Stephen Colbert To Air Final CBS Late Show Episode.
NEW YORK — Stephen Colbert aired the final episode of CBS’s The Late Show on May 21, ending his 11-year run as host of the popular late-night television program.
The American comedian, writer, and TV host Stephen Colbert aired the final episode of CBS’s The Late Show on May 21, 2026.
He is best known for hosting the Comedy Central News Satire Show The Colbert Report from 2005 to 2014 before taking over The Late Show in 2015.
Over the years, Colbert’s contributions to television and comedy earned him 11 Primetime Emmy Awards, two Grammy Awards, and three Peabody Awards. The conclusion of The Late Show marks the end of a significant chapter in Colbert’s long and influential broadcasting career.
Stephen Colbert hosted the show for 11 years after succeeding David Letterman in 2015.
The show has had many followers over the years, and news of its cancellation generated significant reaction on social media. Some speculated that it was a political move, citing Colbert’s criticism of Paramount’s recent settlement with President Donald Trump. However, CBS stated that ending the show was purely a financial decision.
Fellow late-night host Jimmy Kimmel also reacted to the announcement, voicing his support for Colbert.
With Colbert’s show coming to its tail-end, there have been changes in the late-night television lineup. CBS announced that Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen would take over Colbert’s 11:35 P.M. time slot.
Allen, known as a television producer, comedian, and media entrepreneur, is the founder of Allen Media Group.
The Comics Unleashed show will differ from late-night shows as it will feature comedians in discussions rather than the political satire commonly associated with traditional late-night talk shows.
During an interview with Deadline, CBS said:
“We are proud to partner with Byron Allen on a new business and programming model for late night that proactively addresses a network need part that was cost prohibitive to continue with this timeline by Model. We have shifted an hour that was losing roughly 40 million US dollars annually to 15 US dollars million in profits.”