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Stephen Colbert exits 'The Late Show' with a mix of defiance and celebration

NPR | By David Bianculli

Published May 21, 2026 at 1:44 PM EDT

Colbert has approached the last weeks of his show on his own terms, with A-list guests like Tom Hanks, David Letterman and David Byrne — but the guests for tonight's finale remain a mystery.

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David Bianculli

David Bianculli is a guest host and TV critic on NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross. A contributor to the show since its inception, he has been a TV critic since 1975.