Jon Stewart has paid tribute to Stephen Colbert as the latter prepares to conclude his tenure on The Late Show this Thursday, May 21. In a heartfelt exchange during the episode aired on Tuesday, May 19, Stewart joined his former colleague to share both memories and words of encouragement ahead of Colbert’s departure from the Ed Sullivan Theater.
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In an amusing throwback, Colbert, 62, presented Stewart, 63, with a photo from their earlier days together. Stewart remarked with good humour that “one of us has not aged as well as the other,” a testament to their long-standing friendship. Stewart then praised Colbert’s response to the cancellation of The Late Show, highlighting his composure in contrast to how he handled the end of his own programme, The Jon Stewart Show, which concluded in 1995.
Reflecting on that experience, Stewart noted, “I was not a mature grown-up like you are, holding it together,” and reminisced about their last guest, the legendary David Letterman. He shared Letterman’s advice which resonated deeply: “Don’t confuse cancellation for failure,” yet jested that in their case, it was indeed a failure. This exchange underscored the unique pressures of late-night television and the challenges of facing cancellation.
Stewart took the moment to gift Colbert with something more than mere words. Acknowledging the effort he had put into the show, he presented two electric-lift recliners as a parting gift, stating that these chairs were fitting for the sacrifices Colbert had made throughout his career. When they settled into the chairs, Stewart quipped that he looked forward to watching “Matlock in this motherf—er,” evoking a laugh from the studio audience.
As the evening unfolded, Stewart surprised Colbert with a live performance by singer Andra Day, who delivered her uplifting track “Rise Up.” The emotional moment saw the two hosts holding hands while enjoying the song, blending nostalgia with a shared sense of accomplishment.
The conversation also turned more serious, as Stewart addressed some of the frustrations surrounding the cancellation of The Late Show. Colbert had announced the end of his show in July 2025, attributing the decision to financial constraints faced by CBS amid a challenging landscape for late-night television.
Colbert previously expressed his discontent with CBS’s parent company, Paramount, particularly regarding a controversial settlement of $16 million made to former President Donald Trump. The timing of this financial decision coincided with a merger involving Skydance, which required approval from the Trump administration, sparking outrage from Colbert.
Stewart acknowledged Colbert as a “tremendous human” and noted the breadth of his talents, recalling their shared history from comedy collaborations to writing. He articulated a sense of frustration at how political discourse has overshadowed more nuanced discussions, saying, “The ubiquitous bloviating of the commander in chief has defined who we are in opposition to him. And it’s just a ridiculous framing.”
With the finale approaching, Colbert reflected on his legacy and expressed simple aspirations for his audience. He stated, “I hope they laughed. I hope they felt better at the end of the day,” recognising the vital role his show played in providing a moment of respite at the end of viewers’ long days.
The final episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is set to air on Thursday at 11:35 p.m. ET on CBS, marking the end of an era in late-night television. As fans await Colbert’s farewell, his impact on the genre and the comedy landscape remains undeniable, leaving behind a legacy built on laughter, thoughtfulness, and camaraderie.