‘He made us laugh and he never flinched’: America says goodbye to The Late Show and Stephen Colbert

Celebrities, politicians and New Yorkers have paid their respects to Stephen Colbert as The Late Show aired its final episode on Thursday. The long-running chatshow, which started back in 1993, was cancelled last year by CBS, purportedly because of a financial decision. But many believed it was a result of the network’s increasing closenesss with Donald Trump , whom Colbert regularly criticised.

Last night’s episode saw the host bid an emotional farewell with the help of celebrity guests including Paul McCartney, Paul Rudd, Ryan Reynolds and Bryan Cranston. “We love doing the show for you but what we really love is doing the show with you,” he said to the audience at home. The final episode drew 6.74m viewers, more than double the season average. Colbert hosted more than 1,800 episodes of The Late Show, taking over the mantle from David Letterman. This week the former host criticised the decision to cancel the show, calling it a “huge mistake” in an interview. “I think we’re losing a valuable perspective,” he said. “I think it’s very, very important to the American culture.” Former president Joe Biden, who had previously guested on the show, also joined the chorus this week with a tribute on Instagram. “There aren’t many who can make people think and laugh at the same time,” he wrote . “For years, Stephen brought wit, heart, and honesty to late night television. America could always count on a laugh – and sometimes a needed reality check. Congrats on an incredible run, my friend.” Jane Fonda was among celebrities featured in a video put together by her newly relaunched Committee for the First Amendment . “He made us laugh and he never flinched,” the Oscar-winning actor said.

Key points

• Last night’s episode saw the host bid an emotional farewell with the help of celebrity guests including Paul McCartney, Paul Rudd, Ryan Reynolds and Bryan Cranston.
• “We love doing the show for you but what we really love is doing the show with you,” he said to the audience at home.
• The final episode drew 6.74m viewers, more than double the season average.
• Colbert hosted more than 1,800 episodes of The Late Show, taking over the mantle from David Letterman.
• This week the former host criticised the decision to cancel the show, calling it a “huge mistake” in an interview.