The Goodbye Stephen Colbert Wanted to Say
Stephen Colbert concluded his tenure as host of CBS's The Late Show with a heartfelt series finale. Despite the show's cancellation under contentious circumstances, Colbert maintained an upbeat tone, featuring a lineup of celebrity guests. His final episode reflected on the emotional connection he built with viewers over the years.
- ▪Stephen Colbert's Late Show was canceled by CBS for alleged financial reasons.
- ▪Colbert's final episode featured celebrity guests including Paul McCartney and Jon Stewart.
- ▪He emphasized a joyful farewell while acknowledging the emotional relationship with his audience.
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CultureThe Goodbye Stephen Colbert Wanted to SayThe late-night host ended his talk show the way he started it—with empathy, and an eye for entertainment.By David SimsScott Kowalchyk / CBS / GettyMay 22, 2026, 8:45 AM ET ShareSave The end of a long-running late-night talk show tends to play out in one of two ways: as a mournful funeral, or a joyous wake.In the case of hosts such as David Letterman and Johnny Carson, who picked the date and manner of their retirements, the send-offs were upbeat. Stephen Colbert, Letterman’s successor as the host of CBS’s The Late Show for the last 11 years, is leaving his job under more forced, awkward circumstances.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Atlantic.
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