“The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” airs its final episode on Thursday, May 21.

Stephen Colbert addresses rumors about his next move after Late Show cancellation

"The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" airs its final episode on Thursday, May 21.

By Marina Watts

Marina Watts

Marina Watts is a news writer for with seven years experience covering entertainment, pop culture and celebrity news. Her previous work appears in PEOPLE, Bustle and Newsweek.

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April 24, 2026 6:14 p.m. ET

Stephen Colbert on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert'. Credit:

Scott Kowalchyk/CBS/Getty

- Stephen Colbert dispelled any rumors about his next move when *The Late Show *concludes in May in the funniest way possible.

- All jokes aside, the comedian will be writing a new *Lord of the Rings *film that he and his son previously pitched to Peter Jackson.

- The last episode of *The Late Show With Stephen Colbert *airs on Thursday, May 21, on CBS.

Stephen Colbert is setting the record straight on what's next in the most Stephen Colbert way.

During the Thursday, April 23 episode of *The Late Show With Stephen Colbert*, the eponymous host addressed what his plans are once his show wraps up in May. After "internet rumors continue to run wild," the late-night host took charge of the narrative.

"I've heard a lot of theories — everything from I'm moving to CNN to I'm announcing a massive wildlife rescue program to I'm running for president of the United States," Colbert said. "Now, here's the thing. I can reveal right now that all of those are partially true."

"Next year, I will be president of an animal sanctuary dedicated to caring for the rare Blitzer Wolf. It's a captive breeding program. Nobody tell him," he joked of the seasoned CNN anchor.

Stephen Colbert on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert'.

Scott Kowalchyk/CBS/Getty

Colbert then pivoted to "officially announce" his next big television project, with his signature serious delivery. "It's an hour-long network procedural drama torn straight from today's headlines. It's the gripping tale of two detectives who are also uncles. How can they be both? It ain't easy, folks."

A trailer for the unfortunately fake buddy comedy *Uncle Cops*, starring Colbert and John C. Reilly starts playing. Uncles Mitch and Bob struggle to balance their high-demand roles as police officers while also be devoted, doting uncles.

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The show asks, "where is the line between duty and love?" as the cops fight crime while balancing uncle duties, such as forgetting their nephew's names and watching videos of music recitals.

All jokes aside, Colbert does make a convincing uncle cop. After *The Late Show *ends, Colbert will be writing a new *Lord of the Rings* film that he and son Peter had pitched to Peter Jackson. "I did not think I would have the time, as much as I love it, I knew I couldn't do that and do this show at the same time, but it turns out I'm going to be free starting this summer," Colbert quipped in March.**

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Stephen Colbert counts down to his last day on 'The Late Show' with help from Jon Stewart

CBS announced in July 2025 that *The Late Show *would be ending the following May. "We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire* The Late Show* franchise at that time," CBS said in a statement at the time. "We are proud that Stephen called CBS home. He and the broadcast will be remembered in the pantheon of greats that graced late night television."

The statement continued, "This is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night. It is not related in any way to the show's performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount."

Colbert addressed the cancelation on his show not long after. "It's not just the end of our show, but it's the end of *The Late Show *on CBS. I'm not being replaced. This is all just going away," he said at the time.

"Let me tell you, it is a fantastic job. I wish somebody else was getting it. And it's a job that I'm looking forward to doing with this usual gang of idiots for another 10 months. It's going to be fun."

Stephen Colbert on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert'.

Scott Kowalchyk/CBS/Getty

The last episode of *The Late Show With Stephen Colbert *airs on Thursday, May 21, on CBS. Starting May 22,* **Comics Unleashed With Byron Allen** *will take over Colbert's 11:35 p.m. ET/PT slot.

See Stephen Colbert dispel "internet rumors" and a trailer for *Uncle Cops *below.

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