The latest installment of CBS’s “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” wrapped up on Thursday evening, running for an extended duration of one hour and 17 minutes. The finale was packed with a plethora of guest appearances, including a special appearance by Paul McCartney.
Starting off on an emotional note, Colbert addressed the live audience at New York’s Ed Sullivan Theater and viewers watching from home, referring to “The Late Show” as “the joy machine.” He expressed gratitude towards the staff and emphasized the significance of the viewers in the show’s success. Bandleader Louis Cato described the relationship as emotionally reciprocal.
Concluding the show with his customary sign-off, Colbert said, “Have a good show. Thanks for being here, and let’s do it, y’all!” The familiar theme song then played as the show wrapped up.
The episode featured numerous standout moments during its final farewell. A lineup of celebrity cameos added to the excitement, with each guest believing they were the last to appear and reacting humorously upon realizing they were not. From Bryan Cranston’s impromptu interruption to Paul Rudd’s banana gift, the guests added charm to the show.
The highlight of the evening was the appearance of music legend Paul McCartney as the final guest. McCartney presented Colbert with a signed Beatles portrait, reminiscing about his earlier performance with The Beatles at the same Ed Sullivan Theater over 60 years ago.
In a quirky twist, the show introduced brief green blips that led to the discovery of an “interdimensional wormhole.” Colbert, along with astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, engaged in a playful encounter with the mysterious portal.
The episode also featured special appearances by late-night colleagues including Jon Stewart and the “Strike Force Five” hosts. The show ended with a musical interlude led by McCartney, uniting the entire “Late Show” crew on stage.
The grand finale saw everyone coming together to celebrate the spirit of the show, with McCartney symbolically turning off the lights at the Ed Sullivan Theater. A whimsical conclusion depicted the theater being engulfed by the wormhole and transforming into a snow globe.
The decision to end “The Late Show” was announced by CBS last summer, citing financial reasons. While the show’s cancellation sparked debate and speculation, Colbert addressed the situation with humor and wit in the finale. The episode marked the conclusion of Colbert’s 11-year tenure on the show, with CBS set to introduce a new program in the same time slot.
Overall, the final episode of “The Late Show” was a fitting tribute to its legacy, blending humor, nostalgia, and a touch of the unexpected.
