The long-running CBS late night franchise came to an end with what the host called a "normal" broadcast, but the surreal, Easter egg-filled program was stuffed with bold-faced names, with one key exception.

As the final curtain falls on "The Late Show," a brief history of the evolution of the late-night tradition and Stephen Colbert's satire.

"The Late Show" frontman Stephen Colbert will host the final edition of the 33-year-old US cultural institution on Thursday night, after it was cancelled by CBS as the network…

Stephen Colbert’s long run on “The Late Show” ends as he appears behind his CBS desk for the final time

Stephen Colbert's second-to-last \

CBS is ending the top-rated late night program despite its popularity.

The cancellation of the Late Show came days after Stephen Colbert criticized Paramount over a $16 million settlement with Trump

With a dash of sci-fi, Colbert ended his CBS late-night show with a powerful musical sendoff featuring Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello and Jon Batiste.

The Late Show aired its final episode on Thursday, bringing an end to Stephen Colbert’s decade-long run as host and the show’s 32-year run as CBS’s premier late-night talk show.

The special guests on the final 'Late Show with Stephen Colbert' included a Beatle, Jon Stewart, Ryan Reynolds, Tig Notaro, Paul Rudd and more.

Link to: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/22/arts/television/colbert-last-late-show.html?unlocked_article_code=1.kVA.GO3I.gVq9KeUrHEyM

Stephen Colbert is officially signing off and ending his 11-year run on \

The "Late Show" host was interrupted several times during his monologue by celebs hoping to be his final guest.

The long-running CBS late night franchise came to an end with what the host called a "normal" broadcast, but the surreal, Easter egg-filled program was stuffed with bold-faced…

Colbert took his final bow Thursday night as the long-running CBS show concluded after 33 years

Follow live updates about the final episode of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” at Ed Sullivan Theater as CBS cancels the long-running late-night program.

Colbert's last episode on "The Late Show" featured celebrity cameos, shots fired at CBS, and a Paul McCartney-sung farewell song.

The final episode of 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' with Paul McCartney as his last guest, was a letdown.

CBS and Paramount announced show’s controversial cancellation last year

The top-rated host signs off from CBS with a defiant farewell following a politically charged corporate axing.

Stephen Colbert signs off from ‘The Late Show’ with Paul McCartney, star cameos and sharp jabs at CBS and Donald Trump in a politically charged finale.