All The Surprise Guests On Stephen Colbert’s Last Show, Including Paul McCartney

AI bias-comparison

Jimmy Kimmel delivered a farewell message during the final episode of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," encouraging viewers to tune in for the last broadcast. The show, which aired on CBS, marked the end of Colbert's 11-year tenure as host.

Coverage of this event varies significantly among outlets. The New York Times and Deadline emphasized the emotional aspects of Colbert's farewell, focusing on the sentiments expressed by Kimmel and the audience's reactions. In contrast, Mashable provided a more straightforward account, highlighting Kimmel's announcement about his own show without delving into the emotional undertones. All sources leaned towards a nostalgic framing, but the New York Times and Deadline particularly underscored the melancholy atmosphere surrounding the finale.

No outlet in the cluster addressed the broader implications of Colbert's departure for late-night television or the potential impact on CBS's programming strategy. This oversight reflects a blind spot in the coverage, particularly among the left-leaning sources that focused primarily on the emotional farewell rather than the show's future.

Headline framing

The headlines reflect a focus on emotional tributes and farewells to Stephen Colbert, with a notable emphasis on respect and melancholy from left-leaning sources.

Coverage by perspective

Lean Left · 4 sources

Deadline Lean Left

Stephen Colbert’s Final ‘Late Show’ Guests Start To Emerge Including Paul McCartney As Studio Audience “Moved” By Farewell

The studio audience was "moved" by the farewell for Colbert, who also had Ryan Reynolds and Paul Rudd among the guests for his final show.

Mixed Factuality · Other

NYT > Top Stories Lean Left

Outside Colbert’s Final Show, Fans From Near and Far Line Up for a Farewell

Hundreds of people, including a pope, staked out the Ed Sullivan Theater in Manhattan, hoping to get in, or just get a glimpse.

Mixed Factuality · Other

Deadline Lean Left

New Yorkers Bid A Melancholy Farewell To Stephen Colbert As ‘The Late Show’ Tapes Final Episode

'The Late Show's 11-year run on CBS ended on a muted note of melancholy among the few dozen fans who gathered outside New York's Ed Sullivan Theater.

Mixed Factuality · Other

NYT > Top Stories Lean Left

Jimmy Kimmel Pays His Respects to ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’

Kimmel said he hoped others will also tune in to CBS “for the last time” to watch Thursday’s “Late Show” finale.

Mixed Factuality · Other

Center · 3 sources

Billboard Center

Paul McCartney Is Stephen Colbert’s Final Musical Guest on ‘The Late Show’

Paul McCartney completed a full circle on the finale of "The Late Show," by visiting the scene of the Beatles' historic TV performance in 1964.

Mixed Factuality · Other

BBC News Center

Fans react to Stephen Colbert’s final show

The late-night host will appear behind his CBS desk for the final time after the network announced last summer that the show would end after 11 seasons.

High Factuality · Government-funded

Mashable Center

Jimmy Kimmel gives a moving farewell to Stephen Colbert

He also announced his own show won't be airing tomorrow.

Mixed Factuality · Other

Lean Right · 1 source

Forbes — Business Lean Right

All The Surprise Guests On Stephen Colbert’s Last Show, Including Paul McCartney

The special guests on the final 'Late Show with Stephen Colbert' included a Beatle, Jon Stewart, Ryan Reynolds, Tig Notaro, Paul Rudd and more.

Mixed Factuality · Other

Bias ratings: AllSides Media Bias Chart + Ad Fontes + MBFC consensus. AI comparison: Cerebras Llama 3.3-70B with light editorial prompt. No paywall, no tracking, reader-funded — support →