‘The Late Show With Stephen Colbert’ Is Ending Tonight With A Special Extended Finale

BusinessHollywood & Entertainment‘The Late Show With Stephen Colbert’ Is Ending Tonight With A Special Extended FinaleByMonica Mercuri, Contributor. Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Monica is an entertainment reporter covering TV, film, and music.Follow AuthorMay 21, 2026, 02:19pm EDTMay 21, 2026, 02:20pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.NEW YORK - MAY 6: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert during Wednesday's May 6, 2026 show. (Photo by Scott Kowalchyk/CBS via Getty Images)CBS via Getty ImagesStephen Colbert is officially saying goodbye to The Late Show tonight. The series finale not only marks the end of the 62-year-old comedian’s 11-year tenure as host, but also closes the chapter on the Late Show franchise after more than three decades on CBS. Last July, CBS announced that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert would come to an end in May 2026 after Colbert’s contract expired. The news surprised many viewers and industry insiders, especially given the show’s continued success in ratings and its strong position in the late-night landscape. ForbesWhy Was ‘The Late Show With Stephen Colbert’ Canceled?By Monica MercuriThe network said the cancellation was "purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night" and stressed that it was unrelated to the show’s performance, creative direction or broader issues involving Paramount. Still, the decision sparked speculation from Democratic leaders about whether it was connected to Colbert’s public criticism of President Donald Trump and Paramount Global’s $16 million settlement. Colbert will not be replaced, as CBS has decided to end the entire show for now. Beginning on May 22, Colbert’s time slot will be taken over by Byron Allen’s talk show, Comics Unleashed. The comedy panel show features comedians who perform stand-up. MORE FOR YOUAllen told CBS Mornings on Wednesday, May 20, that there will be “no politics” on his show. “That’s it. You come, you laugh,” he said. “I created the show 20 years ago, and we’re about to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Comics Unleashed this fall. Twenty years of laughter.” Here’s everything to know about Colbert’s final late-night show, including what time it starts, how long the episode is expected to last, how to watch and more. What Time Is the Final Episode of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert Airing?A marquee featuring "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" is seen outside the Ed Sullivan Theater, where Colbert's show is produced, in New York City on July 18, 2025. Stephen Colbert's "The Late Show", long a staple of late night US television, will end in 2026, the CBS network said on July 17, days after the comedian blasted parent company Paramount's $16 million settlement with President Donald Trump as "a big fat bribe." CBS said in a statement the cancellation was "purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night," and was "not related in any way to the show's performance, content or other matters happening at (parent company) Paramount." (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)AFP via Getty ImagesThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert will air its final episode on Thursday, May 21, at 11:35 p.m. ET/PT on CBS and Paramount+. How To Watch The Late Show With Stephen Colbert’s Series FinaleNEW YORK CITY - JULY 17: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert during Thursday's July 17, 2025 show. (Photo by Scott Kowalchyk/CBS via Getty Images)CBS via Getty ImagesThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert airs on CBS. Cord-cutters can access the network through live TV streaming services like Hulu+ Live TV, DirecTV Stream, Fubo and YouTube TV, all of which currently offer free trials or promotional deals. The finale episode is also streaming on Paramount+. Paramount+ Premium subscribers can watch the show live as it airs on CBS, while Paramount+ Essential subscribers can stream it the next day, starting Friday, May 22. The Paramount+ Essential plan costs $8.99 per month with limited ads, while the Premium plan costs $13.99 per month without ads. Paramount+ is not offering a free trial at this time. How Long Is The Late Show With Stephen Colbert Finale?BEVERLY HILLS, CA - AUGUST 10: Host, executive producer, writer Stephen Colbert speaks onstage during the 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' panel discussion at the CBS portion of the 2015 Summer TCA Tour at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on August 10, 2015 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)Getty ImagesWhile episodes of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert are typically around one hour long, tonight’s finale is expected to run longer than usual. CBS teased in a promo that the episode will be “extended,” though the network has not revealed the exact runtime. Ahead of the episode, LateNighter reported that the show will run 17 minutes longer than usual tonight, ending at 12:54 a.m. instead of its typical 12:37 a.m. end time. Who Will Be The Final Guest For The Late Show With Stephen Colbert?NEW YORK - MAY 5: President Barack Obama and Stephen Colbert the CBS series The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, scheduled to air on the CBS Television Network. (Photo by Scott Kowalchyk/CBS via Getty Images)CBS via Getty ImagesCBS has not revealed who will appear as the final guests of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The network has only shared that tonight’s episode is called “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Series Finale.” Guests who have appeared during the show’s final weeks include Barack Obama, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Pedro Pascal, David Letterman, Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks. Editorial StandardsReprints & PermissionsLOADING VIDEO PLAYER...FORBES’ FEATURED Video