Stephen Colbert Era Wraps Up Thursday As ‘Late Show’ Ends In Controversy
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- Hollywood & Entertainment Stephen Colbert Era Wraps Up Thursday As ‘Late Show’ Ends In Controversy By Tim Lammers,
- Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights.
- NEW YORK CITY - JULY 17: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert during Thursday's July 17, 2025 show.
Hollywood & Entertainment Stephen Colbert Era Wraps Up Thursday As ‘Late Show’ Ends In Controversy By Tim Lammers,
Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I cover Hollywood and entertainment.Follow Author May 21, 2026, 04:30am EDTSummary Stephen Colbert's "The Late Show" airs its final episode Thursday, nearly 11 years after he took over from David Letterman. The show, which premiered in September 2015 with guests George Clooney and Jeb Bush, became known for its political satire, a hallmark of Colbert's previous "Colbert Report." While CBS cited financial losses of $40 million annually as the reason for cancellation, critics suggested political motives following Donald Trump's $16 million settlement with CBS. The final episode, airing at 11:35 p.m. ET/PT, follows a week of star-studded guests including Jon Stewart, Steven Spielberg, Bruce Springsteen and fellow late-night hosts. Colbert will next write a "Lord of the Rings" screenplay, while "Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen" replaces his show.
NEW YORK CITY - JULY 17: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert during Thursday's July 17, 2025 show. (Photo by Scott Kowalchyk/CBS via Getty Images)CBS via Getty ImagesThe last episode of CBS’ The Late Show with Stephen Colbert airs Thursday, nearly 11 years after famed David Letterman handed Steven Colbert the reins to the late-night institution he started in in 1992.