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Stephen Colbert ends 11-year Late Show run, finale draws 6.74M

tvMay 23, 202610041,408

Stephen Colbert closed The Late Show on Thursday with a star-studded series finale that drew 6.74 million live plus same-day viewers, according to preliminary Nielsen panel-only data. That tally makes the finale the most-watched weeknight episode in the show's history, a sharp jump from the show's first-quarter 2026 average of 2.69 million and edging past The Late Show's 2015 premiere average of 6.55 million. Donald Trump posted a profanity-laced AI video depicting himself throwing Colbert into a trash can and dancing, a late-night provocation that followed the program's send-off. The finale's historic ratings and high-profile aftermath underline the cultural weight of late-night television and raise immediate questions about who will replace Colbert's time slot.

Mark Hamill
@markhamillofficial.bsky.social

I've never seen a series finale as funny, emotionally impactful and downright spectacular as last night's Late Show! What a pleasure it was to meet the hundreds of staff members and thank them personally (and pose for selfies) for entertaining us for more than a decade. ♥️🙏-mh #GoneButNeverForgotten

2299557d ago
enrich12123

I look forward to seeing what Stephen Colbert will do next! He is A+ for Democracy. #FreeSpeech

SavRTruthTiger 💙🌊🌊🌊💙97

We wanted to show support for Stephen Colbert & send a tiny but satisfying message to Ellison/Paramount/CBS So, thru Amazon Prime, we signed up for a Free Trial of Paramount+, watched his last two shows, LOVED THEM, and then Canceled our Paramount+ subscription. You, too, can do the same.

Linda Drogin80

Just watched the “Hello Goodbye” finale for the 5th time. In this downright awful time, the celebration of comic genius, brilliant musicians, kindness, friendship, gave me such happiness. We need to remember these moments used to be a normal part of life.

janiejo.bsky.social70

We need this man. #ColbertAintDone

sam1am4bg.bsky.social60

Stephen Colbert has a far greater wealth than any billionaire. Bc he has the love, respect & support of millions of people. People that will make CBS suffer for this. Bc Colbert is more popular than Trump. He made us choose & Trump is the real loser here. Everything he touches dies.

♿️Daniel (Dan) 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈🐺39

I'm gonna miss this show alot... Colbert always helped me learn the news in a way that i understood and could find a bit of humor in the darkness. I hope he gets another show somewhere else.

ArtMan -Looks Blue to me #BlueResisters38

NO MORE CBS FOR ME!

Ashland Forest Dweller28

You are a true friend . . . bsky.app/profile/vafo...

Brent27

The touch of a beatle Turining off the lights brought tears to my eyes

Parity 🦜25

The last shot of all the people who worked on the show and affected by the CBS kowtowing was powerful. 💙💪

justbegreene.bsky.social24

You’re a good man Mark Hamil!

Grandalorian23

It WAS downright spectacular!!! I may have had a few memories rolling down my face. 🥹🥹🥹

kittygonz33.bsky.social21

Was really great ! I enjoyed it and am sad at the same time 😞

BlueBaby17

I agree but in the end. It was heartbreaking. We the people cant allow this to happen again or we're screwed. I will never watch anything on that channel again.

SAM14

Stephen Colbert produced a beautiful show! CBS has chosen to cancel CBS! Stephen is loved by millions of viewers! CBS is hated for being a weak network and bending the knee to the felon is a death knell to this station.

Sherrerd13

Yes, Colbert and his team did a superb job of creating a memorable final week. (And you were part of that!)

Doug12

I kept my paramount subscription SOLELY to watch his show its last months. The finale did not disappoint and left me in tears. And as soon as it ended:

Bill Kreighbaum11

He is the epitome of class

Hedley Lamar's fugly sister10

I kind of can't be sad because it feels like he's getting evicted from a shithole and the only place to go is UP! CONGRATULATIONS STEPHEN COLBERT ON YOUR NEW FOUND FREEDOM

JustinUlster10

CBS couldn’t bring Paul McCartney to the Ed Sullivan Theatre without Stephen Colbert. CBS won’t have that kind of viewership again for a long time, if ever. I wonder how many sponsors this will cost them? bsky.app/profile/drha...

