‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ is ending after 10 seasons, in May 2026

Stephen Colbert in 2018.Credit : 

Scott Kowalchyk/CBS via Getty

Stephen Colbert is already thinking about what’s next.

The late-night host, 61, is going to be out of a job after The Late Show with Stephen Colbert ends its 10-season run. However, during a Monday, July 28 episode of the show, Colbert hinted that he’s considering a second act in a related career path — podcasting.

On the episode, Colbert hosted Saturday Night Live star, Bowen Yang, and his Las Culturistas podcast cohost and friend Matt Rogers. During their conversation, the host asked the duo to “sell” him on the industry.

“I’m going to need a gig soon, so sell me on podcasting. Is it fun?” he asked Yang, 34, and Rogers, 35, whose podcast was recently included on Time Magazine’s list of the 100 all-time best podcasts.

Rogers joked that Las Culturistas likely landed at the bottom spot on the prestigious list, telling Colbert, “You start one, we’re getting bumped. Like almost certainly.”

Reflecting on their experience, Rogers said that the podcast’s success surprised them as they “knew” that “no one would listen” when they created it in 2016. Things changed during the pandemic, as people were longing for a sense of connection.

From left: Bowen Yang, Matt Rogers and Stephen Colbert on July 28, 2025.Scott Kowalchyk/CBS

He said, “That’s what they wanted, to connect and hear a friendship in action. Hear conversation between people who are over-caffeinated.”

Rogers’ ultimate piece of advice for the Late Show host was to keep it “real,” so that any potential podcast resonates with fans.

Meanwhile, Yang had an idea for what Colbert could do with a podcast. He pitched the late-night host on doing one that involved going on dates with his wife Evelyn “Evie” McGee Colbert and then recapping them.

“Dates with each other, right?” Colbert asked, prompting Yang to clarify, “That’s up to you.”

Colbert then asked Yang if he’d produce it and let the show join “the Las Culturistas empire.”

While on the show, Yang and Rogers also discussed The Las Culturistas Culture Awards, which will air on Bravo on Aug. 5.

From left: Bowen Yang, Matt Rogers and Stephen Colbert on July 28, 2025.Scott Kowalchyk/CBS

Colbert went through some of the categories, which include the likes of Best Vibe, Hands Down and the Filet Mignon Award for Best Beef.

Fellow late-night star Seth Meyers is up for the former, where he competes with the likes of Doechii and Top Chef: Canada.

Curious if there was ever a category that he could be nominated in, Colbert was surprised to find that Yang and Rogers had brought along an award for him. During the show, they presented him with the award for Best Future Podcaster.

Colbert announced the end of The Late Show during a July 17 taping, confirming that he wasn’t just being replaced but the show was being taken off the air.

In a statement the show’s network CBS shared with PEOPLE, the network said that the decision was “not related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.”

They instead described it as being “purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night.”

“Our admiration, affection, and respect for the talents of Stephen Colbert and his incredible team made this agonizing decision even more difficult,” the statement read. “Stephen has taken CBS late night by storm with cutting-edge comedy, a must-watch monologue and interviews with leaders in entertainment, politics, news and newsmakers across all areas.”

The show’s cancellation has been criticized by a number of celebrities, including Sandra Oh, who wished “a plague” upon the network and its parent company Paramount during an appearance on the July 21 episode.