Crowds gathered outside the Ed Sullivan Theater on Thursday, despite the unfavorable weather.

The Late Show With Stephen Colbert fans line up in the rain for the series finale taping

Crowds gathered outside the Ed Sullivan Theater on Thursday, despite the unfavorable weather.

By Kathleen Perricone

May 21, 2026 10:48 p.m. ET

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'Late Show' fans line up to say goodbye to Stephen Colbert on May 21. Credit:

CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP

- Fan lined up in the rain outside Ed Sullivan Theater for the final taping of *The Late With Stephen Colbert*. - Many were holding signs reading "Colbert for President" and "Thank You Stephen." - Paul McCartney, one of Colbert's final guests, waved at the fans as he exited the theater.

A little rain wasn't going to keep the *Late Show* fans away.

New Yorkers braved the unfavorable weather conditions on Thursday to gather outside the Ed Sullivan Theater as Stephen Colbert prepared to host his final episode of the iconic CBS show, which premiered in 1993 with David Letterman at the helm.

Among the sea of umbrellas and ponchos, fans hoisted signs reading "Colbert for President," "Keep Colbert Fire Trump," "USA [heart] Stephen," and "Thank You Stephen."

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There was also one person dressed as a Pope, in honor of the comedian saying recently that his wish was for Pope Leo XIV to join him on the air before the *Late Show* ended.

"The pope is my white whale," Colbert, a Catholic, told *The Hollywood Reporter*. "I wrote him. I said, 'Come on!' No, I said, 'Your Holiness, I hope this letter finds you well or, at the very least, infallible. Would you please come on my show? We don't have to talk about politics.'"

Paul McCartney waves to fans of 'The Late Show' on May 21.

John Lamparski/Getty

While Pope Leo did not leave the Vatican for Times Square, there was someone who was once "more popular than Jesus": Beatles singer-songwriter Paul McCartney.

The 83-year-old musician returned to the Ed Sullivan Theater, where the Fab Four made their U.S. debut in 1964, as a special guest of Colbert's for his final episode. As he exited the venue after the live taping, McCartney waved to cheering fans from his chauffeured sedan.

Security presence outside Ed Sullivan Theater for 'The Late Show' on May 21.

Andrew H. Walker/Shutterstock

Other celebs reportedly involved in the star-studded finale, which is expected to run 19 minutes longer than usual, include Paul Rudd, Bryan Cranston, and Ryan Reynolds, according to Deadline.

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Despite the heavy presence of security at the theater's exit, fans craned their necks for the slightest glimpse of the mystery guests. "Whoever you are, we love you" shouted one fan. Others hoped for the *Late Show* host himself, chanting,"Ste-phen! Ste-phen!"

Outside on the sidewalk, many fans shared their personal connection to the departing host.

"I watched him since he was *The Colbert Report*, since he was on* **The Daily Show*," one fan told CNN. "It's just really sad. I mean, I think he's really loved and enjoyed this particular theater and he's kind of made it home. And it's just really sad that it has to end."

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Source: “EW Talk”