CBS is bringing late night’s biggest names back to one stage as Stephen Colbert’s run on

The Late Show

heads toward its final episode on May 21.

Reports indicate David Letterman will return next week, joined by other late-night hosts in the days leading up to Colbert’s sendoff. The plan gives the final stretch of the show the feel of both a farewell and a handoff, linking Colbert’s era to the larger history of the franchise that Letterman helped define.

The final week looks less like a routine signoff and more like a gathering for one of television’s most durable institutions.

Key Facts

  • The final episode of CBS’

    The Late Show

    is set for May 21.
  • Reports indicate David Letterman will appear next week.
  • Other late-night hosts are also expected ahead of the finale.
  • The farewell centers on Stephen Colbert’s final run as host.

The scheduling matters because

The Late Show

has long served as more than a nightly talk show. It stands as one of network TV’s signature brands, shaped by different hosts and different eras of comedy. Bringing together familiar faces underscores that point: this is not just one host leaving a desk, but a major television institution marking a transition in public view.

So far, the available details remain tight, and sources suggest CBS wants the focus on the show’s legacy as much as the guest list. That restraint leaves room for the final week to build its own momentum, episode by episode, while viewers watch for how Colbert and his peers choose to frame the ending.

What happens next will matter well beyond one finale date. A coordinated farewell featuring Letterman and other hosts could turn the last week into a broader reflection on where late night stands now — and what kind of audience, voice, and format will carry it forward after May 21.