The Late Show with Stephen Colbert - Season 11

First aired: 9/2/2025 72 episodes

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Episodes

1. John Oliver, Joe Dombrowski

Aired: 9/2/2025

Stephen unveils his ‘Funko Pop!’ figure. John Oliver discusses ‘Last Week Tonight’. Joe Dombrowski gives a stand-up performance.

2. Jamie Lee Curtis, Carmelo Anthony

Aired: 9/3/2025

Shrimp-mergency. Jamie Lee Curtis takes "The Colbert Questionert" (new footage from July 29, 2025 episode). Carmelo Anthony discusses ‘NBA 2K26’ and his induction to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

3. Drew Barrymore, Katherine Maher

Aired: 9/4/2025

Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Drew Barrymore discusses ‘The Drew Barrymore Show’. Katherine Maher discusses recent politics.

4. Cillian Murphy, Lady Gaga, Will Ferrell

Aired: 9/8/2025

It Was All a Dream: Ten Years of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (special appearances by Julianne Moore and John Oliver). Stephen acknowledges Late Show director Jim Hoskinson’s first Emmy win for Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series. A Fond Look Back on the Things Stephen Chooses to Remember. Will Ferrell discusses ‘Zoolander 2’ and "rare animals" (footage from February 7, 2016 episode). Cillian Murphy discusses ‘Steve’. Lady Gaga performs "Vanish into You" from her album ‘Mayhem’.

5. Sonia Sotomayor, Eugene Levy

Aired: 9/9/2025

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor discusses recent politics and her new book, ‘Just Shine!: How To Be A Better You’. Eugene Levy discusses ‘The Reluctant Traveler’.

6. Jennifer Aniston, Cooper Hoffman

Aired: 9/10/2025

Stephen acknowledges the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Russian Drones Are on the March. Rescue Dog Rescue with Jennifer Aniston. Jennifer Aniston discusses ‘The Morning Show’. Cooper Hoffman discusses ‘The Long Walk’.

7. Usher, Mac DeMarco

Aired: 9/11/2025

Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Usher discusses his career as a singer and the Ralph’s Club New York fragrance. Jim Hoskinson discusses his career as a director and his retirement from ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’. Mac DeMarco performs "Shining" from his album ‘Guitar’.

8. Brandi Carlile, Samin Nosrat

Aired: 9/16/2025

The Clown. Stephen acknowledges ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ winning the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Series. Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Brandi Carlile discusses her new album, ‘Returning to Myself’. Samin Nosrat steps into the kitchen with Stephen and discusses her new book, ‘Good Things: Recipes and Rituals with People You Love’.

9. Ron Howard, Gary Oldman

Aired: 9/17/2025

Fast & Furious 11: London Drift… Off to Sleep. Mooooon Newwwws. Ooh Ooh! Ah! Ah! Update! Ooh Ooh! Ah! Ah! Update! Presents: Under the Chimpfluence. Ron Howard discusses the 30th anniversary re-release of ’Apollo 13’. Gary Oldman takes "The Colbert Questionert" (new footage from March 13, 2025 episode).

10. Jake Tapper, St. Vincent

Aired: 9/18/2025

Stephen Colbert, former host of The Colbert Report, returns to television to do a special segment of "The Wørd" with "Shhhhhh!". Jake Tapper discusses recent politics and his new book, ‘Race Against Terror’. David Remnick discusses recent politics and his new film, ’The New Yorker at 100’.

11. Scarlett Johansson, Sen. Mark Kelly

Aired: 9/22/2025

Trump Hospital. Scarlett Johansson discusses ‘Eleanor the Great’. Senator Mark Kelly discusses recent politics.

12. Gov. Gavin Newsom, Priscilla Presley

Aired: 9/23/2025

Prescott Pharmaceuticals Bite Stick. Governor Gavin Newsom discusses recent politics. Priscilla Presley discusses her new book, ‘Softly, As I Leave You’.

13. Sen. Chris Murphy, Lainey Wilson

Aired: 9/24/2025

"Escalator Sabotage". Escalator Investigator. Late Show Presents: The Sound of Science. Senator Chris Murphy discusses recent politics. Lainey Wilson discusses the deluxe edition of her album ‘Whirlwind’. Lainey Wilson performs "Somewhere Over Laredo".

