Colbert and McCartney close Late Show’s final chapter

Stephen Colbert closed the curtain on The Late Show Wednesday night with an unannounced appearance by Sir Paul McCartney, delivering a finale that punctuated 33 years of live television history. The CBS program, which began in 1991 under David Letterman’s stewardship, concluded with Colbert and McCartney performing ‘Hey Jude’ together on stage, a moment the audience did not see coming.

McCartney, who had never appeared on the show before, arrived unannounced and walked on stage minutes after Colbert joked about the lack of star power in that night’s guest lineup. The Beatles legend, wearing a black T-shirt and jeans, sat at a piano and launched into the song, with Colbert joining on vocals. The audience erupted as the pair traded lines, the familiar melody filling the Ed Sullivan Theater before the screen faded to black.

The finale capped a week of tributes, including archival clips and messages from past guests like Oprah Winfrey and Bill Clinton. Colbert, visibly moved, told the crowd, “This isn’t just the end of a show. It’s the end of an era.” The episode drew 7.8 million viewers, making it the highest-rated Late Show finale since 2015.

McCartney’s participation was kept under wraps until the moment he walked on stage. Behind the scenes, producers had only briefed Colbert on the plan hours earlier. The singer, who had been in New York for unrelated business, agreed to the surprise after Colbert called him directly.

Colbert, who took over The Late Show in 2015, leaves behind a program known for sharp satire, political commentary, and musical surprises. His final monologue included a nod to the show’s legacy, quoting Letterman’s iconic sign-off: “Be good to each other.” The Late Show will be replaced next fall by a new late-night program from CBS.

McCartney, who last performed on CBS in 1966 during The Ed Sullivan Show, became the first musician to appear on both iconic programs. His presence underscored the cultural weight of The Late Show’s finale, uniting two pillars of American television history in a single moment.

Colbert’s team confirmed Wednesday that no encore episodes are planned. The Ed Sullivan Theater will undergo renovations before the new show begins taping in October. Until then, the marquee outside bears one final message: “Thank You, New York.”