Stephen Colbert bids farewell to The Late Show after 11 groundbreaking years
Stephen Colbert has hosted his final episode of The Late Show after nearly 11 years on air. The long-running CBS programme ended with a star-studded send-off, though the circumstances behind its cancellation remain a topic of debate. Colbert wrapped up his 1,800th episode with guests including Paul Rudd, Ryan Reynolds, Bryan Cranston, and Paul McCartney. The host kept the mood light, joking about his future plans—quipping that his next move involved 'drugs' and mentioning his work on an upcoming Lord of the Rings script. He also performed Hello, Goodbye alongside McCartney, who shared his early impression of America as 'the land of freedom, the greatest democracy.'
CBS officially blamed financial reasons for ending The Late Show. However, industry insiders suspect political factors influenced the decision. Colbert did not address the cancellation directly but took a swipe at Paramount, CBS’s parent company, for its $16 million settlement with Donald Trump. Throughout his tenure, he framed the show’s mission as processing the news alongside his audience. The final episode marked the end of an era for late-night television. Colbert’s departure leaves questions about the future of political satire on network TV. CBS has yet to announce a replacement for the long-running programme.
