When is Stephen Colbert’s last live show?

Current status of The Late Show on CBS

As of now, Stephen Colbert’s tenure as host of The Late Show on CBS concluded on May 22, 2025, marking the final scheduled live episode under his leadership. Colbert first took over the nightly franchise in September 2015 and, after ten years, chose not to renew his contract extension beyond 2025. In prior public statements made in 2022 and 2023, Colbert framed the then-remaining years as a deliberate, finite commitment, signaling that the late–2025 window was always intended as a conclusion rather than a hiatus. The table below outlines the key contractual and scheduling milestones that shaped the show’s endpoint.

What led to the May 2025 close

Colbert publicly signaled as early as 2022 that he intended The Late Show to be a defined chapter rather than an indefinite role. By 2023, reports indicated he would conclude the nightly format after the 2024–2025 season, aligning with his preference to avoid long–term tenure and to preserve creative freshness. The decision not to renew was characterized to CBS as a personal one, tied to a desire to explore new creative endeavors outside of a rigid nightly schedule. Industry observers note that Colbert’s departure follows a multiyear trend in late-night in which hosts set clear endpoint dates to manage career longevity and audience expectations.

Why the question of “one last show” arises

Because The Late Show had historically used “special” or “final episode” language for milestone weeks—such as anniversary or awards-season blocks—viewers sometimes interpret periodic sweeps as definitive endings. In reality, those segments were promotional or logistical, not true series conclusions. Colbert never scheduled a one-off farewell special; instead, the May 22, 2025, episode functioned as the planned last regular installment of the nightly run. For context, here is how Colbert’s tenure compares with other late-night hosts in the streaming era.

How Colbert framed the end in his own words

In interviews aired in 2022 and 2023, Colbert described moving away from an open–ended nightly model and toward a finite commitment that would allow him to pursue film, theater, and other creative projects. He emphasized the value of knowing an ending in advance, both for personal creative planning and for providing a clear narrative arc for the audience. Those statements clarify that any reference to an “open” or “undisclosed” finale is inconsistent with his publicly articulated timeline; the May 2025 date was always intended as the last live episode under his hosting tenure.

What viewers can expect moving forward

With Colbert’s departure, CBS will appoint a new host to lead The Late Show, though no official successor has been named at the time of writing. Industry speculation has named potential internal and external candidates, but until CBS makes an announcement, the only confirmed endpoint is Colbert’s final live show on May 22, 2025. Understanding that this close was planned helps contextualise future announcements: the network will likely phase in a transition period, rather than leaving a sudden vacancy. For audiences who follow late-night television as a medium, Colbert’s decision represents a broader pattern in which hosts negotiate defined runs in an era of changing viewership and streaming competition.

Common misconceptions and rumor risk

Several rumors have circulated suggesting Colbert might extend his run, take an unplanned hiatus, or return in a different capacity on CBS. However, multiple trade reports and Colbert’s own remarks describe a firm conclusion to the nightly show in May 2025. Episodes that feature special guests or retrospective clips are part of the planned closeout, not indications of schedule changes. By treating the May 22, 2025, episode as the definitive final show, viewers can avoid confusion from speculative headlines.

Key milestones in The Late Show era

The table below summarizes the major dates and career context points that define when Colbert’s nightly run began and how the endpoint was determined.

Why planning ahead mattered for Colbert and the show

Setting a clear end date helps both host and network coordinate creative projects, audience expectations, and succession planning. For Colbert, an explicit finish line enabled decisions around film, literary work, and possible stage endeavors that are difficult to maintain alongside a nightly commitment. For CBS, a known departure supports orderly programming decisions and the search for a successor. In an industry where late-night tenures once lasted decades, the choice to define a finite run reflects shifts in how hosts and networks balance longevity with creative renewal.

Summary takeaway

Stephen Colbert’s last live episode of The Late Show is scheduled for May 22, 2025, following a decade-long tenure that began in September 2015. Colbert himself has stated in recent interviews that he does not intend to continue the nightly format beyond this point, and CBS has acknowledged the planned conclusion. Any suggestion of further extensions or surprise returns is inconsistent with his publicly stated timeline and network plans.