Stephen Colbert’s recent absence from The Late Show has stirred curiosity and concern among fans, especially following the announcement that the show’s upcoming season will be its last. The nine-time Primetime Emmy Award-winning host revealed on Thursday, July 17, that the next season would mark the end of his celebrated late-night run — a revelation that left audiences feeling both nostalgic and disappointed.
As reruns from earlier this year take over the airwaves, speculation about Colbert’s absence has been running wild online. But the truth, as it turns out, is far less dramatic — it’s simply summertime downtime. Like many late-night hosts, Colbert takes a seasonal break, allowing reruns to air in his absence. While Colbert and Jimmy Fallon favor this approach, fellow host Jimmy Kimmel opts for guest hosts during his own time off.
Fans can rest easy knowing that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will return with fresh episodes on Tuesday, September 2, with the host back at the helm, delivering his signature humor and sharp political wit.
In the meantime, CBS is keeping viewers entertained with a lineup of star-studded encore episodes:
- Monday: George Clooney and Alan Ritchson
- Tuesday: David Oyelowo, Finn Wolfhard, and Alan Cumming
- Wednesday: Senator Bernie Sanders
- Thursday: John Oliver
- Friday: Bad Bunny and Leanne Morgan
While the countdown to the show’s return is on, fans are savoring these encore appearances, knowing that the next season will be their last chance to enjoy Colbert’s unique brand of late-night comedy.
