The late-night host ended his run with humor and sharp commentary

Stephen Colbert takes final jab at CBS

May 22, 2026 – Stephen Colbert closed out his final episode of The Late Show with a sarcastic swipe at CBS, continuing the tension surrounding the network’s controversial decision to end the long-running late-night program. During the emotional finale, Colbert joked, “I hope this doesn’t cost CBS any money,” after the band played the Peanuts theme song “Linus and Lucy” during a segment discussing copyright lawsuits tied to unauthorized music usage.

The remark immediately sparked loud audience laughter and quickly went viral online, with fans interpreting it as another subtle criticism of CBS following months of speculation surrounding the show’s cancellation.

Colbert’s comment became one of the most discussed moments from the finale almost instantly.

Credit: CBS

The Late Show officially came to an end

The May 21 finale marked the official end of Stephen Colbert’s eleven-year run as host of The Late Show and the conclusion of the broader Late Show franchise that originally began with David Letterman in 1993.

CBS previously announced the cancellation while citing financial pressures and shifting economics within the late-night television industry. However, the decision remained controversial because Colbert’s show consistently led broadcast late-night ratings for years.

The cancellation also fueled widespread speculation about whether political tensions and corporate pressures may have influenced the network’s decision more heavily than publicly acknowledged.

Those rumors only intensified after Colbert publicly criticized Paramount’s reported settlement involving Donald Trump earlier in the year.

The finale mixed emotion, satire, and chaos

Rather than delivering a simple farewell episode, Colbert transformed the final Late Show into a chaotic celebration filled with celebrity cameos, surreal comedy sketches, emotional tributes, and musical performances.

The episode reportedly included appearances from Paul McCartney, Jon Stewart, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, John Oliver, Ryan Reynolds, Bryan Cranston, Tig Notaro, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and several other major entertainment figures.

Paul McCartney ultimately became Colbert’s final official guest, performing during the closing moments of the show while reflecting on The Beatles’ famous Ed Sullivan Theater history.

The combination of absurd comedy and heartfelt nostalgia created what many fans described as a fittingly emotional ending for Colbert’s version of late-night television.

Credit: Scott Kowalchyk/cbs

Colbert repeatedly referenced CBS tension

The “Linus and Lucy” joke was not the only moment interpreted as criticism toward CBS throughout Colbert’s farewell week. Multiple segments, celebrity appearances, and jokes appeared to indirectly reference frustration surrounding the cancellation.

David Letterman even returned during the final week and openly mocked CBS while participating in a comedic rooftop stunt involving furniture destruction outside the Ed Sullivan Theater.

Meanwhile, fellow late-night host Jimmy Kimmel publicly encouraged viewers not to continue watching CBS after Colbert’s departure, further escalating tensions surrounding the network’s decision.

The atmosphere surrounding the finale often felt less like a standard television goodbye and more like a public protest disguised as entertainment.

Fans and celebrities rallied behind Colbert

Throughout the final week, Hollywood figures and fellow comedians repeatedly praised Colbert for his intelligence, political commentary, and influence on modern late-night television.

Bruce Springsteen even used one of the penultimate episodes to criticize CBS ownership directly while publicly supporting Colbert during a performance appearance.

Online reactions following the finale were overwhelmingly emotional, with many viewers describing the cancellation as the end of an era for traditional network late-night television.

Fans especially praised Colbert’s ability to balance political satire, emotional sincerity, absurd humor, and intellectual conversation during his eleven-year run.

Late-night television continues changing rapidly

The ending of The Late Show also reflects broader transformations happening across the television industry. Traditional late-night programs have struggled increasingly against streaming platforms, podcasts, YouTube creators, TikTok content, and changing viewing habits.

Although Colbert remained one of late-night’s strongest ratings performers, industry observers noted that even successful network talk shows now face difficult financial realities in a fragmented media landscape.

For many viewers, however, the cancellation still symbolized something larger — the gradual decline of a television format that once dominated American pop culture nightly conversation.

Colbert’s emotional farewell resonated deeply

Despite the jokes and satire, Colbert ended the show with genuine emotion. He thanked his staff, audience, band, family, and longtime collaborators while reflecting on the joy of creating the program over more than a decade.

Many fans online said the sincerity of those final moments made the episode even more powerful than expected.

The finale ultimately blended humor, frustration, nostalgia, and gratitude in a way that felt uniquely appropriate for Colbert’s style.

Credit: Scott Kowalchyk/CBS

Final Thoughts

Stephen Colbert’s final Late Show episode delivered exactly what many viewers expected: sharp humor, emotional reflection, political undertones, and one last memorable jab at CBS. His sarcastic “I hope this doesn’t cost CBS any money” line instantly became symbolic of the complicated atmosphere surrounding the show’s cancellation and the broader tensions shaping modern late-night television. Whether audiences viewed the finale as a celebration, protest, or farewell, Colbert succeeded in reminding viewers why his voice became such a defining part of television over the last decade.

FAQs

Q1. What did Stephen Colbert say about CBS during the finale?
Colbert joked, “I hope this doesn’t cost CBS any money” after his band played “Linus and Lucy” during the final episode.

Q2. Why was The Late Show canceled?
CBS cited financial reasons and changes within the late-night television business.

Q3. Who appeared during Colbert’s final episode?
Guests and cameos included Paul McCartney, Jon Stewart, Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, Ryan Reynolds, and others.

Q4. How long did Stephen Colbert host The Late Show?
Colbert hosted the program for eleven years after taking over from David Letterman in 2015.

Q5. Why did Colbert’s CBS joke go viral?
Fans viewed it as a sarcastic final jab at the network following controversy surrounding the show’s cancellation.