First on LateNighter: Stephen Colbert’s final Late Show is getting some extra room.
CBS has begun promoting Thursday’s sendoff as “the extended Late Show series finale,” a sign that Colbert’s last night behind the desk will run beyond the show’s usual hour.
The phrasing appears in a new promo for Colbert’s final week (below), which the network says is “all leading up to the extended Late Show series finale.” CBS has not revealed how long the finale will run, and a rep for the show did not immediately respond to LateNighter’s request for additional details.
The show kicked off its final week of episodes Monday night with an unusual installment that broke from the show’s usual format, with Colbert joined by members of his staff as he presented previously rejected and unaired bits from The Late Show‘s 11-season run.
There is franchise precedent for a finale running past its slot. David Letterman’s 2015 CBS farewell ultimately ran 17 minutes over—although in that case, it was not planned that way. Letterman’s executive producer Barbara Gaines later recalled CBS giving approval late in the evening and the staff racing to finish the final edit before airtime.
One thing’s for sure: all eyes will be on The Late Show Thursday night. As we’ve reported, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon have stepped aside for the night, with both shows airing repeats out of deference to Colbert.
Colbert’s finale appears to be a different situation: less scramble, more strategy.
One thing’s for sure: all eyes will be on The Late Show Thursday night. As we’ve reported, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon have stepped aside for the night, with both shows airing repeats out of deference to Colbert.
Get stories like this in your inbox: Sign up for LateNighter’s free daily newsletter.