Robyn Christofides 🇦🇺🦘10

How sad America.The nation that has freedom of speech enshrined in its constitution is now having it destroyed by corporate entities who don't want to upset a thin-skinned, insecure, fascist POTUS who cannot bear any criticism & can't take a joke.Colbert is a casualty of his ego. It's truly tragic.

Mary Frances Scullion10

Stephen Colbert will be back. All the threatened comedians should buy their own station. Bet a go fund me would gain millions #FuckTrump #IrrumaboTuba

Tim Murphy10

Whatever Colbert does for his next chapter, it must be called - “Stephen Colbert: Unchained!

📎Sprout10

Was delighted you were a part of the show, Mark.

Nice Old Geezer Opposes Fascist Dictators9

I recorded it, yet I hesitate to watch, because when it’s over, it’s over. 🥹

Perogi Pete8

Watching the finale was sad, uncomfortable and except for the pre-recorded bits, stephen looked embarrassed to be there. Tough night and tough to watch, to be perfectly honest. Change is coming at us fast and furious. Seeing the Late Show lights go off was super sad.

oligarchssuck.bsky.social8

A big F U to the thin skinned oligarchs who have ZERO respect for the First Amendment and our Constitution.

@Darwin7

Check your media feeds. Both of these memes I put together are because people are speaking out and this is real. However, I would not wish this on such a wonderful person, like Stephen. Pedo...oh yeah! One day we are soooOOOooo gonna party!

Aunt Tifa7

That's the other thing that bothers me, it's not just Colbert, it's all the people behind the scene! So when the felon "cheers" for the cancellation of the Late Show, he's also "cheering" for the unemployment of all of them

The Frankenmuppet🇨🇦6

More than anything, I'm excited to see what he gets up to with his rumored Tolkien project... That's more exciting than anything he's done late night (and I've been watching him since before the Report even)

PrettyGonzo6

Was gr8 to see you! Such an ace finale for Colbert & for the history of CBS, a once gr8 network for entertainment & broadcast news. “And that’s the way it is,” Conkrite would say. So ends CBS, for it truly exists no longer. I’ll never forget the last show I watched on it.TY for being part of it! :)

Blake6

Gonna miss the laughs his show brought when the world seemed darkest.

Laura Carter6

That finale made me cry. All Americans need to wake the hell up or everything that made us the greatest country in the world will be destroyed.

Professor Roberta6

I will miss Steven so much he has made my night for 11 years. I blame that piece of shit Trump for all of this. He's not only is taking our tax money to do whatever he wants to do with it and now he takes away our laughter at night because he doesn't want anyone joking about him.

Kenobi6

Run for office we say!

Aida 🇵🇷🇺🇸🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🇺🇦🐾🌊🦋🗽💙🐸5

Loved seeing you there Mark!

exhaustedjesus.bsky.social5

The penultimate and the final show were insanely good!! Loved you Mark Hamill, and all the guests administering the Colbert Questionnaire. I love how he went out showing the amazing genius and gift he is. suck it cbs and paramount. My son is canceling our paramount+ today (at my request.)

Chuck Eddy5

Agreed! Will look forward to his next gig. Last night was the last time I will watch CBS.

Maureen Rogers5

I've been thinking about how so many tributes mention what a good man Stephen Colbert is - and how never will we ever hear those words said about DJT. What a touching, sweet, funny way for Colbert to close this chapter. It was perfection.

NO GAS IS COMING! STOCK UP, SAVE WATER, PREP EVERY DAY!!5

Agreed! I loved it! If a series as amazing as Colbert's must end, it should end with this much intelligence, humor, imagination, and class. They completed the circle from the Beatles first performance in the 1964 to McCartney and Stephen harmonizing to a Beatles song 62 years later. Beautiful.

