Stephen Colbert’s final episode of The Late Show aired on May 21, 2026. CBS announced the show would end in May 2026 for financial reasons, and Colbert’s finale fulfilled that timeline with a retrospective and farewell moments. Sources covering the official date and surrounding context include Entertainment Weekly, Hollywood Reporter, and other outlets reporting the May 21 finale as the series end date.[3][5][9]
Key details:
- Final episode date: May 21, 2026.[5][9]
- CBS context: The network said the cancellation was a financial decision despite strong ratings, noting Colbert’s irreplaceable status.[9]
- Notable coverage: Reports emphasized the farewell tone, guests, and retrospective elements typical of end-of-run finales.[2][5]
If you’d like, I can pull specific quotes from these articles or summarize the finale’s notable moments and guest list. Would you prefer a brief timeline of the finale or a list of featured guests and standout segments?