14. Jeremy Strong, Carrie Preston

Aired: 9/25/2025

Escalator Investigator. Escalator Investigator Presents: Triple Sabotage at the U.N. Escalator Investigator Presents: Teleprompter Investigompter. Escalator Investigator Presents: Ineffective Acoustics Detective Sleuth-Fix. Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Jeremy Strong discusses ‘The White House Effect and Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere’. Carrie Preston discusses ‘Elsbeth’.

15. Conan O'Brien

Aired: 9/29/2025

Senior Alert Warning System. Waregon. Conan O’Brien discusses his career, ‘If I Had Legs I’d Kick You’ and ‘Conan O’Brien Must Go’. The cast of ‘Ragtime’ (Joshua Henry and Nichelle Lewis) performs "Wheels of a Dream".

16. Jimmy Kimmel, Sam Smith

Aired: 9/30/2025

Jimmy Kimmel discusses his suspension and Jimmy Kimmel Live! Kimmel’s sidekick, Guillermo Rodriguez, makes a special appearance. Sam Smith discusses their residency, "To Be Free: New York City".

17. Julia Roberts, Sam Smith

Aired: 10/1/2025

Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Julia Roberts discusses ‘After the Hunt’. Sam Smith performs "To Be Free".

18. Lady Gaga

Aired: 10/2/2025

Trump Rx. Lady Gaga discusses ‘Mayhem’ and her concert tour, "The Mayhem Ball" (interview pre-taped at The Bitter End in the Greenwich Village).

19. Keanu Reeves, Alex Winter, J.I.D

Aired: 10/13/2025

Stephen acknowledges the death of Diane Keaton. Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter discuss ‘Waiting for Godot’, ‘Adulthood’ and ‘Good Fortune’. JID performs "Glory" from his new album, ‘God Does Like Ugly’.

20. Bette Midler, Tim Meadows

Aired: 10/14/2025

Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Bette Midler discusses the New York Restoration Project’s annual "Hulaween" charity event. Tim Meadows discusses ‘DMV’.

21. Anderson Cooper, Mason Thames

Aired: 10/15/2025

Anderson Cooper discusses recent politics and All There Is, Live’. Mason Thames discusses ‘Black Phone 2’.

22. Nick Offerman, José Andrés, Nathaniel Rateliff

Aired: 10/16/2025

Nathaniel Rateliff sits in with the band and provides musical accompaniment. David Ellison Appreciation Cam. Community Calendar: Minooka, Illinois with Nick Offerman. Nick Offerman discusses his new book, ‘Little Woodchucks’. Chef José Andrés steps into the kitchen with Stephen and Nick Offerman and discusses his new restaurant, ‘Bazaar Meat’.

23. Jeremy Renner, Karine Jean-Pierre, Laura Benanti

Aired: 10/20/2025

The Santoshank Redemption. A cameo appearance by Laura Benanti as Melania Trump. Jeremy Renner discusses ‘Mayor of Kingstown’ and his new book, ‘My Next Breath’. Karine Jean-Pierre discusses her new book, ‘Independent’.

24. Michael J. Fox, Jeff Tweedy

Aired: 10/21/2025

Michael J. Fox discusses the 40th anniversary of Back to the Future and his new book, ‘Future Boy (interview pre-taped without an audience). Jeff Tweedy discusses his new album, ‘Twilight Override’. Jeff Tweedy performs "Enough".

25. Emma Stone, Alex Wagner

Aired: 10/22/2025

So You Think You American, with Late Show writer Felipe Torres Medina. Emma Stone discusses ‘Bugonia’. Alex Wagner discusses recent politics and her new podcast, ‘Runaway Country’.

26. Ben Stiller, Tig Notaro

Aired: 10/23/2025

"Ballroom Grift". Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Ben Stiller discusses ‘Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost’. Tig Notaro discusses ‘Come See Me in the Good Light’.

27. Emma Thompson, Judd Apatow, Thundercat featuring Remi Wolf

Aired: 10/27/2025

Emma Thompson discusses ‘Down Cemetery Road’. Judd Apatow discusses his new book, ‘Comedy Nerd’. Thundercat featuring Remi Wolf performs "Children of the Baked Potato".

28. Colin Farrell, Cameron Crowe

Aired: 10/28/2025

Squirlert! Stephen Colbert’s Chubby Rodent Chonk-stery. Late Show Presents: The Sound of Science. Colin Farrell discusses ‘Ballad of a Small Player’. Cameron Crowe discusses ‘The Uncool’.