Bela F Lugosi4

We don't get the Late Show in UK but my US friends are grieving Mr Hamill....I think someone's playing Where's Luke with the Star Wars Albums!!

PoliticalOdor4

My claymation version of Stephen Colbert receiving an award for the #1 spot that he earned.

Uniongrl ☮️ 🌍🎵🌻🦋4

It was the perfect goodbye. I enjoyed the question/answer portion and of course Sir Paul McCartney singing. I'll miss this show.

CitizenCat 🫘 🐈🧶🖊️🏺4

I had no idea how amazing his voice was!

Mysomerset4

Stephen Colbert can sing, dance, act AND has a sense of humor. OLDdonOLD has none of these skills.

Eric Zanconato3

I hope Colbert makes a comeback on a streaming service, like YouTube. I have this feeling that he’s not done with entertainment; rather, he’s done entertaining the Trump machine that CBS has become. Maybe rename it TTN (Trump Television Network)? Fox needs a new friend to spill more misinformation.

bles59.bsky.social3

Watched up in 🇨🇦! Sad and angry to see him gone! That finale was beautiful!

paulhosking.bsky.social3

So much class across one stage in so short a time.

peg-cruz.bsky.social3

Hello- Goodbye 👏 What an ending! I hope the RATINGS make the Rat bag lose his mind🤣

🔥🗽🔥SoCal Redhead🔥🗽🔥3

NPR should offer him a show. It'd piss off trump.

Hillary Hillarious3

Ironically, it will go down in history as one of the greatest and most memorable moments in broadcast history.

MaryES.bsky.social 😻💙📎3

The Late Show was just his warmup.

nikki3877.bsky.social3

Call and complain, then BOYCOTT CBS.

The original, the only, and perhaps the last Scooter Harris3

Same here! (My '25 tribute sketch)

A. Elizabeth West3

I love that man. (Love you too, Mark!)

Fish Chowder3

Colbert’s career will probably outlast CBS.

bigmonty1.bsky.social3

Whatever he decides to do I’m sure it will be significantly more impactful and garner much more attention and support than anything orange Pedolf will ever do‼️ Steven is an absolute genius with comedy and a wonderful human ‼️

Cindi3

I can't wait to see what Colbert's next project will be. Hoping he continues his wit and humor on another platform. MeidasTouch has offered him a position which I would definitely watch. Colbert demonstrated great poise and class. The orange 💩 can never be a class act like Colbert.

HEY IT’S RICK3

Irony would be Colbert getting an uninhibited Netflix show, and their subscription numbers skyrocket because of it, while Skydance/Paramount+ plummets.

Mimi3

I loved the show so much. I recorded it but can't rewatch it yet, afraid I'll cry again. I recorded his show every nite to watch the next day in case I fell asleep. It was like being w/an old friend for the last decade. I know he'll end up doing something, but President Colbert sounds great.

Tim Hill of Antifa, #FBPE2

There's a vacancy for James Bond...

jmritz.bsky.social2

Last show was classic, and perfect. Bought paramount plus to watch, saw all the last week, and canceled this morning❣Buh bye CBS❣🇺🇸💙

Matt Mulhern2

It was a bit much, no? The ego is not Colbert’s amigo. Enough with the “saving western civilization and fighting off the forces of darkness” mutual admiration society. Gag.

Chucky2

It was a great finale and to see so many celebrities there supporting Colbert just gave it the icing on the cake. Now to keep my fingers crossed that CBS / Paramount lose a huge amount of followers moving forward.

JC 💙🦋🛸2

It was amazing. The quartet... just them sitting there in low light singing. That one took me out.

santa-guy.bsky.social2

Sweet sorrow, eh! Controlling the media leads to dictatorship!

La Contessa2

It was awesome to see you there! Thanks for fighting the good fight! ❤️❤️❤️

pamelaphillippeh.bsky.social2

Just removed CBS from all our TV services.

hedlin2

I teared up a bit at the end.

