Stephen Colbert is set to bring The Late Show to a close with an extended final episode. The additional runtime sets the stage for a sendoff that reflects his 10 years at the desk.
Stephen Colbert’s Late Show finale will be longer than usual
Stephen Colbert’s final bow as host of The Late Show will unfold across an expanded last episode, giving his decade-long tenure the unhurried farewell it deserves.
CBS is promoting Thursday’s finale as an “extended Late Show series finale,” signaling that Colbert’s last episode will exceed the program’s standard hour (via Entertainment Weekly). The network, however, has not announced the exact runtime yet.
Moreover, the guest lineup for Colbert’s final Late Show episode remains unannounced. Jon Stewart, Steven Spielberg, David Byrne, and Bruce Springsteen are expected to appear in the days leading up to Thursday. But CBS has not confirmed who will join Colbert in the Ed Sullivan Theater for the last broadcast.
According to Variety, the final episode of Stephen Colbert’s Late Show will reportedly tape earlier that day and air later that night, followed by a large after-party at a nearby venue. The invitations say “That’s a WRAP! (PARTY)” and call for a “Fired & Festive!” dress code. Along with other celebrities, the stars appearing in the finale are likely to be on the event’s guest list.
In July 2025, CBS said The Late Show would end its 33-year run in May 2026 at the close of the broadcast season, retiring both Colbert’s program and the entire franchise. The network stated the cancellation was “purely a financial” decision, unrelated to the show’s ratings, content, or other Paramount issues.
Colbert’s last episode will run without late-night competition. Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon are taking Thursday off, with ABC and NBC airing reruns instead of new shows.
The talk show’s series finale will air on May 21, at 11:35 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.
Originally reported by Sibanee Gogoi on Mandatory.
