the theater doors clear out into the New York night.
Source: Original article
