Stephen Colbert bid farewell to the Late Show after nearly 11 years, but not without an epic final guest appearance. Just minutes before the conclusion of his last-ever episode, the 62-year-old host welcomed Beatles legend Paul McCartney, 83, to the stage.
The moment proved historic as McCartney and his Beatles bandmates — John Lennon, Ringo Starr and George Harrison — famously made their first television appearance in the United States at the Ed Sullivan Theatre, where Colbert's show is filmed. The surprise performance brought the late-night series to a close with a nod to music history.
Colbert, who took over the Late Show in 2015 after David Letterman's retirement, has been a staple of American late-night television. His final episode was filled with emotional moments and tributes, but McCartney's appearance was the highlight, drawing cheers from the audience and viewers at home.
The Beatles' debut on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964 is considered a landmark moment in pop culture, and Colbert's choice to have McCartney close out his tenure underscored the significance of the venue and the enduring legacy of the band.
