After working on “The Late Show” for 11 years, host Stephen Colbert is saying goodbye. On Thursday, May 21, the show officially ended, and Colbert marked the moment with a heartfelt speech.
Stephen Colbert Bids Farewell to ‘The Late Show’
“The Late Show” began in 1993 and was hosted by David Letterman, whose final episode aired on May 20, 2015. Letterman was succeeded by Colbert, who has worked steadily on this gig for over 1,800 shows. Understandably, he was heartbroken to have to say goodbye to everyone involved in its production and the legion of loyal fans who watched it week after week. CBS announced the show’s cancellation last summer.
Colbert’s farewell speech was shared on Instagram by the official “The Late Show” account. “Folks, we have done over 1,800 of these shows, and most nights, I come out here, and I talk to the audience beforehand,” Colbert began. “And tonight, I thought I’d talk to the audience in here and the audience out there at home.”
He continued, “This show, I want you to know and you to know, has been a joy for us to do for you … I cannot 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 to them, you are all the great Achilles whom we knew.”
The End of an Era for Late Night Television
Colbert reflected on how he wanted to do more than read the news to his viewers; he wanted to “feel the news.” He continued, “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. And I just want to let all y’all know, in here and out there, how important you’ve been to what we have done. The energy that you have given us, we sincerely need that to have done the best possible show we could have for you for the last 11 years. You’ve given it to us, we’ve given it all right back to you.”
He concluded his speech by offering nothing but gratitude, thanking the audience for their continued support. His final parting sentence was, “Thanks for being here. And let’s do it, y’all.”
Fans Show Support for Stephen Colbert After ‘The Late Show’ Cancellation
The Instagram post has been flooded with reactions from fans eager to share their thoughts on “The Late Show” and its cancellation. They also wanted to show their support for Colbert. “The cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s show only proves why his voice mattered,” a comment reads. “In an era of silence, he kept challenging power fearlessly. Truth to power has always made the powerful uncomfortable.”
“Not watching CBS after this show. We (heart) Colbert,” another fan wrote.
Other reactions include, “The biggest mistake CBS has ever made was canceling this great man,” “The country still needs your voice. Your leadership, and your courage. Many of us will follow wherever you go. CBS lost far more than a host tonight,” and “this feels like a funeral, and i’m so sad.”