29. Sarah Paulson, Sen. Ruben Gallego

Aired: 10/29/2025

Halloween 14: Ice Scream. Squirlert: Monkey ’Mergency. Ooh Ooh! Ah! Ah! Update! Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Sarah Paulson discusses ‘All’s Fair’. Senator Ruben Gallego discusses recent politics.

30. Anthony Hopkins

Aired: 10/30/2025

Sir Anthony Hopkins discusses his new book, ‘We Did OK, Kid’ (interview pre-taped at a house in Los Angeles).

31. Tom Hanks, Mavis Staples

Aired: 11/3/2025

Tom Hanks discusses ‘This World of Tomorrow’. Mavis Staples performs "Human Mind" from her new album, ‘Sad and Beautiful World’.

32. Michelle Obama, Robert Plant

Aired: 11/4/2025

First Lady Michelle Obama discusses her new book, ‘The Look’. Robert Plant discusses his new album, ‘Saving Grace’.

33. Tiffany Haddish, Gary Cole

Aired: 11/5/2025

Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Tiffany Haddish discusses ‘Tiffany Haddish Goes Off’. Gary Cole discusses the ‘NCIS’ and ‘NCIS: Origins’ crossover event.

34. Sydney Sweeney, Patti Smith, Guillermo del Toro

Aired: 11/6/2025

Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein’s Monster Energy Drink (special appearance by Guillermo del Toro). CSI: Criminal Sandwich Investigation. Sydney Sweeney discusses ‘Christy’. Patti Smith discusses her new book, ‘Bread of Angels’. Patti Smith performs "Peaceable Kingdom".

35. Demi Moore, Ken Burns

Aired: 11/10/2025

Late Show Presents: The Sound of Science. Demi Moore discusses ‘Landman’. Ken Burns discusses ‘The American Revolution’.

36. Claire Danes, Rep. James Clyburn

Aired: 11/11/2025

Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Claire Danes discusses ‘The Beast in Me’. Representative Jim Clyburn discusses his new book, ‘The First Eight’.

37. Jonathan Karl, Pete Townshend

Aired: 11/12/2025

Pete Townshend sits in with the band and provides musical accompaniment. A.I. Love Country. Cyborgasm. Jonathan Karl discusses his new book, ‘Retribution’. Pete Townshend discusses ‘Quadrophenia, A Rock Ballet’.

38. Julia Roberts, John Fogerty

Aired: 11/17/2025

Now That’s What I Declare Is Music. Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Meanwhile Presents: Guess Which State This Happened In? Never Mind It’s Florida. Julia Roberts takes "The Colbert Questionert" (new footage from October 1, 2025 episode). John Fogerty discusses his new album, ‘Legacy: The Creedence Clearwater Revival Years’. John Fogerty performs a medley of "Up Around the Bend", "Have You Ever Seen the Rain", "Fortunate Son", and "Proud Mary".

39. Ted Danson, Alison Roman

Aired: 11/18/2025

Stephen Colbert Sits on Your Babies (special appearance by Charli XCX and Anderson Cooper)! Ted Danson discusses ‘A Man on the Inside’. Alison Roman steps into the kitchen with Stephen and discusses her new book, ‘Something from Nothing’.

40. Benedict Cumberbatch, Patton Oswalt, Jesse Welles

Aired: 11/19/2025

The Late Show’s Refreshing Change of Subject. Benedict Cumberbatch discusses ‘The Thing with Feathers’. Patton Oswalt discusses his new stand-up special, ‘Black Coffee and Ice Water’. Jesse Welles performs "Join ICE" from his new single, ‘No Kings’.

41. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Billy Strings

Aired: 11/20/2025

TURKzempic. Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Senator Elizabeth Warren discusses recent politics. Billy Strings performs "Leaning on a Travelin’ Song" from his new album, ‘Highway Prayers’.

42. Lady Gaga, Mikie Sherrill, Kristin Chenoweth, Stephen Schwartz, Daniel Craig

Aired: 12/1/2025

RFK Jr.'s Magnetic Poetry. Big Questions with Even Bigger Stars (with Daniel Craig). Lady Gaga takes "The Colbert Questionert" (new footage from October 2, 2025 episode). Governor-elect Mike Sherrill discusses recent politics. The cast of ‘The Queen of Versailles’ (Kristin Chenoweth and Stephen Schwartz) perform "This is Not the Way".

