Wednesday, May 13, 2026-Stephen Colbert is getting a major sendoff as his CBS program, The Late Show, approaches its final episode on May 21, 2026, with an unusual wave of solidarity sweeping across late-night television.
Fellow hosts—including Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, and John Oliver—have repeatedly appeared alongside Colbert in recent broadcasts, joking, celebrating, and reflecting on the future of the genre as the long-running show comes to an end. The gatherings have turned what is usually a competitive TV space into a coordinated farewell moment.
One of the most notable moments in this final stretch is the return of the “Strike Force Five” lineup, where Colbert reunited with Fallon, Kimmel, Meyers, and Oliver on-air for a special group appearance.
The segment highlighted both their rivalry and friendship, with playful banter and shared acknowledgment of how late-night television is shifting as Colbert’s exit closes a major chapter in network talk shows.
These appearances have also extended beyond Colbert’s show, with some hosts adjusting their own schedules or airing repeats in a show of respect during his final week.
The farewell has grown beyond television into a broader entertainment moment, with multiple specials, guest appearances, and coordinated tributes building toward the final broadcast. CBS announced last year that the program would end in May 2026 as part of a wider restructuring of its late-night lineup, despite the show remaining a top performer in the category.
As the finale approaches, the tone across the industry is less about ratings and rivalry and more about legacy—marking the end of a defining era in American late-night television while signaling a reshaped future for the genre.
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