Life will have to go on after The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and its home for the past 11 years, The Ed Sullivan Theater, were sucked into an interdimensional wormhole after the show’s final episode on Thursday.
Despite the sci-fi type conclusion, Colbert’s final episode was more of a real-world celebratory affair featuring celebrity cameos, musical numbers, and a sing-along featuring Late Show staff members.
Music icon Paul McCartney was Colbert’s surprise final guest, during which he reminisced about The Beatles’ first time in the U.S., specifically at the Ed Sullivan Theater in 1964. McCartney recounted that the group used to wear minimal makeup for their television appearances, but when they were taken to the makeup room for their first Ed Sullivan show appearance, they came out looking “bright orange.”
“That’s very popular in certain circles these days,” Colbert quipped.
The Late Show’s final episode steered clear of the politics that may have led to its cancellation. However, it did let off one final salvo towards CBS when the band played Peanuts music after Colbert spoke about how people were getting sued by the comic’s rights holder for playing the music without permission.
Stephen Colbert got his band to play licensed music during his final show so CBS would be sued for using the music illegally.
“Oh no! I hope this doesn’t cost CBS any money!” pic.twitter.com/mVfGJyS445
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) May 22, 2026
The show, for the most part, followed its regular weeknight format, but it also began with Colbert’s heartfelt words for the audience assembled at the theater and everyone watching at home.
“We were lucky enough to be here for the last eleven years,” Colbert said. “You can’t take this for granted.”
Celebrities who made special appearances throughout the final episode included Bryan Cranston, Paul Rudd, Tim Meadows, Tig Notaro, Ryan Reynolds, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, John Oliver, Jon Stewart, and Andy Cohen.
Towards the end of the show, the hosts of the other remaining late night TV shows gathered with Colbert in front of an interdimensional wormhole, which opened inside the Ed Sullivan Theater. They pondered the meaning of the wormhole’s presence as they encouraged Colbert not to get sucked into it, which he obliged to. Still, ultimately, the wormhole’s forces were too strong and sucked up Colbert, the staff, audiences, and the building housing the Ed Sullivan Theater.
The final block of the show featured two musical tributes. The first was a taped performance by Colbert, Louis Cato, Jon Batiste, and Elvis Costello performing Costello’s 1977 tune, “Jump Up.”
