Stephen Colbert is opening up about the fast-approaching end of an era. During an interview that aired on Tuesday on Late Night with Seth Meyers, the host of The Late Show shared his candid feelings now that a final date has been set for his long-running CBS series.

With the series finale scheduled for Thursday, May 21, Colbert admitted to Meyers that the reality of the situation is finally sinking in. He noted that while he knew the end was coming, having only four months left makes it feel “real” in a way it hadn’t before. Colbert confessed to the audience and his longtime friend that he isn’t exactly thrilled about the show coming to a close.

Since taking over the reins from David Letterman in 2015, Colbert has made the Ed Sullivan Theater his home. However, while he expressed a deep love for the historic venue, he made it clear that the most difficult part of saying goodbye is leaving his staff. He specifically mentioned his executive producer, Tom Purcell, whom he has worked with since 1988. For Colbert, the show has always been about the people behind the scenes, many of whom have been by his side for decades.

The end of The Late Show marks a massive shift in the late-night landscape. CBS previously announced that they would be retiring the franchise entirely rather than seeking a replacement, calling Colbert “irreplaceable.” This move follows a turbulent period for the network’s parent company, Paramount Global, involving a high-profile merger with Skydance.

As the countdown to May begins, fans are preparing to say goodbye to a show that has been a staple of the 11:35 p.m. time slot. While Colbert hinted that he and his team will likely “do something else together” in the future, the closing of the Ed Sullivan Theater doors will undoubtedly be a somber moment for television history.

.@stephenathome talks about what he’ll miss most about working at @colbertlateshow pic.twitter.com/VRBz1rvuxB

— Late Night with Seth Meyers (@LateNightSeth) January 28, 2026