Stephen Colbert teases major guest as 'The Late Show' nears finale

Stephen Colbert is set to welcome Barack Obama as one of the final high-profile guests on The Late Show, as the long-running program approaches its scheduled end in May.

The late-night host made the announcement during a recent episode, revealing that the former U.S. president will appear on the May 5 broadcast. 

The interview will mark Obama’s first since operating out of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, adding further significance to the conversation.

Colbert described the booking as “exciting,” signaling a major moment in the show’s final stretch. 

The pair share a longstanding on-screen rapport, having previously sat down together multiple times over the years, including during Colbert’s tenure on The Late Show and earlier in his career.

The announcement comes as the CBS talk show prepares to conclude on May 21. Despite the impending finale, Colbert has indicated he is not ready to detach from the experience just yet, emphasizing his deep connection to the team behind the scenes and the audience that has supported the show.

Reflecting on the closing chapter, the host acknowledged the emotional weight of the transition but has largely avoided speculating publicly about the reasons behind the show’s end. 

CBS has maintained that the decision was driven by financial considerations, though it has sparked wider discussion.