Colbert honors viewers in final ‘Late Show’ episode amid political turmoil: ‘Thanks for being here’

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Stephen Colbert hosted the final episode of 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' on Thursday, May 21, ending an 11-year run at the Ed Sullivan Theater with an emotional message to his audience, stating, “We were here to feel the news with you.”

He directly addressed the emotional bond shared with viewers through turbulent political times, concluding his final address by offering one last heartfelt “thank you for watching” before a parade of celebrity guests humorously interrupted the historic sign-off. 

Stephen Colbert reflects on 1,800 joyful episodes

Stepping onto the stage for his final broadcast, Colbert skipped the usual opening comedy sketches to speak directly to the studio audience and the people watching at home.

He explained that doing more than 1,800 episodes required immense work, but a positive attitude kept his crew going through the hardest times.

"Hi folks. We have done over 1,800 of these shows, and most nights I come out here and I talk to the audience beforehand, and tonight, I thought I'd talk to the audience in here and the audience out there at home. This show, I want you to know, and you to know, has been a joy for us to do for you. In fact, we call this show the "joy machine," all right? Louis [Cato] stole it from us, and we are currently in litigation right now."

"You better lawyer up, buddy! We call it the joy machine because to do this many shows, it has to be a machine. But the thing is, if you choose to do it with joy, it doesn't hurt as much when your fingers get caught in the gears. And I can't adequately explain to you what the people who work here have done for each other and how much we mean to each other. So I will just say− I would just say to them, you were all the great Achilles whom we knew," he added.

Stephen Colbert says viewers helped ‘feel the news’

Stephen Colbert then spoke about how his role changed over the years, noting that his job became less about delivering political punchlines and more about sharing real emotions with the public during difficult times.

"On night one of 'The Colbert Report' back in the day, I said, "Anyone can read the news to you, I promise to feel the news at you." And I realized pretty soon in this job that our job over here was different. We were here to feel the news with you. And I don't know about you, but I sure have felt it," Colbert explained.

He thanked the audience for giving him the energy needed to sustain the late-night program for more than a decade, highlighting the deep connection between the stage and the viewers at home. 

Bryan Cranston and Paul Rudd surprised Stephen Colbert during his emotional ‘Late Show’ farewell (@colbertlateshow/Instagram)

Stephen Colbert’s emotional farewell ends with celebrity surprises

To end his emotional speech, Colbert repeated the exact phrase he told every audience before a taping, offering a final token of appreciation to everyone who watched and supported the show.

"That's exactly right. Because we love doing this show for you, but what we really, really love is doing the show with you. Now, I'll say to you what I've said to every audience for the last 11 years, and I have meant it every time: Have a good show. Thanks for being here. And let's do it, y'all."

After these remarks, the show turned into a typical final episode filled with self-deprecating jokes and news monologues about sinkholes and viruses.

The historic sign-off quickly became a celebration when actors like Bryan Cranston and Paul Rudd walked out to humorously interrupt the host and say goodbye.