Stephen Colbert bid an unforgettable farewell to The Late Show after more than a decade at the helm, and he didn’t go out quietly. In a historic and surprise moment, the 62-year-old host welcomed Beatles legend Paul McCartney, 83, to the stage during the final episode. This appearance paid homage to the Beatles’ first U.S. TV performance at the Ed Sullivan Theatre 62 years ago, where McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison famously launched Beatlemania in America.
Just before McCartney’s surprise, Colbert joked that Pope Leo would be his final guest, only for the imposter pope to refuse to leave his dressing room, setting up a hilarious sketch that had the audience in stitches. Moments later, McCartney emerged from offstage, declaring he could be Colbert’s last guest. The crowd erupted as the host and music legend shared a warm embrace.
McCartney presented Colbert with a framed, colorized photo of the Beatles performing on the Ed Sullivan Show, signed and accompanied by a personal message. The audience erupted in excitement as Colbert read the inscription aloud, highlighting the historic significance of the gift.
Reflecting on the Beatles’ 1964 debut, McCartney recalled the energy and chaos of Beatlemania, describing Sullivan as a ‘really nice’ and ‘cool’ pioneer of television. Fans and the studio audience recreated the iconic screams from that historic performance, reliving the moment that transformed music history.
To close out the show, McCartney performed The Beatles’ 1967 hit “Hello, Goodbye” alongside Colbert and the Late Show band, which included Jon Batiste, Louis Cato, and Elvis Costello. The performance brought the audience to their feet as Colbert emotionally sang along, savoring his final moments on air.
Colbert, who took over The Late Show in September 2015 from David Letterman, hosted for nearly 11 years and has featured a star-studded roster including Taylor Swift, Ryan Reynolds, Jon Stewart, and Steven Spielberg. His rivals, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, aired reruns in solidarity for the departing host.
After the show, Colbert hosted a “Fired and Festive” wrap party at a nearby venue, with invitations featuring a red, white, and blue logo and the message ‘The LAST SHOW with Stephen Colbert – That’s a WRAP! (PARTY)’. Attendees included numerous celebrities, celebrating the legacy of the iconic late-night program.
