Stephen Colbert’s last episode of The Late Show, aired on May 21, achieved a remarkable viewership, making it the most-watched weekday episode in the show’s eleven-year history. According to Nielsen ratings, the episode attracted an average audience of 6.74 million viewers, surpassing the show’s debut episode in 2015, which garnered 6.55 million viewers.
On the day of the finale, Colbert’s primary competitors, Jimmy Kimmel on ABC and Jimmy Fallon on NBC, opted to air reruns of their programs, allowing Colbert’s show to dominate the ratings.
The farewell episode featured a performance by Colbert alongside former Beatle Paul McCartney, as well as Elvis Costello, Louis Cato, and Jon Batiste, who joined him in singing “Hello Goodbye.” This marked a celebratory conclusion to a program that has been a staple of late-night television.
Last summer, CBS announced the cancellation of The Late Show, citing financial challenges within the late-night television landscape. Many fans who previously watched the show at 11:35 PM have since turned to platforms like YouTube and social media for content.
In the first quarter of 2026, CBS reported that The Late Show averaged around 2.7 million viewers per night. The network has indicated that it does not plan to replace Colbert’s show directly. Instead, it will introduce a new program titled Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen, which will focus on a roundtable discussion format and will not feature the political commentary that characterized much of Colbert’s work.
In response to the show’s cancellation, many celebrities and political figures expressed their sentiments. Colbert hosted over 1,800 episodes, taking over from David Letterman. Letterman himself criticized the decision to cancel the show, calling it a “huge mistake” in a recent interview. He emphasized the cultural significance of Colbert’s perspective.
Former President Joe Biden, who has been a guest on the show, also shared his thoughts on Instagram, stating, “Few people can make others think and laugh at the same time… For years, Stephen brought wit, heart, and honesty to late-night television. America could always count on laughter—and sometimes a necessary reality check. Congratulations on an incredible run, my friend.”
Actress Jane Fonda and other celebrities participated in a video tribute, highlighting Colbert’s impact on comedy and his role in challenging the status quo. Mark Ruffalo expressed his disappointment over the show’s cancellation, while Bruce Springsteen, a recent guest, voiced his support for Colbert, pointing out the unique challenges faced by comedians in the current political climate.
The White House, under Donald Trump, responded to the finale with a video created using artificial intelligence, depicting Trump tossing Colbert into a trash bin. The video concluded with Trump performing a dance to the Village People’s “YMCA,” accompanied by the caption, “Goodbye!”
In the wake of the show’s cancellation, Trump took to Truth Social to express his views, stating, “Colbert finally finished at CBS. Amazing he lasted so long! No talent, no ratings, no life. He was like a dead man. Anyone off the street would be better than this complete loser. Thank God he’s finally gone.” Colbert, in turn, remarked that he always dreamed of a sitting president celebrating the end of his career, addressing Trump directly on air with a dismissive comment.
Amid these developments, CBS’s decision to cancel The Late Show coincided with its parent company, Paramount, seeking regulatory approval for a significant merger with Skydance Media valued at $8.4 billion. Concurrently, Trump had filed a lawsuit against CBS, alleging that an interview with Kamala Harris had been edited to favor her during the 2024 elections. Although legal experts believed CBS could win the case, the network opted to settle, paying Trump $16 million. Colbert publicly criticized this settlement, labeling it a “fat bribe,” shortly before the announcement of the show’s cancellation.
As CBS sought to distance the show’s closure from political implications, it attributed the decision to the broader financial difficulties facing late-night formats.
Stephen Colbert's final episode of <i>The Late Show</i> drew 6.74 million viewers, making it the most-watched episode in eleven years. The cancellation of the show has prompted reactions from celebrities and political figures, highlighting its cultural significance amidst ongoing financial challenges in late-night television.
Source: CNN