Short answer: Stephen Colbert’s last episode of The Late Show aired on May 21, 2026, according to multiple outlets reporting CBS’s finale date.
Details
- Final broadcast date: May 21, 2026, at 11:35 PM ET on CBS. This was announced by CBS and widely covered as the series finale of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert [sources: Hollywood Life reporting the finale date; Entertainment Weekly confirming the final episode date; CBS’s own statements about ending the franchise in May 2026] [sources cited inline: Hollywood Life, Entertainment Weekly, CBS News].
- Context: CBS announced in 2025 that The Late Show would end during the 2025–2026 broadcast season, with the May 2026 finale marking the end of the franchise on CBS [CBS News].
- Notable finales: The finale featured appearances by guests and tributes from peers in late-night television, marking Colbert’s departure after a decade as host [Hollywood Life coverage; Entertainment Weekly coverage].
If you’d like, I can pull more contemporaneous reactions, viewership figures, or a short recap of the finale’s key moments.
Sources
Stephen Colbert signs off May 21, ending his 11-season reign as late-night’s sharpest satirist. The Late Show finale airs tonight on CBS at 11:35 PM ET. After a decade of political zingers, Colbert exits on his own terms, with family obligations taking center stage afterward. 🔥 Quick Facts Final Episode: Thursday, May 21, 2026, at…
artthreat.net‘The Late Show’ is officially coming to an end this month. Here’s when you can tune into Colbert’s final show on CBS.
hollywoodlife.com‘The Late Show’ is officially coming to an end this month. Here’s when you can tune into Colbert’s final show on CBS.
hollywoodlife.comThe final day for Stephen Colbert’s talk show has been revealed.
parade.comSix months after CBS announced that 'The Late Show With Stephen Colbert' would be ending, its award-winning host has revealed the final episode date.
ew.comIn a shocking move, CBS is ending 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' next year, potentially exiting the late-night television business altogether.
www.cnn.com"The Late Show" franchise will "end its historic run in May 2026 at the end of the broadcast season," CBS said.
www.cbsnews.com