All The Surprise Guests On Stephen Colbert’s Last Show, Including Paul McCartney

BusinessMediaAll The Surprise Guests On Stephen Colbert’s Last Show, Including Paul McCartneyByToni Fitzgerald,Senior Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Toni Fitzgerald is a Pennsylvania-based reporter who covers mediaFollow AuthorMay 22, 2026, 12:27am EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.SummaryStephen Colbert's final "Late Show" episode delivered a star-studded send-off, less than a year after its surprising cancellation. The show opened with a tribute to late-night legends, including David Letterman and Johnny Carson. The highly anticipated guest list featured comedic interruptions from Bryan Cranston, Paul Rudd, Tim Meadows, Tig Notaro, and Ryan Reynolds, who all engaged in humorous bits from the audience. Colbert also playfully mentioned a fictional appearance by Pope Leo XIV. The grand finale saw music icon Paul McCartney rush out, receiving a standing ovation. McCartney, whose band The Beatles famously debuted at the Ed Sullivan Theater, presented Colbert with a framed photo of that historic moment, providing a perfect and poignant conclusion to Colbert's tenure.Show More Paul McCartney appeared as the special guest on the final episode of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert."CBSStephen Colbert’s last show on Thursday night featured a star-studded lineup to send him off, less than a year after CBS announced the stunning cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. He had already welcomed a cavalcade of big names in his final weeks, including hosting his fellow late-night hosts from other networks as well as close friend Jon Stewart, Bruce Springsteen and David Byrne. The interview lineup for Thursday’s final episode had been a closely guarded secret, though, and it didn’t disappoint. His intro showed snippets of monologues from just about every late night host to ever do it, from his predecess...