The Late Show With Stephen Colbert Returns With New Episodes — Here’s Who’s Joining Him

Stephen Colbert may be heading toward the announced end of his late-night reign, but he’s far from finished. After a summer break that left fans revisiting reruns, Colbert has returned to the Ed Sullivan Theater with a fresh lineup of guests and a determination to keep the spotlight until his very last show in May 2026. The return could not come at a more pivotal moment for late-night television, as both politics and pop culture continue to deliver the kind of material that Colbert has built a career turning into sharp, satirical comedy.

Colbert’s first episode back aired on Tuesday, September 2, and he wasted no time booking big names. Kicking off his comeback was fellow satirist John Oliver, the Emmy-winning host of Last Week Tonight. Like Colbert, Oliver began his career as a correspondent on The Daily Show, and his brand of incisive comedy has long made him a natural ally in the late-night space. Oliver has been publicly supportive of Colbert, especially in the wake of the news that CBS will end The Late Show With Stephen Colbert in 2026. Their on-screen reunion felt less like a standard guest spot and more like a symbolic passing of the torch between two of the sharpest voices in political satire.

Alongside Oliver, Colbert also welcomed stand-up comedian Joe Dombrowski to Tuesday’s broadcast, giving audiences a taste of his offbeat humor and reminding viewers that The Late Show continues to highlight not only household names but also up-and-coming performers. On Wednesday, September 3, the show will feature a mix of Hollywood and sports royalty, with Oscar-nominated actor Mark Ruffalo and retired NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony set to appear. Both bring star power, and Colbert has always thrived in balancing political discourse with entertainment-driven segments that appeal to a wide range of viewers. Thursday’s episode will shift tone again, as actress America Ferrera joins Colbert for what is sure to be a lively conversation, while Katherine Maher, the new CEO of NPR, will add a more serious note to the evening.

Maher’s appearance comes at a particularly critical time for public broadcasting. Last month, the Republican-controlled Congress, under the direction of President Donald Trump, voted to cancel federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, effectively stripping NPR of a staggering $1.1 billion in support. Maher is expected to address the fallout from this political move, which has raised concerns about the future of public media in America. For Colbert, who has never shied away from confrontation with Trump, the topic will likely serve as yet another opportunity to mix comedy with biting critique.

The feud between Colbert and Trump is nothing new. The former president has taken visible delight in CBS’s decision to cancel The Late Show, writing on social media that he “absolutely loved that Colbert got fired” and mocking the host by claiming his “talent was even less than his ratings.” Colbert, true to form, didn’t hold back in his response, offering a blunt “Go f— yourself” that reminded audiences of his willingness to go toe-to-toe with the most powerful figures in politics. That defiance is part of what has kept Colbert relevant in a crowded late-night landscape, and it’s also what makes his final years at CBS worth watching.

Despite the looming end of his tenure, Colbert is far from fading quietly. The Late Show has been nominated for Outstanding Talk Series at this month’s Emmy Awards, signaling that even as its cancellation approaches, the program continues to resonate with audiences and critics alike. The nomination underscores Colbert’s impact on American television, not only as a comedian but as a cultural commentator who has consistently reflected—and skewered—the political zeitgeist of the last decade.

Support for Colbert within the late-night community has also been notable. Jimmy Kimmel, one of Colbert’s most visible competitors, has gone out of his way to publicly back him in the Emmy race. In a bold and playful show of solidarity, Kimmel even paid for a billboard in Los Angeles that read simply, “I’m Voting for Stephen!” It was a reminder that while ratings may pit hosts against one another, there is a sense of camaraderie among those who understand the challenges of keeping a nightly show sharp, relevant, and funny in an increasingly fragmented media environment. Trump, unsurprisingly, has lashed out at Kimmel as well, predicting that he would be “next to go,” further inflaming the ongoing culture war between late-night television and conservative politics.

As Colbert resumes his nightly duties, the stakes feel both heightened and bittersweet. Each new episode is a step closer to the end of an era, yet also an opportunity for him to reaffirm why he has been such a defining voice in late-night television. His blend of humor, intellect, and unflinching critique has given audiences not just laughs but also a lens through which to process the turbulence of modern American life. The guest lineup in the weeks ahead reflects the duality of Colbert’s show: entertainers who keep things light, politicians and cultural figures who spark debate, and surprise appearances that remind viewers of late-night’s power to both entertain and provoke thought.

The end may be in sight, but for now Stephen Colbert is very much still in the game. With John Oliver, Mark Ruffalo, Carmelo Anthony, America Ferrera, and Katherine Maher among his first guests back, it’s clear that The Late Show is determined to go out swinging. And for audiences tuning in at 11:35 p.m. ET/PT on CBS, there’s still plenty of time to laugh, argue, and reflect with Colbert before the final curtain call.