UPDATE 27/01/2026 at 13:10 — Stephen Colbert It has been reported that he has announced the date of the final episode of The Late Show.
While recording an episode of Late Night with Seth MeyersColbert, 61, revealed the end date of his show on Thursday, May 21, according to LateNight. (Colbert’s guest appearance on late at night will be broadcast on Tuesday, January 27.)
A nearby source The Late Show confirmed the final date a Us Weekly.
we contacted a representative of The Late Show to comment
The original story continues below:
CBS came under fire after canceling Stephen Colbert’s The Late Show — but when does the last episode air?
Colbert, 61, took over hosting late show following the franchise David LettermanIn 2015, it took a step back and celebrated nearly a decade on air before shocking viewers with the news of the cancellation.
“Before we start the show, I want to let you know something I found out last night. Next year will be our last season,” Colbert announced during a July taping as the audience booed. “I share your feelings. It’s not just the end of our show, it’s the end of The Late Show on CBS. They’re not going to replace me. That’s all just going away.”
He continued, “I want to say that the people at CBS have been great partners … And I’m grateful to the audience, you, who have joined us every night, here, out there and around the world.”
Colbert confirmed at the time that CBS will “end The Late Show” in May 2026, but a specific date for the final episode was not immediately revealed. CBS executives later released a statement addressing their decision, revealing that it was “in no way related to the show’s performance, content, or other matters going on at Paramount,” but was due to finances.
The damage, however, was has already been done as Colbert’s colleaguesUS senators and even the Writers Guild of America questioned the timing of CBS’ cancellation The Late Show.
Jimmy Kimmel reposted a clip of Colbert’s announcement via his Instagram story with the caption: “I love you Stephen. F*** you and all your CBS Sheldons.” Friend host of the night Jimmy Fallon he said he was “just as shocked as everyone else” in a separate post on social media.
“Stephen is one of the clearest and funniest hosts ever. I really thought I’d be doing it with him for years to come,” she wrote in July. “I’m sad that my family and friends need a new show to watch every night at 11:30. But honestly, he’s been a real gentleman and a true friend over the years, coming back to The Colbert Report, and I’m sure what he does next will be just as brilliant.”
Watch What Happens live‘s Andy Cohen also weighed in, saying Deadline at the time, “I think it’s a sad day for late-night television. I think it’s a sad day for CBS. I think Stephen Colbert is a singular talent. He’s going to have an incredible next chapter.”
Cohen added, “I can’t believe that CBS is turning off the lights at 11:30 after the local news. I’m shocked. It’s one of three late-night shows that is considered worthy enough for an Emmy nomination. It produces a brilliant program.”
Other public figures they expressed their frustration to the decision, which was announced after Colbert’s recent comment about Paramount, the parent company of CBS, settling what he called a “nuisance lawsuit” filed by President Donald Trump. In his lawsuit, Trump, 79, alleged that 60 minutes had unfairly edited an interview of Kamala Harris.
“I love that Colbert got fired,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform in July. “His talent was even less than his ratings. I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next. He’s even less talented than Colbert!”
While CBS has yet to publicly address the criticism, the WGA called for an investigation into the cancellation of “one of CBS’ most successful, beloved and profitable shows.” In a statement, the organization expressed “significant concerns” about the removal of the program.
“Given Paramount’s recent capitulation to President Trump in the CBS News lawsuit, the Writers Guild of America has significant concerns that the cancellation of The Late Show is a bribe, sacrificing free speech to curry favor with the Trump Administration as the company seeks approval of the merger,” the statement continued. “Cancellations are part of business, but a corporation canceling a show in bad faith because of explicit or implicit political pressure is dangerous and unacceptable in a democratic society.”
The WGA urged lawmakers to take actionwriting, “Paramount’s decision comes against a backdrop of relentless attacks on a free press by President Trump, through lawsuits against CBS and ABC, threats of litigation against media organizations with critical coverage, and the impermissible defunding of PBS and NPR. The Writers Guild of America is calling for New York State Attorney General James Lertitia to join Trump’s illegal business practice illegal. California and we are launching an investigation into possible wrongdoing at Paramount.”
The statement concluded: “We call on our elected leaders to hold those responsible accountable, to demand answers as to why this beloved program was canceled and to assure the public that Colbert and his writers were not censored because of their views or the whims of the president.”
The Late Show airs Monday through Thursday on CBS at 11:35 PM ET.