Paul McCartney Closes Colbert Late Show Finale
Stephen Colbert brought “The Late Show” to a close on Thursday night with Sir Paul McCartney as his final guest, ending the programme’s 33-year run at New York’s Ed Sullivan Theater. The finale capped an 11-season tenure for Colbert after he succeeded David Letterman, who hosted the franchise from its 1993 launch.
McCartney told Colbert that the United States was “where all the music we loved came from,” citing rock ’n’ roll and blues, and described America as “the land of the free” and “the greatest democracy,” adding: “That’s what it still is, hopefully,” BBC News reported.
The pair also discussed The Beatles’ history at the Ed Sullivan Theater, where the band’s early US appearances became a landmark moment in pop culture. They ended the episode with a performance of “Hello, Goodbye,” as crew and staff joined them onstage for a final bow, before Colbert and McCartney were shown backstage turning out the lights on the set.
The broadcast included a running gag about trying to book a final guest, featuring cameos from Mr. Bryan Cranston, Mr. Paul Rudd and Mr. Ryan Reynolds. Colbert also referenced a long-running wish to interview Pope Leo XIV, before a sketch suggested the pontiff had pulled out at the last minute.
Outside the theatre, fans gathered beneath the show’s marquee with signs thanking Colbert, while celebrity visitors in the final week included Mr. David Letterman, Mr. Steven Spielberg, Mr. Tom Hanks and Mr. Bruce Springsteen. CBS previously said the show’s cancellation was a financial decision tied to broader pressures in late-night television.