12Judyblue 💙🇺🇸2

CBS is a mess. The channel is no longer allowed on my TV. "When someone shows you who they are believe them the first time"(Maya Angelou) 😢 I already miss you, Stephen Colbert.

Dotbob2

I loved the Tig Notaro cameo. I too have watched many historical events including the moon landing & last night's show.

Alice Wonders2

Colbert is a genius AND hilarious commentator/comedian too! Only two programs worth watching now on CBS-Sunday Morning and 60 Minutes, but they will likely show Bari Weiss censorship too and then lights out for CBS in my house!

Raymond Zuppa2

Great seeing you there Mark. Keep fighting the good fight.

ElleC💙🐸🤯🐕🐱🇺🇦 🌈🫘🇲🇽🇨🇦2

It was a fantastic finale! I watched it on YouTube. Fuck CBS.

feralcrone1692.bsky.social2

It was such a classy exit.

JulianAlexanderTerris2

@colbertlateshow.bsky.social and the crew have been front and center in the push back against #TWPE . They've shown remarkable courage and consistently brought hope and humour to us all. An unforgettable finale. They are #Inspiring #Heroes #History ❤️

Ovi2

So happy to see he speaks out against Zionist swine 👏👏

ELIZE2

That's a wrap, indeed! 🙏 What a legacy to leave behind. Who's ready for the next chapter? -el

LizaD2

Trump boastfully posted in of the demise of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and yet oddly failed to mention the shows’s many crew members who are now unemployed — proving without a doubt that when when it comes to American workers finances Trump really doesn’t think about them at all.

Ilka Sönksen2

Hope to see him somewhere in www. Maybe here ?

John Armistead2

Yeah, Mark, I am anxious to see what Colbert next!!!!

CHRIS MONTROSE2

It was epic Mark and I will miss him everyday

Heineken Skywalker2

You know what, as long as Evie is okay with it, Colbert SHOULD do OnlyFans. It's a very Colbert move.

raspberrybestberry.bsky.social2

We want a Stephen Colbert timeline. We live in an Ellison Brothers timeline. www.huffpost.com/entry/elliso... www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYpw...

Li.Du🇩🇰🇬🇱🇪🇺🇨🇦🇺🇦🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈2

Remember Zelinsky? The former comedian? The guy who ran an anti corruption campaign? Yeah. That guy is really inspiring...

Wedgie2

SO happy to see you part of it.

older crone2

I know it was heartwarming and heartbreaking at same time.

realraiderchap.bsky.social2

It was definitely a roller-coaster of emotions. I was crying as I was clapping and singing at the end. I miss it already

MaryNutcracker2

I was crying when he flipped the switch 😭

ValB.2

Gonna miss that great big Joy Machine and can’t wait to support whatever he does next.

Dave Jorgenson
@davejorgenson.bsky.social

Colbert guest hosted a public access TV show in Monroe, Michigan a day after the Late Show ended. Guest star: Jeff Daniels Special appearance by: Eminem Musical director: Jack White Genius. youtu.be/jJTXB5uT_C4?...

1230056d ago
Demnix529

it was so goddam funny, i hope he travels the country, popping into all the states community channels.

Sy Oppington, fellow poster324

So, "Only in Monroe" will wind up with more viewers than the CBS Evening News with Tony Dukoli? 🤔

SiperlyWhenWet ™210

Colbert is going to do juuuuuuust fine. God, I love him.

Chris has perhaps been in the Twilight Zone too long168

not his first time hosting Only in Monroe

Geoffrey Hoytsman107

Remember when Conan lost his NBC show and ceased to exist? www.businessinsider.com/conan-obrien...

Juli Gittinger aka Dr G97

Haha something delightfully retro about late night public access tv.

robin~eldest daughter~father figure~I protect the family75

This is where I subscribed to Colbert's personal Youtube Channel.

Spicy Bonus Content74

the ONE time I miss "Only in Monroe"

Just a gal in Aspen53

This was my first year in Aspen when I worked at the Wheeler. In a few weeks it will be the end of my 20th year in this lovely valley. The highlight is still...THIS night!!

