“Hello, Goodbye”: Paul McCartney powers down The Late Show in a finale CBS couldn’t keep quiet

(SeaPRwire) –   Stephen Colbert welcomed Paul McCartney for a lively duet of “Hello, Goodbye” on Thursday’s final episode of CBS’s “The Late Show,” delivering a poignant yet defiant farewell to a program the network had abruptly canceled after 33 years.

Opening his last broadcast—which grew increasingly surreal as it unfolded—Colbert reflected on the “joy” he and his team had experienced producing over 1,800 episodes.

“The energy you’ve given us was essential to making the best possible show we could for you over the past 11 years,” Colbert said. “You gave it to us—and we gave it right back.”

He jokingly introduced Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born pope, as his final guest—only for the pontiff to refuse appearing from his dressing room, demanding proper snacks, especially hot dogs.

McCartney stepped in as a substitute, striding onstage amid roaring applause. “I think you’d make the perfect last guest,” Colbert remarked.

McCartney said he was simply in the neighborhood running errands. He presented a framed photo of the Beatles at the Ed Sullivan Theater, “The Late Show”’s longtime home, and the two reminisced about the band’s 1964 U.S. debut, creative inspiration, McCartney’s new album, and his childhood.

Final broadcast is filled with surprises

Colbert’s monologue was playfully interrupted by Bryan Cranston, Paul Rudd, and Tim Meadows, who feigned outrage at not being chosen as the final guest. “You got what you deserved,” Meadows grumbled. Other stars, including Tig Notaro and Ryan Reynolds, delivered humorous cameos during Colbert’s closing “Meanwhile” segment.

Later, Colbert joined Elvis Costello, former bandleader Jon Batiste, and current bandleader Louis Cato for a laid-back rendition of Costello’s “Jump Up.” The group then united with the house band and McCartney for the night’s closing number: a spirited performance of “Hello, Goodbye.”

Afterward, staff, audience members—including Colbert’s wife, Evie McGee Colbert—rushed the stage as Colbert handed McCartney the symbolic duty of shutting off the theater’s power. In a whimsical twist, the venue then appeared to be sucked into a vortex and transformed into a snow globe.

Notable guests throughout the final week included Michael Keaton, Jon Stewart, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Steven Spielberg, David Byrne, and Bruce Springsteen, alongside a quirky reworking of “It’s Raining Men” titled “It’s Raining Fish.”

On Wednesday, Colbert turned the tables on his own “Colbert Questionnaire,” answering lighthearted prompts such as the best sandwich and whether apples trump oranges—posed by Mark Hamill, Martha Stewart, Ben Stiller, and Robert De Niro.

David Letterman, who hosted the show when it launched in 1993, joined Colbert on the theater roof to toss furniture off the set—a callback to one of Letterman’s signature bits.

Colbert’s show ends after 11 seasons

CBS announced last summer that Colbert’s program would conclude after 11 seasons, citing economic factors—despite his consistent ratings dominance in late-night television. Many, including Colbert himself, questioned whether President Donald Trump’s frequent criticisms of the show played a role; Trump’s name was notably absent from Thursday’s episode.

The cancellation followed Paramount’s $16 million settlement of Trump’s lawsuit over a “60 Minutes” interview, as the company awaited approval from his administration for its pending sale to Skydance Media. Colbert had previously called the settlement a “big fat bribe.” During Thursday’s show, he played a clip of a sympathetic dolphin with the caption: “It was a financial decision.”

In the “Meanwhile” segment, Colbert quipped about the litigious owner of music used in “Peanuts” specials—just as the band launched into the theme. “Oh no, I hope this doesn’t cost CBS any money,” he deadpanned.

The finale appeared troubled by technical glitches and stray audio. Later, a pretaped sketch revealed the cause: an interdimensional wormhole, explained by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson as a consequence of canceling a top-rated show.

Jon Stewart appeared to clarify that the wormhole was metaphorical, and Colbert reunited with fellow late-night hosts Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, John Oliver, and Seth Meyers. Elijah Woods joined in for a “Lord of the Rings”-themed joke.

Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon ran reruns on Thursday

Colbert’s main competitors—ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and NBC’s “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon”—both aired reruns Thursday. Kimmel encouraged viewers to watch Colbert’s farewell—and then stop tuning into CBS altogether.

CBS plans to replace “The Late Show” with “Comics Unleashed,” a comedy storytelling series hosted by Byron Allen, who has pledged to steer clear of politics.

Colbert’s extended goodbye—running roughly 17 minutes over schedule—stood out for its ambition compared to other late-night finales. Johnny Carson ended “The Tonight Show” in 1992 without guests, relying solely on classic clips. Jay Leno’s 2014 farewell featured Billy Crystal and Garth Brooks. David Letterman’s 2015 finale included Foo Fighters performing “Everlong” and a Top 10 list with Steve Martin, Chris Rock, and Tina Fey.

Across his 11-season run, Colbert’s show spanned pivotal moments: the rise and return of Trump, the pandemic, Joe Biden’s presidency, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the January 6 Capitol attack, and the growing influence of artificial intelligence.

“At a time when algorithms dictate so much of what people see, hear, and even believe, Stephen has been a shared anchor for millions,” former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a tribute video. “His satirical voice—rooted in a clear moral compass and deep love for this country—cut through the noise and helped reveal who we are as a nation.”