bid farewell to the the Late Show after over a decade on the air - but not without an epic final guest.
Showbiz
Colberts Final Guest Revealed After Popes Cancellation
Stephen Colbert bid farewell to the the Late Show after over a decade on the air - but not without an epic final guest. Half way through the last-ever episode, ...
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Half way through e, the 62-year-old host unexpectedly welcomed legend , 83, to the stage.
The moment proved historic as McCartney and his Beatles bandmates - , and - famously made their first TV appearance in the United States at the Ed Sullivan Theatre, where Colbert is filmed, in 1964.
Moments before McCartney's surprise appearance, Colbert joked that Pope Leo was set to be his final guest but that he refused to leave his dressing room.
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The scenario played out in a hilarious sketch with Colbert begging a fake Pope Leo to leave his dressing room before the imposter threw a Chicago-style hot dog in disgust.
'The Pope - who was definitely my guest tonight - has canceled,' Colbert exclaimed from behind his desk.
Stephen Colbert bid farewell to the the Late Show after over a decade on the air - but not without an epic final guest appearance
Just minutes before the conclusion of his last-ever episode, the 62-year-old host welcomed Beatles legend Paul McCartney , 83, to the stage
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'We already sent the other stars away,' Colbert said, referring to cameos from Ryan Reynolds and other A-listers who stopped by the studio. 'This is terrible.'
He then asked, 'Who is going to be my last guest now?'
The audience went wild for the music legend
The moment proved historic as McCartney and his Beatles bandmates - John Lennon , Ringo Starr and George Harrison - famously made their first TV appearance in the United States at the Ed Sullivan Theatre, where Colbert is filmed; seen in 1964
His rivals, Live! and The Tonight Show with , will both air reruns on Thursday night out of respect for the departing star.
Colbert shockingly announced on July 17 that Paramount/CBS would not be renewing his contract after 11 years on the air, and they would end the late-night program.
At the time, the network claimed it was 'purely a financial decision,' but the cancellation came days after Colbert called Paramount/CBS's $16 million lawsuit settlement with President 'a big fat bribe.'
Paramount was also in the midst of a multibillion-dollar merger with the movie studio Skydance, which requires the government approval of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Immediately after the show ends, Colbert will be hosting a Fired and Festive wrap party for the Late Show.
Moments before McCartney's surprise appearance, Colbert joked that Pope Leo was set to be his final guest but that he refused to leave his dressing room
The scenario played out in a hilarious sketch with Colbert begging a fake Pope Leo to leave his dressing room before the imposter threw a Chicago-style hot dog in disgust
As Colbert moaned that all his 'stars' had already left for the night, McCartney emerged from offstage and offered to be the host's last guest
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