Paul McCartney Helps Stephen Colbert Close Out ‘Late Show’ With a Musical Surprise

Stephen Colbert
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert key art.

Paul McCartney helped Stephen Colbert close out “The Late Show” in unforgettable fashion, joining the host for the series finale with a surprise performance and a heartfelt interview.

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The music legend took the stage alongside Elvis Costello, Jon Batiste, and Louis Cato for a lively rendition of “Hello Goodbye,” giving Colbert’s final episode a star‑studded, emotional send‑off that celebrated both the show’s history and its impact on late‑night television. Many celebrities joined the Emmy-winning host for the final show including Ryan Reynolds, Bryan Cranston, Tim Meadows, Tig Navaro, Neil Degras Tyson, Paul Rudd, his late night host brothers Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, John Oliver, and Jon Stewart.

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert during Thursday’s May 21, 2026 show. Photo: Scott Kowalchyk ©2026 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

During the episode, McCartney joined Colbert for a warm and wide‑ranging conversation that touched on his memories of performing with The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show, which was filmed on the very same stage where The Late Show is taped.

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After 11 years on air, Colbert’s finale ended with Colbert’s family and the entire crew on stage singing as the audience cheers. In the closing tag, the Ed Sullivan Theater “blew up” in a graphic with the building in a snow globe,

Colbert’s next venture is writing. An avid, “Lord of the Rings” fan, Colbert is set to write the script for the next “Lord of the Rings” movie along side his son Peter McGee and Philippa Boyens.

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert during Thursday’s May 21, 2026 show. Photo: Scott Kowalchyk ©2026 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Comics Unleashed Replaces The Late Show

Beginning Friday, May 22, CBS will air Byron Allen’s “Comics Unleashed” in the 11:30 pm time slot, followed by another episode. “Comics Unleashed” is a stand‑up comedy showcase series created and hosted by Byron Allen. The show features a rotating lineup of comedians who deliver rapid‑fire jokes, personal stories, and observational humor in a fast‑paced, panel‑style format.

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