Stephen Colbert’s long-running talk show, *The Late Show with Stephen Colbert*, is set to conclude after an impressive eleven seasons. The announcement of the show’s cancellation came in July 2025, marking the end of an era for late-night television on CBS. Colbert first shared the news with his audience during a taping, stating, “Next year will be our last season… The network will be ending the Late Show in May.”
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The host went on to clarify that there would be no replacement for the show. “It’s not just the end of our show, but it’s the end of The Late Show on CBS,” he remarked, expressing gratitude for the partnership he had enjoyed with the network throughout his tenure. Colbert described hosting the show as a “fantastic job” and promised that the final season would be filled with excitement and memorable moments.
Following Colbert’s announcement, CBS released a statement attributing the cancellation to financial reasons, citing a challenging environment for late-night programming. As the end of May approaches, audiences are preparing to bid farewell to Colbert and his team, with only a few episodes left.
The final episode is scheduled to air on May 21 at 11:35 p.m. ET. Although details about the last show were kept largely under wraps, the lead-up promises a star-studded finale. Notable guests will grace the stage in the final weeks, including late-night icons such as Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, and John Oliver, who are set to appear together on May 11.
Following this initial celebration of Colbert’s impact, fans can look forward to appearances from renowned actors Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Pedro Pascal, who will appear on the show the following Tuesday. The excitement continues with Tom Hanks joining Colbert on Wednesday, and the legendary David Letterman making a special guest appearance on Thursday.
As viewers prepare for the conclusion of Colbert’s show, questions arise about what will fill the late-night void thereafter. Starting May 22, Byron Allen’s *Comics Unleashed* will take over the time slot currently occupied by *The Late Show.* In a recent interview, Colbert expressed his support for Allen, stating, “God bless him,” and reminisced about their growing friendship. Colbert mentioned that he reached out to Allen to congratulate him on the new opportunity, highlighting their shared history in the comedy scene.
For those looking to catch the remaining episodes of *The Late Show with Stephen Colbert*, new episodes are broadcast weeknights on CBS and are also available the following day on Paramount+. While the series will soon come to a close, Colbert has hinted at future projects, including a new film set in the *Lord of the Rings* universe. Co-writing the script alongside his son and Philippa Boyens, who contributed to the original trilogy, he expressed excitement about the upcoming venture.
As the countdown to the final episode begins, *The Late Show with Stephen Colbert* leaves behind a significant legacy in late-night television. With numerous unforgettable moments, political commentary, and a host of celebrity interviews, Colbert’s show has maintained a prominent place in popular culture. Fans eagerly anticipate how Colbert will wrap up his run, reminiscing over the years of entertainment and laughter he has brought into their homes.