43. Rachel Maddow, Drive-By Truckers, Jason Isbell

Aired: 12/2/2025

Election Night in America! Inside Entertainwood: Access Denied (special appearance by Robert De Niro). Rachel Maddow discusses recent politics and her new podcast, ‘Rachel Maddow Presents: Burn Order’. Drive-By Truckers perform "Hell No, I Ain’t Happy" from their album, ‘The Definitive Decoration Day’, featuring Jason Isbell.

44. Michael Shannon, Jessie Buckley, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex

Aired: 12/3/2025

Scarface 2: The Pardoning. Raccoon Noos. A special appearance by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. Michael Shannon discusses ‘Nuremberg’ and ‘Death by Lightning’. Jessie Buckley discusses ‘Hamnet’.

45. Jen Psaki, "Weird Al" Yankovic

Aired: 12/4/2025

The Late Show Presents: A Holiday Message from "Weird Al". Late Show Presents: Meanwhile (special appearance by Tenafly High School students). Jen Psaki discusses recent politics and ‘The Briefing with Jen Psaki’. "Weird Al" Yankovic discusses his tour, ‘Bigger & Weirder’.

46. Sigourney Weaver, Mandy Patinkin

Aired: 12/8/2025

Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Sigourney Weaver discusses ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’. Mandy Patinkin discusses ‘The Artist’. Tiler Peck performs "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" from George Balanchine's "The Nutcracker", with musical accompaniment by Andrew Litton.

47. Laura Dern, Andrew Ross Sorkin, Evie McGee Colbert

Aired: 12/9/2025

The John Deere Donald Trump Model Lawn Mower. First Drafts: Holiday Cards, with Stephen's wife, Evie. Laura Dern discusses ‘Palm Royale’ and ‘Is This Thing On?’. Andrew Ross Sorkin discusses his new book, ‘1929’.

48. Taylor Swift

Aired: 12/10/2025

Taylor Swift discusses ‘The Life of a Showgirl, Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour: The End of an Era’, and ‘Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour: The Final Show’.

49. Kate Winslet; Ben Cohen; Jerry Greenfield

Aired: 12/11/2025

The Trump Platinum Card. Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Kate Winslet discusses ‘Goodbye June’. Ben & Jerry discuss Stephen Colbert's AmeriCone Dream.

50. Paul Rudd, Lesley Manville

Aired: 12/15/2025

Stephen acknowledges the 2025 Bondi Beach and Brown University shootings and the deaths of Rob and Michele Singer Reiner. Noo Raccoon Noos. Late Show Home Shopping: Canceled Clearance Sale! Bye Bye Buy (with Paul Rudd)! Paul Rudd discusses ‘Anaconda’. Lesley Manville discusses ‘Oedipus’.

51. Anderson Cooper, Andy Cohen, the Mountain Goats, Laura Benanti

Aired: 12/16/2025

The Hand Bag. A cameo appearance by Laura Benanti as Melania Trump. Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen discuss their upcoming coverage of CNN's ‘New Year's Eve Live’ show. The Mountain Goats perform "Cold at Night" from their new album, ‘Through This Fire Across from Peter Balkan’, featuring Tommy Stinson.

52. Kumail Nanjiani, St. Vincent

Aired: 12/17/2025

Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Kumail Nanjiani discusses his new stand-up special, ‘Night Thoughts’. Late Show Under the Covers (St. Vincent performs “Young Americans”).

53. Hugh Jackman, Nick Offerman

Aired: 12/18/2025

Stephen acknowledges the final broadcast of John Dickerson as co-anchor of the CBS Evening News. The Late Show Presents: ‘Colbert’s Cancelled Christmas: The Last Noel’ (narrated by Nick Offerman). Hugh Jackman discusses ‘Song Sung Blue’. Louis Cato and The Late Show Band perform "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas".

54. Ethan Hawke, Julia Ioffe

Aired: 1/5/2026

Grandparent Nickname Database. Endea Owens’ Flushable Towels. Louis Cato's ‘Speed’ Taco Truck. Ethan Hawke discusses ‘Blue Moon’. Julia Ioffe discusses recent politics and her new book, ‘Motherland’.

55. Jodie Foster, Tracy Letts

Aired: 1/6/2026

Pardon City. Late Show Presents: The Sound of Science. Jodie Foster discusses ‘A Private Life’. Tracy Letts discusses ‘Bug’.

