Jon Stewart (The Daily Show, Irresistible) made surprise appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert to celebrate Stephen Colbert (The Colbert Report, Strangers With Candy) during the final week of the long-running CBS series, according to Entertainment Weekly. The appearance took place during one of the final episodes leading up to the show’s finale on May 21.
Stewart, a longtime friend and former colleague of Colbert, joined the host in a segment that blended comedy with a more emotional farewell as the series approaches its conclusion. Entertainment Weekly reported how Stewart surprised Colbert with pair of electric recliners as a goodbye gift, while also bringing in singer Andra Day for a performance of “Rise Up”. The segment reflected the nearly three-decade friendship between Stewart and Colbert, which dates back to their years working together on The Daily Show.
CBS announced in 2025 that The Late Show With Stephen Colbert would end in 2026. The network stated that the decision was financial, though the cancellation continued generating discussion after Colbert publicly criticized Paramount over its settlement involving President Donald Trump and 60 Minutes.
Colbert has hosted The Late Show since 2015 after taking over for David Letterman (Late Night, Mork & Mindy). During its run, the series became one of the defining programs in modern late-night television through its mix of political satire, celebrity interviews, and commentary on current events.
mxdwn has previously covered the final stretch of The Late Show as Colbert prepared to close out the series. One earlier report focused on former President Barack Obama being announced as one of Colbert’s final guests, highlighting how the show’s last weeks were bringing together major public figures and longtime collaborators to celebrate the program’s legacy. That coverage emphasized how CBS was positioning the final episodes as both a farewell to Colbert’s tenure and the end of a major era in late-night television.
Stewart’s appearance continues that trend, adding another major moment to the show’s final episodes as Colbert prepares to sign off after more than a decade behind the desk. As of now, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert is scheduled to air its final episode on May 21.