TL;DR
- Stephen Colbert bids farewell to ‘The Late Show’.
- Paul McCartney performs ‘Hello Goodbye’ with Colbert.
- The finale marks a nostalgic moment for McCartney.
- McCartney reminisces about The Beatles’ early days.
- Colbert and McCartney turn off the lights together.
In a moment that felt like a warm hug from the past, Stephen Colbert wrapped up his run on ‘The Late Show’ with a legendary guest: Paul McCartney. The final episode aired Thursday night, and let’s just say, it was a star-studded send-off worthy of a Beatle.
The finale was not just about saying goodbye; it was a celebration of the show’s 33-year legacy. McCartney graced the stage with a performance of The Beatles’ classic “Hello Goodbye,” while Colbert joined in for some backup vocals. Talk about a dream team! Elvis Costello and Jon Batiste also made appearances, proving that this was no ordinary farewell.
But wait, there’s more! This wasn’t just a nostalgic trip down memory lane for the audience; it was a full circle moment for McCartney himself. He recalled his first U.S. TV appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show” back in 1964, which was filmed at the same venue as ‘The Late Show.’ Colbert cheekily asked, “When you close your eyes, do you hear the girls screaming?” to which McCartney responded with a chuckle, “Yeah,” as the audience erupted into wild screams.
As the night progressed, McCartney reminisced about the early days of Beatlemania, recalling how the band had to wear bright orange makeup for their TV debut. Colbert, ever the jokester, quipped, “That’s very popular in certain circles these days. Now we know where it started. Thanks a lot, Paul McCartney!”
In a heartfelt moment, McCartney spoke about the romantic vision The Beatles had of America as “the land of the free, the greatest democracy.” He added, “That was what it was. It still is, hopefully.” A sentiment that resonates deeply with many, especially in today’s climate.
Colbert also took the opportunity to ask McCartney about Paul Mescal, the actor set to portray him in an upcoming Beatles biopic. When asked who was cuter, young Paul McCartney or Mescal, McCartney confidently replied, “Me,” before adding, “No, he’s very cute, he’s very cute.” Classic Paul, always charming and witty!
As the show drew to a close, Colbert and McCartney shared a lighthearted moment where they turned off the lights together, plunging the studio into darkness. The show ended with a whimsical twist, as the lights went out and the scene transformed into a snow globe, leaving viewers with a sense of nostalgia and joy.
So, as we say goodbye to ‘The Late Show,’ we can’t help but feel grateful for the laughter, the music, and the memories. Thank you, Stephen Colbert, and thank you, Paul McCartney, for a night we won’t soon forget.