Late-night icon David Letterman made a memorable final appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, where he delivered a powerful and defiant message. During a rooftop segment, he shouted, “Good night and good luck, motherf——!” in a moment that quickly went viral. This happened during the Thursday, May 14, broadcast of the show, which has run for 11 seasons and approximately 1,800 episodes. The program officially ended on Thursday, May 21.
Letterman joined Colbert on the roof of the Ed Sullivan Theater for a segment titled “the wanton destruction of CBS property.” The two late-night hosts took turns throwing items such as chairs and cake off the roof onto a giant CBS logo painted below. The segment was filled with humor, but it also carried a deeper message about the end of an era.
Before dropping the final prop, Letterman paid homage to legendary CBS journalist Edward R. Murrow. He twisted Murrow’s famous catchphrase into a direct and explicit jab at the network. This moment highlighted his long-standing relationship with CBS and his deep connection to the network.
Letterman’s appearance marked his final appearance on the series he started in 1993. His run on CBS’s The Late Show lasted for 22 years (1993 to 2015). The segment was not just a farewell, but also a reflection on the changes in the television industry and the challenges faced by late-night hosts.
“I have every right to be p—– off, so I’ll be p—– off here a little bit,” Letterman said. “You folks wouldn’t be at this theater if it weren’t for me, and Stephen wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for me. We built this theater, and then Stephen came in here and, look at this, it’s like the Bellagio. But, as we all understand, you can take a man’s show, you can’t take a man’s voice, so that’s the good news.”
The late-night icon expressed serious concern for the future of television hosts and comedians in the wake of recent authoritarian crackdowns on freedom of speech. He questioned what would become of other late-night hosts like Jimmy Kimmel, who is currently engaged in a heated feud with President Donald Trump.
Colbert hilariously reassured him they will be fine, saying, “We’ve got a plan to put them in a captive breeding program.” The segment followed a string of blistering public remarks from Letterman regarding CBS’ decision to cancel The Late Show franchise ahead of its upcoming May 21 finale.
In a recent New York Times interview, Letterman openly called CBS executives “lying weasels,” rejecting his former employer’s claims that the Colbert cancellation was “unequivocally a financial decision.” He contended that Colbert was “dumped” to appease Skydance Media and David Ellison ahead of their corporate merger, ensuring Colbert’s sharp political commentary would not interfere with regulatory approvals or the administration.
Colbert, who is going on to co-write a new installment in the Lord of the Rings film series, said, “I think we’re the first number one show to ever get canceled.” The segment was a mix of humor, nostalgia, and a pointed critique of the media landscape. It marked the end of an era for both Letterman and Colbert, as well as for the late-night television format.
The final episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert was more than just a sign-off; it was a celebration of the show’s legacy and a reminder of the power of comedy and satire in challenging authority. Letterman’s final words, delivered with a mix of defiance and humor, left a lasting impression on viewers and fans alike.
