Stephen Colbert ended his tenure as host of 'The Late Show' on a largely celebratory note, while also including humorous critiques aimed at CBS and its parent company, Paramount.

The final episode featured appearances from several high-profile celebrities, including Bryan Cranston, Paul Rudd, Tim Meadows, and John Lennon’s fellow Beatles legend Paul McCartney, who was the program's last guest.

Colbert wove a recurring comedic theme involving a black hole/interdimensional portal, symbolically confronting the uncertain future of late-night television and the company’s leadership.

He shared a poignant on-stage moment with fellow late-night host Jon Stewart, highlighting the tension between creative freedom and corporate oversight.

The episode included playful references to technical glitches, backstage antics, and celebrity cameos, culminating in Colbert, his team, and the audience being absorbed into the black hole before returning for a final musical performance with McCartney.The show closed with a rendition of The Beatles’ 'Hello, Goodbye,' marking the official end of Colbert’s era at the Ed Sullivan Theater.Beyond the humor, the farewell subtly addressed ongoing debates about corporate influence in media and late-night programming decisions.