The Late Present finale can be a star-studded occasion with a leaked checklist of movie star visitors that features singer Paul McCartney.
Stephen Colbert and his crew tried to maintain tonight’s visitor appearances below wraps, however some particulars have been revealed after the present was taped earlier at present.
McCartney was one of many visitors within the Ed Sullivan Theater at present, returning once more to the studio the place he and the remainder of The Beatles carried out dwell in 1964, Deadline has reported.
Different stars embrace actors Paul Rudd, Bryan Cranston and Ryan Reynolds, in response to the outlet. Former Late Present bandleader Jon Batiste additionally reportedly carried out for the finale.
The cancellation of the Emmy-winning comic’s present was introduced final July and got here days after Colbert criticized the community’s dad or mum firm, Paramount, over a $16 million settlement with President Donald Trump.
Trump’s authorized workforce accused 60 Minutes of deceptively modifying a 2024 interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris.
Trump stated he would “have a message at a later date” when requested for his ideas on the top of Colbert’s present.
After internet hosting the present for greater than a decade, Colbert’s “prolonged” finale will air at 11:35 p.m. ET Thursday night time.
Late Present makes large effort to cover shock visitors for finale
The Late Present has taken the secrecy of tonight’s visitors very significantly, with a safety tower stationed exterior the Ed Sullivan Theater to protect the id of anybody getting into.
The tower on the stage door had heavy curtains and safety guards round it, Deadline detailed.
“Whoever you’re, we love you!” one fan yelled.
Rachel Dobkin22 Could 2026 02:00
Trump’s political rivals bathe Stephen Colbert with reward forward of Late Present finale
President Donald Trump’s political rivals have showered Stephen Colbert with reward forward of the Late Present finale.
“There aren’t many who could make folks assume and snort on the identical time. For years, Stephen introduced wit, coronary heart, and honesty to late night time tv,” former President Joe Biden wrote on Instagram.
“America may all the time depend on fun — and generally a wanted actuality verify. Congrats on an unimaginable run, my good friend,” he added.
Hillary Clinton, Trump’s opponent throughout the 2016 election, wrote on Instagram, “Alongside his nice wit, Stephen introduced deep thoughtfulness, empathy, and humility to the late-night stage.”
Rachel Dobkin22 Could 2026 01:30
Late Present staffer shares video of Colbert’s heat up act earlier than finale
Paul Mecurio, a comic on the Late Present, has shared a video of Colbert’s heat up act earlier than the finale.
Within the video posted to X, Colbert’s colleagues are seen and heard clapping. Colbert then bangs onto a storage rack backstage, becoming a member of in on the beat.
After one last take a look at his crew, Colbert walks on stage to the taping of tonight’s present.
The dwell viewers may be heard cheering loudly because the host seems from backstage.
Rachel Dobkin22 Could 2026 01:00
Stephen Colbert walked on stage to ‘deafening cheers’ throughout Late Present taping: report
Stephen Colbert walked on stage to “deafening cheers” throughout the taping of the Late Present finale, in response to CNN’s Brian Stelter.
Rachel Dobkin22 Could 2026 00:30
Who can be on the Late Present tonight?
The Late Present has determined to maintain its finale a shock to followers.
Viewers received’t know who tonight’s visitors can be till they stroll out on stage, and the segments have additionally been below wraps.
There are some visitors we may presumably cancel out, together with his longtime good friend Jon Stewart. The comic appeared on the present earlier this week.
It’s additionally unlikely his fellow late night time hosts Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers and John Oliver will seem tonight, since they have been on the present final week.
Rachel Dobkin22 Could 2026 00:00
Kamala Harris thanks Stephen Colbert for ‘so many memorable conversations’
Former Vice President Kamala Harris has paid tribute to Stephen Colbert’s time on late night time TV, thanking him for “so many memorable conversations.”
“Stephen Colbert has a expertise for making folks snort and inspiring them to remain curious, keep engaged, and keep hopeful concerning the world round them,” she wrote on X forward of his last present.
CBS’ Late Present was canceled days after Colbert criticized the community’s dad or mum firm, Paramount, over a $16 million settlement with President Donald Trump.
The settlement was a part of a authorized dispute wherein Trump’s workforce accused 60 Minutes of deceptively modifying a 2024 interview with Harris, his political opponent within the final presidential election.
Rachel Dobkin21 Could 2026 23:30
Trump sends Stephen Colbert a warning forward of ultimate Late Present airing
Donald Trump isn’t letting Stephen Colbert fade into the sundown with out having the final phrase.
The White Home additionally issued its personal assertion to The Impartial, celebrating Colbert’s last present.
Rhian Lubin21 Could 2026 23:00
Why was the Late Present canceled?
The community introduced the cancellation final July in an announcement, describing Colbert as “irreplaceable” and citing a “monetary choice.”
“As somebody who’s all the time been a proud worker of this community, I’m offended. And I don’t know if something will ever restore my belief on this firm,” the host stated. “However simply taking a stab at it, I’d say $16 million would assist.”
Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren, a frequent Colbert visitor, questioned CBS’s motives, demanding that “America deserves to know if his present was canceled for political causes.”
“CBS canceled Colbert’s present simply THREE DAYS after Colbert known as out CBS dad or mum firm Paramount for its $16M settlement with Trump – a deal that appears like bribery,” she advised on X, alongside a clip of Colbert’s present wherein he denounced Paramount’s settlement.
Inga Parkel21 Could 2026 22:30
Stars pay tribute to Colbert forward of ultimate present
The celebrities have been paying tribute to Stephen Colbert on social media forward of his last Late Present tonight.
Fellow late-night host Conan O’Brien stated Colbert was transferring on to “larger and higher issues,” whereas Star Wars actor Mark Hamill thanked him for “many years of snickers.”
Rhian Lubin21 Could 2026 22:00
Pictured: Followers line up within the rain forward of Colbert’s last present
Rhian Lubin21 Could 2026 21:30









