Stephen Colbert concluded his run on 'The Late Show' with a farewell episode filled with emotional tributes, celebrity appearances, and comedic jabs at CBS following the show's cancellation.

The finale included a performance by Paul McCartney of The Beatles’ “Hello, Goodbye,” after which McCartney joined Colbert backstage in a humorous moment where he theatrically 'pulled the plug' on the Ed Sullivan Theater, a playful reference to CBS ending the franchise.

Colbert also made a witty remark during a segment about Peanuts music rights, joking about potential legal repercussions while his band played the licensed music live on air, eliciting laughter from the audience.

The episode featured appearances from fellow late-night hosts Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, John Oliver, and longtime collaborator Jon Stewart, who mocked CBS for canceling the long-running show.

CBS announced the end of the 'Late Show' franchise in 2025 for financial reasons, a decision that drew backlash from viewers and industry figures, especially after Colbert criticized Paramount regarding a settlement connected to Donald Trump and a disputed '60 Minutes' interview.The finale was both a celebratory and pointed goodbye to a show that had been a staple of late-night television.