The latest installment of CBS’s highly acclaimed program, “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” concluded its final episode on Thursday night, boasting an extended runtime of one hour and 17 minutes. The farewell episode was packed with numerous celebrity appearances, culminating in a special send-off from none other than Paul McCartney.
Emotions ran high as Colbert kicked off the show by expressing gratitude to the live audience at New York’s Ed Sullivan Theater and viewers tuning in from home. He affectionately referred to “The Late Show” as “the joy machine,” commending the dedicated staff and acknowledging the significant role of the audience in the show’s success. Bandleader Louis Cato described the bond with viewers as a “reciprocal emotional relationship.”
In his traditional sign-off, Colbert bid farewell with his iconic phrase, “Have a good show. Thanks for being here, and let’s do it, y’all!” The theme song played as the show wrapped up.
Throughout the evening, a parade of celebrities made cameo appearances, each humorously convinced they were the final guest, only to discover otherwise. From Bryan Cranston’s theatrical exit to Paul Rudd’s quirky gift of six bananas, the star-studded lineup added a touch of humor and nostalgia to the farewell episode.
The pinnacle of the evening came with the appearance of music legend Paul McCartney, who presented Colbert with a signed Beatles portrait. McCartney fondly recalled his past performances at the Ed Sullivan Theater with The Beatles over six decades ago, creating a poignant full-circle moment.
In a whimsical turn of events, technical glitches were playfully attributed to an “interdimensional wormhole” that made appearances on the set. The show featured fun interactions with astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and culminated in a sketch involving late-night colleagues, hinting at the interconnected nature of their programs.
As the show reached its climax, Colbert and his crew delivered a heartfelt musical performance, with McCartney leading the rendition of “Hello, Goodbye.” The cast and crew joined in the spirited celebration, embodying the essence of the “joy machine” spirit that Colbert cherished.
The grand finale saw Colbert symbolically shutting down the lights of the Ed Sullivan Theater with McCartney, culminating in a surreal moment where the theater was transformed into a snow globe before being playfully explored by Colbert’s dog, Benny.
The final episode marked the end of Colbert’s remarkable 11-year tenure on “The Late Show,” amid speculation surrounding the show’s cancellation and potential underlying motives. Despite the ongoing debates, the farewell episode served as a fitting tribute to Colbert’s legacy, leaving viewers with a mix of nostalgia and anticipation for what lies ahead in late-night television.
Moving forward, CBS will introduce a new program, “Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen,” to fill the void left by “The Late Show” in the coveted 11:35 p.m. ET time slot, marking a new chapter in late-night programming.