Written by Check out video from the last episode of the late night franchise including a surprise Macca takeover.
By Nate Todd May 22, 2026 • 11:11 am PDT
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert came to a close in the coolest way possible last night. Paul McCartney made a surprise appearance, returning to the very theatre where The Beatles made their American debut on the Ed Sullivan Show over 60 years ago.
The finale of Colbert’s tenure on The Late Show, as well as the late night franchise as a whole, began with legends of late night introducing the show. Following Colbert’s final monologue and signature segment “Meanwhile,” Paul McCartney sat down to chat with Stephen.
Macca shared some of his recollections of The Beatles’ American debut on the Ed Sullivan Show in February 1964. The world-changing event took place in the theatre where the Late Show was filmed, which now carries Ed Sullivan’s name.
McCartney then joined Stephen, current Colbert bandleader Louis Cato, original Colbert bandleader Jon Batiste, Elvis Costello and The Great Big Joy Machine band for a fitting rendition of The Beatles classic “Hello Goodbye.”
Watch the performance below including a rendition of the Elvis Costello 1977 cut “Jump” and scroll on for more content from The Late Show With Stephen Colbert finale:
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