attended the May 22, 2026 finale, Paul McCartney joined Paul McCartney; the closing moment showed the Ed Sullivan Theater swallowed by a wormhole, inside a snow globe motif; the broadcast also highlighted Strike Force Five members and a musical moment, while Colbert spoke out against corporate influence in entertainment; it marked the end of a 33-year CBS late-night era for Colbert. There were appearances by Strike Force Five members and a musical moment, plus the show spotlighted Colbert's critique of corporate influence in entertainment; the ending echoed a famous TV finale motif with the theater frozen in a snow globe, signaling the end of an era for CBS late-night.
Colbert's last 'Late Show' featured Paul McCartney, among other celebrity guests, and one final critique of Trump, Paramount and the state of late-night TV.
www.sfchronicle.comStephen Colbert's 'The Late Show' ended Thursday with a reality-bending wormhole, Strike Force Five, and a song.
ew.comTVLine recaps Stephen Colbert's star-studded Late Show finale, featuring Paul McCartney, Strike Force Five, and an interdimensional wormhole.
www.tvline.comStephen Colbert hosted "The Late Show" for the final time Thursday night as the franchise came to an end after 33 years.
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