Stephen Colbert’s Final ‘Late Show’ Week Begins With Chaos, Callbacks, and Questions
Stephen Colbert could have opened the final week of The Late Show with a sentimental montage, celebrity tributes, or a victory lap through a decade of political satire. Instead, he aired some of the worst material his writers ever made.
That decision alone says almost everything about how Colbert wants this farewell to be remembered. Not polished. Not overly emotional. Just funny, weird, self-aware, and deeply rooted in the staff culture that built one of late night television’s defining shows.
With The Late Show with Stephen Colbert ending Thursday after 10 years on CBS, the final episodes have become more than just television. They’ve turned into a referendum on late night’s future, network politics, and Colbert’s legacy as one of TV’s sharpest political satirists.
Stephen Colbert Opens Final Week With a “Worst Of” Episode
Monday’s episode avoided the standard nostalgia package fans expected. Instead of replaying iconic interviews or viral political monologues, Colbert introduced what he called a “best of the worst of” showcase. The episode featured sketches and concepts that were previously rejected, including a fake commercial for “erotic body gravy,” bizarre graphics that never made air, and a recurring Kid Rock parody character so abrasive Colbert joked ratings dipped whenever he appeared.
The episode felt less like a network farewell and more like an office afterparty viewers accidentally wandered into. For longtime fans, the behind-the-scenes chaos had charm. For casual viewers tuning in expecting a retrospective of Colbert’s greatest moments, it probably felt intentionally offbeat.
That may have been the point. Colbert has spent the final stretch of the show pushing away sentimentality. Even as fans and fellow comedians openly criticize CBS for ending the franchise, he has largely responded with gratitude instead of anger.
Why CBS Cancelled ‘The Late Show’
CBS has maintained that ending The Late Show was a financial decision tied to broader struggles in late-night television. According to the network, the cancellation was not connected to Colbert’s politics or criticism of former President Donald Trump. Still, skepticism remains high.
The timing raised immediate questions because Paramount, CBS’ parent company, was simultaneously navigating a merger process involving Skydance Media while also settling a lawsuit brought by Trump against CBS News. Colbert publicly mocked that settlement on-air, calling it a “big fat bribe.”
That combination fueled speculation that politics may have played a role, especially given Colbert’s status as one of Trump’s most visible late-night critics. David Letterman, who hosted The Late Show before Colbert, didn’t hide his frustration either.
“I have every right to be pissed off,” Letterman said during a recent appearance on the show.
Colbert himself has avoided directly accusing CBS of political retaliation. But he acknowledged the broader tension in an interview with The New York Times, saying “two things can be true.”
The Final Episodes Feature Major Guests
The rest of the farewell week leans far more traditional. Tuesday’s episode includes Jon Stewart and Steven Spielberg, along with a musical performance featuring David Byrne and Colbert himself. Wednesday brings Bruce Springsteen and a final edition of “The Colbert Questionert.”
Thursday’s finale remains mostly under wraps. That secrecy has only intensified online speculation about surprise appearances or emotional sendoffs from longtime collaborators.
What’s notable is how competing late-night shows are responding. ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! and NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon are reportedly airing reruns opposite Colbert’s final broadcast, effectively clearing the stage for his goodbye.
In a fractured late-night landscape increasingly squeezed by streaming, YouTube clips, and shrinking ad revenue, that gesture carries weight.
What Happens to Colbert After ‘The Late Show’?
Colbert has not publicly revealed detailed post-show plans. One confirmed project involves writing work connected to a new Lord of the Rings film, which fits perfectly with his longtime reputation as one of Hollywood’s most passionate Tolkien superfans.
CBS, meanwhile, plans to replace The Late Show time slot with Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen beginning Friday. The format shift is dramatic. Unlike Colbert’s politically driven monologues and celebrity interviews, Comics Unleashed focuses on evergreen comedy panels without topical political commentary.
That transition feels symbolic. For decades, late night television thrived on immediacy. Colbert perfected that formula during the Trump era, blending satire with nightly political analysis in ways that often dominated social media conversation the next morning. CBS appears ready to move in the opposite direction.
Stephen Colbert’s Legacy Extends Beyond Late Night
Regardless of how Thursday ends, Colbert leaves behind one of the most influential runs in modern late-night history.
He inherited an impossible job after David Letterman’s retirement and eventually reshaped The Late Show into a ratings powerhouse built around political satire, cultural commentary, and sharp interviews.
His audience wasn’t just tuning in for jokes. They were watching for perspective.
That’s why this ending feels bigger than a normal cancellation.
Late night has been shrinking for years. But losing Colbert feels like losing one of the format’s last defining voices.
And somehow, fittingly, he chose to begin the end with terrible jokes about gravy.
FAQ
Why is Stephen Colbert leaving The Late Show?
CBS says the show is ending for financial reasons tied to the changing late-night television landscape. Critics and fans have questioned whether politics also played a role.
When is Stephen Colbert’s final episode?
Colbert’s final episode of The Late Show airs Thursday night on CBS.
Who are the guests during Colbert’s final week?
The final week includes appearances by Jon Stewart, Steven Spielberg, Bruce Springsteen, and David Byrne.
What will replace The Late Show on CBS?
CBS plans to air Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen in the time slot following Colbert’s departure.
What is Stephen Colbert doing next?
Colbert is attached as a writer on an upcoming Lord of the Rings project, though he has not announced broader career plans yet.
