The Late Show with Stephen Colbert heads into its final week starting Monday night. But fans expecting a parade of blockbuster celebrity farewells may be surprised by the guest lineup Stephen Colbert has assembled for his last episodes behind the desk.
Rather than stacking the week with wall-to-wall A-list stars or reunion spectacles, Colbert appears to be taking a far more restrained approach for the show’s final stretch. Outside of a handful of notable appearances, the final week seems designed less as a celebrity showcase and more as a celebration of Colbert along with the writers, producers, crew, and staff who built the show over the last 11 years.
Speculation grew in the weeks leading up to the May 21 finale as fans predicted and wishcast who would help Colbert close out The Late Show. But the relative lack of star power in the final four shows shouldn't be that big of a surprise considering what audiences got to see last week.
Last week’s episodes already felt like the show’s true “guest event” week, particularly with appearances from Colbert’s fellow late-night hosts, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, Jimmy Kimmel, and John Oliver, as well as Late Show legend David Letterman.
In hindsight, that lineup may have quietly signaled that the final week would shift focus away from outside stars and toward the legacy of the show itself. CBS officially unveiled the schedule for the show’s last four episodes, and it’s a lineup that mixes retrospectives, music, and a few carefully chosen guests rather than an endless stream of celebrity drop-ins. Then again, maybe Colbert has a few surprises left up his sleeve that the Late Show wants to keep under wraps.
Monday’s episode, titled The Worst of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (Not A Clip Show!), appears set to lean heavily into the self-deprecating comedy. The title alone suggests Colbert is avoiding a straightforward sentimental retrospective in favor of something weirder and more in line with the show’s personality. Perhaps it will look back at the times when things went wrong or off the rails, beginning with the first episode that almost didn't make it to air.
Tuesday’s episode will feature Jon Stewart and Steven Spielberg, along with a special performance by David Byrne and Colbert himself. Stewart’s appearance feels especially fitting given his longtime friendship and creative history with Colbert dating back to The Daily Show and The Colbert Report.
Wednesday’s installment will feature Colbert taking “The Colbert Questionert” himself alongside special guests, turning one of the show’s signature recurring bits back onto the host. Bruce Springsteen is also scheduled to perform.
Then, on Thursday, May 21, CBS will air the series finale of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, bringing an end to Colbert’s 11-year run as host.
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