Leah52

People forget he rolled with improv crews like Amy Sedaris. Now he has no leash and zero fucks so we're going to get some really wild good shit.

Britt48

Let’s take down big media channels. Skylight media merged with paramount. It’s run by Larry Ellison’s (Oracle) son, David Ellison. He took a $26 million loan from Jeffrey Epstein in 2013. Now he’s running Paramount and they intend to merge with Warner thanks to a massive Saudi loan

HoneyBBQbadger37

You done f'd up CBS

Halfpint DJT IS MY NELLIE OLSEN!23

Never count Stephen out just because CBS bent over! Im POSITIVE he & his friends have already planned something that tRUMP CAN'T TOUCH & WILL SEND HIM TO THAT MUCH AWAITED MASSIVE STROKE!!

jpitts.bsky.social13

This Colbert kid seems pretty good. I hope somebody gives him a shot to be seen.

Alan12

Trump doesn’t realize, with other platforms he just made Colbert more popular

Arkaydian11

Thought to check out a couple of minutes. Watched the whole damn thing! Hilarious! 😂 😂

Christopher Swartout11

I was moved by this moment when she was talking about her thyroid cancer.

Diane11

Yes! Thats my home state, love the midwest moderation, love my mitten state.

robinbeltane.bsky.social10

Why is the giggling in the background so comforting? 😄

The Red Novelist’s lost eidolons10

This is the new punk

AmyP-no-bs9

OMG. Thank you so much for posting this. LOL. Colbert is a national treasure. The man is so fucking funny.

Sumter Tisdale9

Making me laugh out loud. The Jack White part is hilarious.

carrots & sticks9

A new Stephen Colbert show on *public access television*? (lol) 👍? 👎? Discuss.

grainofsalt.bsky.social9

I hope this gets millions and millions of views. Show dumbfuck Paramount what they did. (not that it ever gets them to care 😒)

Jeannie Leverich8

It's so good. Loving the hyperlocal southeast Michigan stuff!

Muttsylvania8

I have too much to do today so I'm pausing it for later--but it's FANTASTIC! Thank you so much for sharing it, Dave. Stephen Colbert is a delight. And I'm now in possession of the knowledge that there must be at least 150 Sasquatch in existence to perpetuate the species, thanks to Jack White.

mariena91.bsky.social8

Master class right there. Great show. And whether or not they knew it, they are showing us how we win. Despite whatever knocks they hand out - stick together, take care of one another, find a way to have a laugh. Who do we want to be? Find your friendlies. Be with them. Support local economies.

Jerry Toupal7

I don't post much on my FB account but I had to post the whole show. Now to see what crawls out from under the log I just turned over lol

TeamLeo7

Eminem cameo for the dumpster fire... 😂

Wordlass6

Im telling you: PBS needs to offer Stephen and Evie a cooking show! @pbs.org

swingstatepsydoc.bsky.social6

Even now, he is spreading joy... from Michigan.

Turbulence Jones6

Man! He hasn't lost a step, since The Late Show!

Adam Auntie Em6

I feel like Stephen Colbert has enough money he could just spend the rest of his life humiliating CBS on every media platform available in the most passive aggressive way possible. Beating Tony D's ratings on a toothbrush that runs Doom would be the GOAT.

GP3335

Thanks for sharing this! 😎

virgotex5

Impressed by Jack White's comedic timing.

DrKPhD5

He could single-handedly revive PBS

runner4fun.bsky.social5

Colbert and Jack White must be real buddies. I like that.

Dr Seán Ketchem5

I love the whole "Fernwood Tonight" vibe. The comedy genius continues.

mt854.bsky.social5

Wonderful. I hope we see Colbert all over the place............

earthchick01.bsky.social5

boss move by colbert. more please!🙏

EJ4

I am not, repeat not stoned and I am laughing out loud! Please Stephen and Jack syndicate this show! I would watch regularly!!!! I am laughing so hard I am crying!

