Stephen Colbert appeared to deliver one final joke aimed at CBS during the finale of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, which officially ended its run this week after years on television.
The final episode featured appearances from several major Hollywood stars, including Bryan Cranston, Paul Rudd, Tim Meadows and Ryan Reynolds.
Colbert’s final on-air joke
Toward the end of the show, Colbert jokingly suggested his band might cost the network “millions in royalties” by playing music associated with the Peanuts franchise without permission.
“Peanuts is a powerful brand and corporation in and of itself,” Colbert told the audience.
“Anyone illegally using that music is gonna have to pay through the nose.”
He then asked bandleader Louis Cato whether the group was currently playing the same copyrighted music he had just warned against using.
After Cato replied “Yes,” Colbert jokingly responded:
“Oh no! I hope this doesn’t cost CBS any money!”
The moment quickly spread online, with many viewers calling it a playful final jab at the network following the show’s cancellation.
CBS previously called cancellation a “financial decision”
CBS announced last year that The Late Show franchise would end in 2026, describing the move as purely financial amid broader challenges facing late-night television.
In its statement at the time, CBS said:
“We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire The Late Show franchise at that time.”
The network also stressed that the decision was “not related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.”
Speculation surrounding the cancellation
Despite CBS’s explanation, some viewers and political commentators speculated that the cancellation may have been connected to Colbert’s outspoken criticism of President Donald Trump over the years.
Trump publicly celebrated news of the cancellation when it was first announced, criticizing Colbert on Truth Social.
Following the finale this week, Trump again commented on the host’s departure in another social media post.
End of a late-night era
Colbert took over The Late Show in 2015 following the retirement of David Letterman and became one of the most recognizable faces in modern late-night television.
Known for mixing political satire with celebrity interviews, his version of the show became particularly influential during election cycles and major political events.
The ending of the series marks the close of a major chapter in American late-night television history.
Fans react to final episode
Many fans praised Colbert’s finale online, calling his closing joke a fitting sendoff after years of sharp humor and commentary.
Some viewers described the final moment as one of the most memorable exits in late-night television, while others shared emotional tributes thanking the host for more than a decade of entertainment.
