Stephen Colbert signed off from The Late Show in unforgettable fashion, closing out his 11-year run with a star-packed final episode that leaned heavily into celebrity power and nostalgia.
The longtime host brought out an impressive lineup of A-list guests for his farewell night, including Paul McCartney, Bryan Cranston, Ryan Reynolds, Paul Rudd, Tim Meadows, Tig Notaro, John Oliver, Seth Meyers, Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, Andy Cohen, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and Elvis Costello, all appearing to send him off after more than a decade and 1,800 episodes.
In his opening monologue, Colbert reflected on what the show meant to him and his team, calling it “The Joy Machine,” while also looking back on his earlier Comedy Central days with The Colbert Report. He explained that his approach to comedy—“feeling the news” rather than just delivering it—remained central to his style throughout his late-night run.
Notably absent from the guest list was former President Donald Trump, a frequent target of Colbert’s political humor over the years.
Colbert closed the night by thanking his audience for their support and energy over the show’s long run, describing the experience as delivering “the best possible show we could have” for over 11 years before taking his final bow.#newsafro_
