Stephen Colbert final 'Late Show' episode – See joyful Paul McCartney performance

Bryan Alexander, USA TODAYFri, May 22, 2026 at 12:19 PM UTC

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Paul McCartney performs on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" with Louis Cato and The Great Big Joy Machine.

Paul McCartney's performance of "Hello, Goodbye" created an instant TV classic moment that joyously ended "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" on Thursday, May 21.

With Colbert singing background, McCartney sang the Beatles' classic in the same Ed Sullivan Theater that hosted the young Beatles in their legendary TV performance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" on February 9, 1964.

Musical guest Elvis Costello, former band leader Jon Batiste and current band leader Louis Cato led The Great Big Joy Machine band in the rousing performance.

The musical moment is now on YouTube.

Before the performance, McCartney sat down with Colbert to talk about his storied career and reminisce about the original Ed Sullivan Theater appearance.

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"I just remember the girls in the balcony," McCartney said of his return to the Ed Sullivan Theater. As some women yelled from the crowd, McCartney pointed to them and said, "Not you."

During the interview, Colbert asked McCartney about the casting of Paul Mescal as young McCartney in the upcoming Beatles biopic movies directed by Sam Mendes.

"Who's cuter? Young Paul McCartney or Paul Mescal?" Colbert asked, to which McCartney confidently responded, "Me."

After the show's final minutes saw Colbert take the stage back at the theater to join McCartney, Cato, Costello and Batiste in the performance of "Hello, Goodbye," the episode transitioned into a prerecorded moment backstage, where McCartney helped Colbert turn off the lights of the Ed Sullivan Theater.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Paul McCartney's performance on Stephen Colbert's 'Late Show' finale

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