Stephen Colbert's Late Show finale features Sir Paul McCartney
Stephen Colbert ended the 33-year run of The Late Show on CBS with a surprise final guest: Sir Paul McCartney. The pair performed 'Hello, Goodbye' at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York, where The Beatles had appeared decades earlier. Colbert had hosted for 11 seasons, taking over from David Letterman, who launched the show in 1993. CBS cancelled the show in July 2024, citing financial reasons. The finale included cameos from Bryan Cranston, Paul Rudd, Ryan Reynolds, and a gag involving Pope Leo XIV. Letterman, Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and late-night peers paid tribute in prior episodes. Fans gathered outside the theater with signs, and some traveled from abroad to attend.
Key facts
- Final episode aired Thursday night at Ed Sullivan Theater, New York.
- Sir Paul McCartney was the last guest, performing 'Hello, Goodbye'.
- Colbert hosted 11 seasons since 2014, replacing David Letterman.
- CBS announced cancellation in July 2024, calling it a financial decision.
- Pope Leo XIV was teased as final guest but did not appear.
- Cameos included Bryan Cranston, Paul Rudd, Ryan Reynolds.
- Letterman returned as a guest the prior week.
- Fans gathered outside with signs like 'Thank You Stephen'.
Entities
Artists
- Stephen Colbert
- Sir Paul McCartney
- David Letterman
- Bryan Cranston
- Paul Rudd
- Ryan Reynolds
- Pope Leo XIV
- Steven Spielberg
- Tom Hanks
- Bruce Springsteen
- Jon Stewart
- Jimmy Fallon
- Jimmy Kimmel
- Seth Meyers
- John Oliver
Institutions
- CBS
- The Late Show
- Ed Sullivan Theater
- BBC
Locations
- New York
- United States
- Amsterdam
- Netherlands