Stephen Colbert's last show – How to watch 'Late Show' series finale

Stephen Colbert's "Late Show" swan song has arrived.

After almost 11 years, the late-night host is set to sign off "The Late Show" for good on Thursday, May 21, less than a year after CBS canceled the show.

Colbert has hosted "The Late Show" since September 2015. He took over for David Letterman, the show's host from 1993 to 2015. CBS is not replacing Colbert with a new host, but rather ending "The Late Show" entirely.

Paramount Global previously said "The Late Show" cancellation was "purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night," not "related in any way to the show's performance, content, or other matters happening at Paramount." But the move sparked outcry and accusations that it was an effort to appease the Trump administration amid a merger between Paramount and Skydance, which has since been completed.

Colbert's final weeks have seen him welcome a star-studded slate of guests, from Oprah Winfrey to former President Barack Obama, as well as bring back Letterman and reunite with his former "Daily Show" colleague, Jon Stewart.

Here's what you need to know about Colbert's big sendoff.

When will 'The Late Show' finale episode air?

The final episode of "The Late Show" is airing on CBS Thursday, May 21 at 11:35 p.m. ET.

A recent CBS promo for the finale promoted it as an "extended" episode, according to LateNighter, though it isn't clear how much longer the episode will be than usual. The show typically ends at 12:37 a.m. ET.

How to watch 'The Late Show' finale

In addition to airing on CBS, "The Late Show" can be streamed live on Paramount+ for subscribers with the Premium plan. Paramount+ Essential plan subscribers can stream the show the next day.

Who are the guests for the 'Late Show' finale?

CBS is staying mum about who might show up on the final "Late Show." The official schedule for the week provided by CBS did not list any guests for May 21, simply listing the episode as "'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' Series Finale."

But fans should certainly expect celebrity cameos, at least based on the way Colbert's prior show "The Colbert Report" ended. The Comedy Central series' 2014 finale wrapped with Colbert singing "We'll Meet Again" in a room filled with stars, from Patrick Stewart to Elijah Wood.

Colbert has repeatedly said his "white whale" guest that he has always wanted to have on the show is the pope. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he noted he even wrote to Pope Leo XIV asking him to come on the show.

What is replacing 'The Late Show' on CBS?

CBS is not replacing "The Late Show" with a traditional late-night talk show, at least for now.

Starting on May 22, Colbert's time slot will be taken over by Byron Allen's "Comics Unleashed," a comedy panel show where comedians come on and perform their stand-up material. Allen recently told USA TODAY that Colbert sent him a text congratulating him on taking over the time slot.

"He is a wonderful human being. He is a really good guy. He's a beautiful soul," Allen said. "And I think he's an American treasure. I hope that he continues to come into our homes. He deserves to be there, and I think he's great. I think the world of him."

Contributing: Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY