Stephen Colbert’s final Late Show airs May 21, late-night rivals make appearances

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• 🔥 Quick Facts
• Late-Night Rivals Return in Historic Strike Force Five Moment
• Tom Hanks, Obama, and Letterman Lead Star-Studded Finale
• Why CBS Ended The Late Show at Its Peak
• Colbert’s 11-Year Legacy and Emotional Final Stretch
• What Happens to Late Night After Colbert’s Finale?
  • Sources

Stephen Colbert‘s final Late Show airs May 21, with his late-night rivals making historic appearances. After 11 years hosting CBS’s flagship show, a star-studded farewell awaits including Tom Hanks, Barack Obama, and the entire Strike Force Five team reuniting.

Late-Night Rivals Return in Historic Strike Force Five Moment

In an unprecedented gathering, four late-night competitors set aside their rivalry to celebrate Stephen Colbert. Jimmy Fallon from NBC’s Tonight Show, Jimmy Kimmel from ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live, Seth Meyers from NBC’s Late Night, and John Oliver from HBO’s Last Week Tonight all appeared on Monday’s broadcast. The appearance triggered memories of their famous Strike Force Five podcast collaboration, cementing this as a farewell milestone.

The hosts announced they’ll release a special Strike Force Five video episode on May 13 to honor their longtime friend. Jimmy Kimmel also made a gesture of solidarity by airing repeats instead of new episodes during Colbert‘s final week, clearing the competitive field for the historic finale.

Tom Hanks, Obama, and Letterman Lead Star-Studded Finale

Hollywood’s biggest names are lining up for final appearances with Colbert. Tom Hanks will join the host on May 13 for what promises to be an emotional interview. Former President Barack Obama will take The Colbert Questionert segment, mixing serious topics with comedy. David Letterman, who preceded Colbert as Late Show host for 33 years, returns for a poignant moment on May 14.

Additional guests include Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Pedro Pascal, John Krasinski, and musical performances by The Strokes. Each appearance reflects the deep friendships Colbert built across entertainment’s landscape during his historic 11-year run.

Why CBS Ended The Late Show at Its Peak

Aspect	Status
Cancellation Reason	CBS called it a “purely financial decision”
Announcement Date	July 2025
Show Duration	11 years, 2,500+ episodes
Next in Time Slot	Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen

CBS announced in July 2025 that Colbert‘s show would end, citing an “economic challenge in late-night television.” Despite the show’s strong viewership and cultural impact, the network made the decision based on financial restructuring. David Letterman, the show’s predecessor host, openly criticized the move, calling CBS executives “lying weasels” and expressing his “disbelief” over the cancellation.

Colbert’s 11-Year Legacy and Emotional Final Stretch

Stephen Colbert took over The Late Show in September 2015, transitioning from his Comedy Central character role. His tenure fundamentally shaped late-night television, combining sharp political commentary with celebrity interviews and musical performances. The show won multiple Emmy Awards and became a cultural touchstone for viewers seeking intelligent, irreverent humor.

Sources report Colbert has been candid about his emotions surrounding the ending. According to reports, the host stated that “it feels real now” as the final stretch approaches, acknowledging the difficulty of leaving behind a show he loves and people he’s worked with daily.

“It feels real now. I know it was real, but now there are three months left. What I really love is the people I do it with.”

Stephen Colbert, The Late Show Host

What Happens to Late Night After Colbert’s Finale?

After May 21, CBS transitions the time slot to Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen, a stand-up focused program representing a major shift in late-night strategy. NBC, ABC, and HBO continue their late-night lineups with Fallon, Kimmel, and Oliver respectively. The farewell week feels less like an ending and more like a celebration of late-night’s collaborative spirit, with competitors becoming colleagues in honoring Colbert‘s contributions. Will other networks follow with format changes? The industry watches closely.

Sources

• NPR – “Stephen Colbert and Late Night Hosts Strike Again as His Show Nears Finale”
• USA Today – “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Ends May 21, Byron Allen Taking Time Slot”
• The New York Times – “Stephen Colbert Hosts 4 of His Best Television Friends”