Paul McCartney Guests on Final ‘Late Show’ Episode, Performing ‘Hello Goodbye’ With Stephen Colbert at Ed Sullivan Theater Farewell

The final episode of ‘The Late Show With Stephen Colbert’ featured a surprise and symbolic appearance by Paul McCartney, who helped close out the long-running program with a memorable musical and emotional sendoff. McCartney joined Colbert on stage at the historic Ed Sullivan Theater, a venue deeply tied to Beatles history, for a performance of the classic song ‘Hello Goodbye.’ The finale brought together a wide ensemble, including Elvis Costello, former bandleader Jon Batiste, and current bandleader Louis Cato, with the house band eventually transforming the performance into a New Orleans-style celebration. Staff members also joined in, dancing across the stage as part of the show’s festive conclusion.

A key moment in the broadcast showed Colbert escorting McCartney backstage to the theater’s electrical controls, where the musician ceremonially flipped the switch that turned off the lights. The act was staged as both a literal ending and a symbolic closure, as the theater briefly transformed into a surreal green-lit portal introduced earlier in the episode. McCartney also served as the final interview guest, reflecting on The Beatles’ historic 1964 appearance on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show,’ which helped launch Beatlemania in the United States.

The finale included additional comedic and musical segments featuring guests such as Bryan Cranston, Paul Rudd, Ryan Reynolds, and others, alongside appearances from Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, and John Oliver in a fictionalized narrative sequence involving a “wormhole.” The episode largely avoided political commentary, focusing instead on nostalgia, humor, and music. The broadcast extended beyond its scheduled runtime, underscoring the significance of the farewell. The episode marked the end of Colbert’s tenure while honoring the Ed Sullivan Theater’s long entertainment legacy.