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The Late Show with Stephen Colbert returns after a week-long break tomorrow with stunning finality looming. Only 12 episodes remain before the series ends May 21. The countdown begins with formers president Obama on deck for May 5.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Return Date: The Late Show resumes Monday, May 4, 2026 after a week-long hiatus.
- Final Episode: Series finale airs Thursday, May 21, 2026 on CBS at 11:35 PM ET.
- Remaining Episodes: Exactly 12 new episodes span the final three-week run.
- Cancellation Reason: CBS cited “financial” factors for retiring the franchise after 11 seasons.
The Beginning of the End Starts Monday
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert takes back the late-night stage tomorrow after May 1 break. Colbert and his team have spent the week preparing for the brutal final stretch. The show has been dark since Thursday last week. Production ramped back up to film the remaining 12 episodes before lights go out for good.
This marks the official beginning of “The Late Show’s” farewell tour. CBS brass confirmed in July 2025 that the legendary franchise would retire when the 2025-26 broadcast season concluded. The decision shocked fans accustomed to late-night institution status since 1993 under previous hosts.
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert returns May 4 with only 12 episodes remaining before May 21 finale
Malcolm Todd announced as Dillo Day headliner at Northwestern, May 16
A-List Guests Ready to Say Goodbye
The final three weeks will feature unprecedented star power. Former President Barack Obama headlines Monday night, May 5, in his first interview from the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. This will be Obama’s sixth appearance on the show over the years. The announcement came just days ago to massive fanfare.
Following Obama, Bryan Cranston appears Monday, May 6. Then Anderson Cooper joins the desk. Keanu Reeves, Andy Serkis, and Meryl Streep round out the later weeks. Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Jon Stewart, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and musical guests like Michael Stipe also confirmed.
The Final Three Weeks Unfold in Real Time
| Week | Dates | Key Notes |
| Week 1 | May 4-8 | Obama, Cranston, and major guests begin |
| Week 2 | May 11-15 | Cooper, Reeves, Streep appearances |
| Week 3 | May 18-21 | Final episode Thursday, May 21 |
The show’s final stretch represents an emotional goodbye for fans and crew. Colbert has hosted thousands of episodes since debuting the show in 2015. The Ed Sullivan Theater in Manhattan has been his home nightly.
“The feelings of the show ending are growing significantly now.”
— Stephen Colbert, in recent interview with The New York Times
What Happens After May 21?
CBS has already announced its replacement strategy. Byron Allen’s syndicated shows will occupy the 11:35 PM ET slot starting in summer 2026. The network declined to launch another original late-night program immediately. “Comics Unleashed” will debut as the successor show later in 2026.
Colbert himself is moving forward with new creative projects. Recent reports hint at Lord of the Rings film development with his son Peter McGee, a screenwriter. The comedian continues writing and producing beyond the CBS platform he dominated for over a decade.
Will The Late Show’s Legacy Endure Without Colbert?
The question haunting late-night fans is simple: can anyone replace Stephen Colbert? The show became a cultural phenomenon under his satirical, comedic leadership. Nightly monologues blended political commentary with sharp humor. Colbert won multiple Emmy awards and became a voice for millions worldwide.
From viral segments to celebrity interviews, “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” shaped modern late-night television. The final 12 episodes will serve as bookends to an era. May 21 marks not just an ending, but the close of a 33-year legacy for “The Late Show” franchise overall, since the original debuted in 1993 with David Letterman.
Sources
- The New York Times – Stephen Colbert interview on show ending, published April 28, 2026.
- Yahoo Entertainment – Final episodes guest lineup and schedule details for May 2026.
- Deadline – Barack Obama appearance announcement and series finale confirmation.
