Stephen Colbert’s Final Week on *The Late Show* Unveils Star-Studded Guest Lineup

CBS announced the roster of guests for the last four episodes of *The Late Show with Stephen Colbert* as the program approaches its series finale. The Tuesday, May 19 episode will feature interviews with filmmaker Steven Spielberg and *Daily Show* alumnus Jon Stewart, plus a musical performance by David Byrne alongside Colbert. The Wednesday, May 20 episode will include a performance by Bruce Springsteen, additional special guests, and Colbert’s first self-hosted “The Colbert Questionert.” The Thursday, May 21 finale has not yet been detailed.

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The announced schedule marks the concluding week of Colbert’s tenure as host of *The Late Show*, a period during which the program has intensified its guest roster. Earlier weeks have featured high-profile figures such as Oprah Winfrey, former President Barack Obama, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and original host David Letterman, who returned for a stunt involving the Ed Sullivan Theater roof.

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• Stephen Colbert – Host, *The Late Show*

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• CBS – Broadcast network airing the series

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• Steven Spielberg – Filmmaker, interview guest (May 19)

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• Jon Stewart – Television host, interview guest (May 19)

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• David Byrne – Musician, performance guest (May 19)

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• Bruce Springsteen – Musician, performance guest (May 20)

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• Oprah Winfrey, Barack Obama, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, David Letterman, The Strokes, Michael Stipe, Chris Stapleton, Foo Fighters – Previously announced guests for the final weeks

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• Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel – Late-night hosts whose shows will air repeats on May 21

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• Monday, May 18 – Guest-less episode; Colbert revisits “The Worst” segment; episode described as “not a clip show.”

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• Tuesday, May 19 – Interviews with Steven Spielberg and Jon Stewart; David Byrne performance.

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• Wednesday, May 20 – Bruce Springsteen performance; special guests; Colbert answers “The Colbert Questionert.”

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• Thursday, May 21 – Series finale (details pending).

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• Four episodes comprise the final week (May 18–21).

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• Twelve distinct high-profile guests have been publicly confirmed for the closing stretch, spanning film, television, politics, and music.

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• Two competing late-night programs (Fallon, Kimmel) will broadcast repeats on the finale night, ceding the spotlight to *The Late Show*.

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The concentrated appearance of prominent cultural and political figures underscores the network’s effort to maximize viewership and cultural impact as the program transitions. The guest lineup reflects the show’s broad influence across entertainment, politics, and music, and highlights the significance of Colbert’s departure within the late-night landscape.

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CBS communicated the guest schedule through a formal announcement, specifying interview and performance line-ups for May 19 and 20 while noting that the May 21 finale remains undisclosed. The network also confirmed that rival late-night programs will air repeats on the finale night, effectively allowing *The Late Show* to dominate the broadcast slot.

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Public information does not yet reveal the full roster or format of the May 21 series finale, leaving a gap in the complete picture of the concluding episode.

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• “The Colbert Questionert” — Stephen Colbert, Host

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• “The Worst” — Stephen Colbert, Host

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• “not a clip show!” — Stephen Colbert, Host

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The series finale on Thursday, May 21 will air later in the week, with details pending further announcements. Following the finale, *The Late Show* will transition to a new host, while the network’s schedule will adjust accordingly.

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