the late show with stephen colbert

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is an American late-night news talk show hosted by Stephen Colbert that premiered on September 8, 2015. It is the second and final iteration of CBS's Late Show franchise and is taped at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City, the same studio used by the previous Late Show with David Letterman. The show airs new episodes live to tape Monday through Thursday nights and mixes satirical news commentary, political humor, celebrity interviews, and musical performances. Colbert hosts the show as himself, focusing heavily on current events and American politics, differentiating it from his prior satirical character on The Colbert Report. As of 2025, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert has been the highest-rated American late-night talk show for nine consecutive seasons. However, CBS announced the franchise will end in May 2026 after 33 years, with Colbert's tenure lasting 11 seasons. Key features include a blend of news satire, sketch comedy, and interviews, with a particularly political guest lineup and content. The house band, initially led by Jon Batiste and called Stay Human, was succeeded by Louis Cato and renamed The Late Show Band in 2022. The show has occasionally aired live episodes to cover significant political events like conventions and elections. Colbert's style emphasizes satire, mockery, and a strong focus on political themes, maintaining a sharp and distinctive voice in the late-night space.