Colbert Begins Final Week on Late Show

Stephen Colbert walked onto the “Late Show” stage this week for the last time as its host — and he did it laughing. With five episodes left before CBS pulls the plug on its 11:35 p.m. franchise, Colbert used his opening monologue to needle both the network and its parent company, Paramount, over a cancellation that has divided fans, colleagues, and industry watchers alike.

A Bittersweet Send-Off After Nearly a Decade at CBS

Colbert took over “The Late Show” from David Letterman in 2015 and built it into one of the most-watched programs in late night, known for its topical monologues and unapologetically political edge. That edge is now at the center of the debate over why the show is ending at all.

Why Is The Late Show Ending? Politics vs. Profits

CBS and Paramount maintain the cancellation is a financial decision, part of a broader retreat from expensive, low-margin late-night programming. Many fans and commentators aren’t convinced. They point instead to Colbert’s frequent criticism of President Trump as the more likely trigger, especially given the timing relative to Paramount’s corporate dealings.

Colbert has addressed the speculation directly rather than dodge it, telling his audience that “authoritarians don’t like anybody who doesn’t give them undue dignity.” He argued that comedians are anti-authoritarian by nature, and that those in power rarely enjoy being laughed at.

Letterman and Cooper Weigh In

The show’s history added extra weight to the farewell. David Letterman, who hosted the program for 22 years before handing it to Colbert, made a farewell visit and didn’t hide his frustration with the network’s decision, saying he had “every right to be pissed off.”

Colbert himself has taken a different tone. In a conversation with Anderson Cooper, he said he’d rather focus on appreciation than anger: “I’ve really liked working with CBS… I feel so much better to be ‘grateful for’ than to be ‘mad about.’” His stated priority now is the show’s staff, many of whom will be out of work once the final episode airs.

Final Week Lineup: Who’s Appearing

CBS has built the send-off week around a mix of nostalgia and star power, with a different theme for each remaining night.

Monday: The Best (and Worst) of Colbert

The week opened with a retrospective episode billed as the “worst of ‘The Late Show’ with Stephen Colbert” — a self-deprecating clip package mixed with previously unaired material.

Tuesday: David Byrne, Jon Stewart, and Steven Spielberg

Tuesday’s episode features a musical performance from David Byrne alongside Colbert, plus appearances from longtime friend Jon Stewart and filmmaker Steven Spielberg.

Wednesday: Bruce Springsteen and “The Colbert Questionert”

Wednesday brings a performance from Bruce Springsteen and a special edition of the show’s recurring interview segment, “The Colbert Questionert.”

Thursday: The Unannounced Finale

No guests or segments have been confirmed for Thursday’s final broadcast. CBS is keeping the closing episode a surprise — and rivals Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon are reportedly airing reruns that night, effectively clearing the field for Colbert’s last moment in the spotlight.

What’s Next for Colbert

Colbert hasn’t detailed his post-show plans in depth, but he’s said to be attached to write a new “Lord of the Rings” film — a project he’s described as personal, given his long-standing enthusiasm for J.R.R. Tolkien’s work. On a recent podcast, he put the moment in perspective: his son graduates college on the 18th, his show ends on the 21st, and his brother gets married on the 23rd — a stretch he called being “sandwiched between things that are, like, a little more important.”

What Replaces The Late Show?

CBS is filling the 11:35 p.m. slot with “Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen,” a rotating-panel comedy format built around universal, non-topical humor rather than nightly political commentary. Because the format leans on segments that can be replayed later, Allen says it’s a considerably cheaper show to produce — he’s pegged the savings at “approximately $150 million+ per year” compared with a traditional nightly monologue show.

Allen framed the shift bluntly: “We don’t need the politics. I don’t care who you vote for. I’m here to make people laugh.” Whether audiences follow him into that format — or stay loyal to the topical style Colbert built his reputation on — remains an open question for CBS’s late-night strategy going forward.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Stephen Colbert leaving The Late Show?

CBS and Paramount say the cancellation is a financial decision as the network scales back costly late-night programming. Many fans and observers believe Colbert’s frequent criticism of President Trump played a role, though the network has not confirmed that.

When is Stephen Colbert’s final episode of The Late Show?

Colbert’s last episode airs on Thursday of his final week, closing out a run that began in 2015 when he succeeded David Letterman.

Who are the guests during Colbert’s final week?

The farewell week includes appearances from David Byrne, Jon Stewart, Steven Spielberg, and Bruce Springsteen, alongside a retrospective clip episode. Thursday’s finale guest list has not been announced.

What show is replacing The Late Show on CBS?

CBS is replacing the program with “Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen,” a lower-cost, rotating-panel comedy format focused on non-political humor.

What will Stephen Colbert do after The Late Show ends?

Colbert has said little publicly about his next project, though he’s reportedly attached to write a new “Lord of the Rings” film, drawing on his longtime interest in J.R.R. Tolkien’s work.