Stephen Colbert and David Byrne Burn Down the House Ahead of Late Show Finale
Stephen Colbert and David Byrne Burn Down the House Ahead of Late Show Finale
Stephen Colbert is going out in style! Watch his fiery performance with David Byrne as The Late Show nears its finale. Plus, what’s next for the 11:35 PM time slot?
Stephen Colbert is getting ready to turn out the lights on The Late Show, and he’s making sure the exit is one to remember. On Tuesday night, musical legend David Byrne joined Colbert for a high-energy rendition of the Talking Heads classic 'Burning Down the House.' The performance saw Byrne and his band, Why Is The Sky?, decked out in matching blue suits, with Colbert eventually jumping in to join the jam. With actual flames projected on the screens behind them, it felt like a truly fiery sendoff for the long-time host.
The clock is officially ticking, as the series finale is set to air on May 21, 2026. Colbert’s final week is packed with star power; while Byrne rocked the house on Tuesday, the penultimate episode on May 20 will feature none other than 'The Boss' himself, Bruce Springsteen. Other late-night titans like Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon have even decided to air reruns on the night of Colbert’s finale, a rare move intended to give him the full spotlight for his final bow.
While CBS officially cited financial decisions for the show's cancellation back in 2025, the move has been clouded by the political landscape. Many industry insiders point to the network’s parent company, Paramount, and its $16 million settlement with Donald Trump over a 60 Minutes dispute, as well as a major merger with Skydance Media, as significant factors in the decision to part ways with the politically vocal host.
Change is coming fast to the 11:35 p.m. time slot. Byron Allen’s Comics Unleashed is set to take over the space, and Allen has been very clear about the new direction: there will be 'no politics' on his watch. It marks a stark departure from the satire-heavy era that Colbert defined for over a decade. As for Colbert, he’s already looking forward to a quieter schedule, recently sharing his simple plans for the morning after his final show—starting with a well-deserved break from the daily grind.
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