Otto ⚛️4

Brings back happy memories of Martin Mull and Fernwood / America Tonight.

Walter IV4

Eminem has been there a couple times.

Hold My Beer ❌👑🐸🇲🇽🇨🇦3

Just finished it. So great!!!!! Quite the balm after I balled my eyes out at the end of The Late Show. CBS cut it off, can only watch the astonishingly touching 8+min ending on YouTube.

🍁 Christine 🍁3

That's the channel where Colbert started.

KatSL 🐈🦁3

OMG, I loved this. More Stephen please!!! ❤️❤️❤️

Felinicat 🇺🇸🐸🇺🇦3

I love this man so much. I can't wait to see CBS tank in the weeks to come.

NeptunePirate3

Holy crap, the hotdog bit with Jack was hilarious. 😂

PTullymaic3

Thank you for posting. Delightful and true to character.

Mojo_IV3

GEN X, as a generation: "There's still public access television?!!!!"

Gertrude3

Thanks for sharing! Great to start my day laughing from good comedy from a great team and guests. Wishing for more Colbert guest host spots!

knic78.bsky.social2

I love how he hits the can because there is no audience.

castawayfarm.bsky.social2

I'm a little disturbed that after one of the musical interludes Colbert asked Jack White 'who was that', White replied 'I don't know' when he knows exactly who's music it was, only the greatest band to come out of Detroit, and some would argue the reason the White Stripes ever existed, The Gories.

Jeffrey Quackenbush2

This is fantastic. I hope Colbert spends the rest of his career guest hosting local access shows.

Midatlantica2

I saw a Late Show with Stephen Colbert taping and what was evident was this is a guy with boundless energy, he was perfectly suited to be on TV five days a week. I don't think he could stop if wanted to, he needs to engage his muse constantly.

Full time insect, part time cynic2

This is the most Michigan lineup anyone could imagine. Was JD Simmons not available?

Boone Daniels2

Don’t know why this hit so hard, but it did

Michael B2

Not a bad idea. Take the show on the road.

Drew2

You can see here how dependent night show comedy is on a laugh track.

Carrie Armstrong2

Excuse me as I run to the store for pita, Jif, Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce and Ruffles sour cream and onion chips 😋

mscynthialou1992.bsky.social2

This was so funny. I hope this is the starting of many public access shows.

Strugles2

That was fantastic!! Watched the whole thing and never laughed so much!

John Kohlstrand2

Oh, @agfab1968.bsky.social is going to love this.

Matt Pedroso2

This is as good as anything that was on his CBS show. It shows that good comedy doesn't require millions of dollars to produce. Would love to be able to support him directly, via Patreon?, to continue doing these a few times a month.

Suzanne Winland2

Steve Buscemi did a great 'commercial' too!

stace2

Thank you for this public service announcement. 🫶

Gayer Than Thou 🏳️‍🌈2

That is a very long list of "thanks to" credits for local public access; are those his writers and crew from his other, recently canceled show?

PennyGrover2

We are all so lucky to experience Colbert’s unhinged era. It’s going to be glorious.

Albert Kinng2

I gotta be honest. I can watch that show every day. It’s super funny and real. Refreshing when everything else feels preprogrammed.

Querydash2

What I’m realizing is that, now Colbert’s off network TV and unleashed again, we might be able to get this but REAL.

Coastal Cyclist2

Lordy, Stephen, keep rubbing their noses in it!!!!!!

Kiki2

Hilarious. What a great way to start my Saturday morning.

northernsnowdog.bsky.social2

“No spitting, please, on the floor…no.”

R Cherenson2

This is awesome, as Colbert always is! 🥳Thank you for sharing!

philipfrankenfeld.bsky.social2

Stick it to CBS. The rest of us should. By boycotting it.

hough-transform.bsky.social2

The hog is perfectly fine; frolicking on a big sandwich upstate. 😆

mark-s-blevins.bsky.social2

reminds me of Colbert's occasional "Community Calendar" segment on @colbertlateshow.bsky.social, which I loved

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