In a heartfelt cover story with PEOPLE, Stephen Colbert has opened up about how he plans to spend his first day after the final episode of *The Late Show with Stephen Colbert* airs. The show, which has been a staple of late-night television since its inception, will conclude on 21 May 2026, marking the end of an era.
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Colbert disclosed that he will be attending his brother Tommy’s wedding in Washington D.C. shortly after his show wraps up. The beloved host expressed his excitement, stating, “My [eight] brothers and sisters and [their] husbands and wives are coming to the last show, and then we’re all getting on the train the next day and going down to D.C. to go to Tommy’s wedding.” This familial celebration comes at a poignant moment for Colbert, as he navigates this significant transition in his career.
Describing his feelings about the wedding, Colbert shared, “It’s great, I love it. The next day’s focus is not on me, it’s on my brother. So much better. We’ll get drunk and we’ll sing.” The lively atmosphere of his family gatherings is something he cherishes, especially as he quipped about his family’s confidence in their singing abilities, particularly among the men.
Additionally, this week marks another proud moment for Colbert as his son, John, celebrates his college graduation. Reflecting on this, he remarked, “I’m glad a lot of the week is not about me, [it’s about] people I love more than I love me — and I’m a big fan of me.” This sentiment encapsulates the gradual shift in his priorities as he prepares to close the chapter on his late-night hosting career.
The conclusion of *The Late Show* is particularly notable as it has been a defining part of Colbert’s career for 11 seasons. The show initially launched in 1993, with David Letterman as the original host until 2015, before Colbert took the reins. CBS announced the show’s cancellation in July 2025, following controversies surrounding Colbert’s outspoken comments about the network’s parent company, Paramount, regarding a significant settlement involving former President Donald Trump.
In a candid moment during the interview, Colbert recounted receiving the news of the show’s cancellation while resting before a performance. He admitted, “I sat up and I said, ‘I’m sorry, I’m awake. Could you say that one more time?’” His reaction to the announcement highlighted the unexpected nature of the decision, which left him contemplating the appropriate time to step away from the spotlight.
Reflecting on his lengthy tenure, Colbert expressed philosophical thoughts about the future, stating, “You can’t do this forever. You have to think about, well, when is the right time to end your tenure?” Although he had not anticipated such a quick end to his show, he acknowledged that perhaps it had been for the best, suggesting, “CBS saved my life because it takes a lot of bone marrow to do the show every day.”
Looking ahead, Colbert remains uncertain about what his next steps will be following the show’s conclusion, although he mentioned an ongoing project regarding *The Lord of the Rings*, which he has been working on with his son, Peter. The concept had been in development long before the announcement of the cancellation, he noted. “I’ve been working on it with my son since COVID actually, and then working on it with Peter Jackson and Philippa Boyens and Fran Walsh for almost two years now,” he explained.
As he approaches the final episode, Colbert has remained largely focused on the task at hand, stating, “There’s so much to think about to do the show. So, I don’t have much better of an answer than most college seniors do, which is I’ve got to finish this first, because it takes almost the entirety of my brain to do this show.”
The last instalment of *The Late Show with Stephen Colbert* will be broadcast on 21 May at 11:35 p.m. ET on CBS. As viewers prepare for this farewell, Colbert’s reflections provide a glimpse into both his personal life and his professional journey over the years. For further insights into Stephen Colbert’s life and his future plans, fans can refer to the latest issue of PEOPLE magazine.