56. Chris Hayes, Natalie Portman, Robyn

Aired: 1/7/2026

Stephen acknowledges the killing of Renee Good. Chris Hayes discusses recent politics and his new book, ‘The Sirens’ Call’. Natalie Portman takes "The Colbert Questionert" (new footage from May 21, 2025 episode). Robyn performs "Sexistential" from her new album of the same name.

57. Tom Hiddleston, Terry Gross

Aired: 1/8/2026

Gros. Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Tom Hiddleston discusses ‘The Night Manager’. Terry Gross discusses ‘Fresh Air’.

58. Jimmy Kimmel, Abigail Spanberger

Aired: 1/12/2026

Lego Trophy Set. Monkey 'Mergency. Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Jimmy Kimmel takes "The Colbert Questionert" (new footage from September 30, 2025 episode). Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger discusses recent politics.

59. Amanda Seyfried, Yo-Yo Ma

Aired: 1/13/2026

Community Calendar: Allentown, Pennsylvania with Amanda Seyfried. Amanda Seyfried discusses ‘The Testament of Ann Lee’. Yo-Yo Ma discusses his new podcast, Our Common Nature. Yo-Yo Ma performs a medley of the prelude from Bach's first Cello Suite and "Over the Rainbow".

60. Paul Giamatti, Ryan Coogler

Aired: 1/14/2026

Trump-Tosterone. Paul Giamatti discusses ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’. Ryan Coogler discusses ‘Sinners’.

61. Stellan Skarsgård, Scott Galloway, Warren Haynes

Aired: 1/15/2026

Warren Haynes sits in with the band and provides musical accompaniment. Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Stellan Skarsgård discusses ‘Sentimental Value’. Jon Meacham discusses his new book, ‘American Struggle’.

62. Sen. Bernie Sanders, Lucinda Williams

Aired: 1/20/2026

CSI: Ooh La La. Senator Bernie Sanders discusses recent politics. Lucinda Williams performs "The World's Gone Wrong" from her new album, ‘World’s Gone Wrong’, featuring Brittney Spencer.

63. Jane Fonda, Jessica Williams

Aired: 1/21/2026

Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Jane Fonda discusses the Committee for the First Amendment. Jessica Williams discusses ‘Shrinking’.

64. Chance the Rapper, Maria Stephan

Aired: 1/22/2026

Chance the Rapper discusses the 10th anniversary of ‘Coloring Book’ and his new album, ‘Star Line’. Maria J. Stephan discusses recent politics. Chance the Rapper performs "The Negro Problem"

65. Gov. Josh Shapiro, The War and Treaty

Aired: 1/26/2026

Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Governor Josh Shapiro discusses recent politics and his new book, ‘Where We Keep the Light’. The War and Treaty performs "I'm Still Standing", featuring Willie Blount.

66. Sam Rockwell, George Saunders

Aired: 1/27/2026

Sam Rockwell discusses his career and ‘Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die’. George Saunders discusses ‘Vigil’.

67. Bad Bunny, Katherine LaNasa

Aired: 1/28/2026

Claus & Order: Santa Victims Unit. Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Bad Bunny takes "The Colbert Questionert" (new footage from July 22, 2025 episode). Katherine LaNasa discusses ‘The Pitt’.

68. Alexander Skarsgård, Jacob Soboroff

Aired: 1/29/2026

A musical tribute to the 25th anniversary of ‘The Lord of the Rings’: "#1 Trilly" (special appearances by Dominic Monaghan, Billy Boyd, Sean Astin, Elijah Wood, Anna Kendrick, Method Man, Killer Mike, Orlando Bloom, Andy Serkis and Hugo Weaving; footage from December 15, 2021 episode). Alexander Skarsgård discusses ‘Pillion’. Jacob Soboroff discusses recent politics and his new book, ‘Firestorm’.

69. John Oliver

Aired: 2/2/2026

John Oliver

70. Mark Ruffalo, Father James Martin

Aired: 2/3/2026

Mark Ruffalo, Father James Martin

71. Ian McKellen, I'm With Her, Laura Benanti

Aired: 2/4/2026

Ian McKellen, I'm With Her, Laura Benanti

72. James Taylor, Evie McGee Colbert

Aired: 2/5/2026

James Taylor, Evie McGee Colbert