Stephen Colbert wrapped up his time hosting The Late Show with a high-energy finale at New York City's Ed Sullivan Theater. The 62-year-old comedian featured a rotating cast of A-list celebrities before ending the night with a legendary musical guest.

The 'Joy Machine' and the OnlyFans joke

Stephen Colbert opened his final broadcast by addressing the live audience at the Ed Sullivan Theater and viewers at home, referring to the production as the "Joy Machine." According to the report, Colbert expressed deep gratitude for his staff, emphasizing the strong emotional bonds formed during his tenurre.

The monologue took a comedic turn when Stephen Colbert displayed a "first draft" of his goodbye card.. In a nod to modern digital trends, the card featured Colbert asking how to start an OnlyFans account, signaling that even in his final moments, the host intended to maintain his signature irreverence.

How Paul Rudd and Ryan Reynolds fuoght for the final guest spot

The comedic tension of the evening centered on a running gag regarding who would be the show's ultimate guest.. As reported, a series of stars including Bryan Cranston, Paul Rudd, Tim Meadows, and Tig Notaro appeared, each under the impression they were the final act of the night.

The sequence reached a peak when Ryan Reynolds interrupted the proceedings, believing he had secured the closing slot. However, Stephen Colbert repeatedly denied these celebrities the honor, with Tim Meadows even engaging in a spat with Paul Rudd over their shared history at Second City before storming off with Rudd's bananas.

The missing Pope Leo XIV and the rider mishap

The show's climax featured a satirical twist regarding the identity of the "very special final guest." As the report says, the guest was supposed to be Pope Leo XIV, but the pontiff allegedly canceled his appearance due to a miscommunication regarding his "rider," the list of specific requests a performer makes for their dressing room.

Paul McCartney's 1964 Ed Sullivan Theater callback

Following the Pope joke, Paul McCartney arrived to serve as the actual final guest of the series. Sir Paul McCartney brought a piece of television history to the set: a framed, autographed photograph of The Beatles from their landmark 1964 performance at the Ed Sullivan Theater.

During the interview, Paul McCartney recalled the nerves of being a "young kid" during that first visit to America. he noted that the makeup artists at the time made him look "bright orange" and reflected on his view of the United States as the "land of the free" and the "greatest democracy," expressing hope that this remains true today.

Louis Cato and the final 'Meanwhile' segment

The broadcast maintained its usual structure by including a final installment of the "Meanwhile" segment. In this closing edition,Stephen Colbert broke down news stories concerning home distilling and a legal dispute involving music from the Peanuts franchise.

The evening concluded with musical accompaniment from Louis Cato and the Great Big Joy Machine. While the band played, Stephen Colbert joked about the production costs, specifically hoping that the festivities would not cost CBS any additional money.