The Late Show with Stephen Colbert: Season 11
Season 11 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 10.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Episode Guide
Season 11 Progress Shield
John Oliver, Joe Dombrowski
Sep 2, 2025 · 41 min
Stephen unveils his ‘Funko Pop!’ figure. John Oliver discusses ‘Last Week Tonight’. Joe Dombrowski gives a stand-up performance.
Jamie Lee Curtis, Carmelo Anthony
Sep 3, 2025 · 41 min
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 M
Drew Barrymore, Katherine Maher
Sep 4, 2025 · 41 min
Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Drew Barrymore discusses ‘The Drew Barrymore Show’. Katherine Maher discusses recent politics.
Cillian Murphy, Lady Gaga, Will Ferrell
Sep 8, 2025 · 41 min
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
Sonia Sotomayor, Eugene Levy
Sep 9, 2025 · 41 min
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’.
Jennifer Aniston, Cooper Hoffman
Sep 10, 2025 · 41 min
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’. Coo
Usher, Mac DeMarco
Sep 11, 2025 · 41 min
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 f
Brandi Carlile, Samin Nosrat
Sep 16, 2025 · 41 min
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 dis
Ron Howard, Gary Oldman
Sep 17, 2025 · 41 min
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 an
Jake Tapper, St. Vincent
Sep 18, 2025 · 41 min
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 b
Scarlett Johansson, Sen. Mark Kelly
Sep 22, 2025 · 41 min
Trump Hospital. Scarlett Johansson discusses ‘Eleanor the Great’. Senator Mark Kelly discusses recent politics.
Gov. Gavin Newsom, Priscilla Presley
Sep 23, 2025 · 41 min
Prescott Pharmaceuticals Bite Stick. Governor Gavin Newsom discusses recent politics. Priscilla Presley discusses her new book, ‘Softly, As I Leave You’.
Sen. Chris Murphy, Lainey Wilson
Sep 24, 2025 · 41 min
"Escalator Sabotage". Escalator Investigator. Late Show Presents: The Sound of Science. Senator Chris Murphy discusses recent politics. Lainey Wilson discusses the deluxe edition o
Jeremy Strong, Carrie Preston
Sep 25, 2025 · 41 min
Escalator Investigator. Escalator Investigator Presents: Triple Sabotage at the U.N. Escalator Investigator Presents: Teleprompter Investigompter. Escalator Investigator Presents:
Conan O'Brien
Sep 29, 2025 · 41 min
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
Jimmy Kimmel, Sam Smith
Sep 30, 2025 · 41 min
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: N
Julia Roberts, Sam Smith
Oct 1, 2025 · 41 min
Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Julia Roberts discusses ‘After the Hunt’. Sam Smith performs "To Be Free".
Lady Gaga
Oct 2, 2025 · 41 min
Trump Rx. Lady Gaga discusses ‘Mayhem’ and her concert tour, "The Mayhem Ball" (interview pre-taped at The Bitter End in the Greenwich Village).
Keanu Reeves, Alex Winter, J.I.D
Oct 13, 2025 · 41 min
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, ‘
Bette Midler, Tim Meadows
Oct 14, 2025 · 41 min
Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Bette Midler discusses the New York Restoration Project’s annual "Hulaween" charity event. Tim Meadows discusses ‘DMV’.
Anderson Cooper, Mason Thames
Oct 15, 2025 · 41 min
Anderson Cooper discusses recent politics and All There Is, Live’. Mason Thames discusses ‘Black Phone 2’.
Nick Offerman, José Andrés, Nathaniel Rateliff
Oct 16, 2025 · 41 min
Nathaniel Rateliff sits in with the band and provides musical accompaniment. David Ellison Appreciation Cam. Community Calendar: Minooka, Illinois with Nick Offerman. Nick Offerman
Jeremy Renner, Karine Jean-Pierre, Laura Benanti
Oct 20, 2025 · 41 min
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
Michael J. Fox, Jeff Tweedy
Oct 21, 2025 · 41 min
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, ‘T
Emma Stone, Alex Wagner
Oct 22, 2025 · 41 min
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’.
Ben Stiller, Tig Notaro
Oct 23, 2025 · 41 min
"Ballroom Grift". Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Ben Stiller discusses ‘Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost’. Tig Notaro discusses ‘Come See Me in the Good Light’.
Emma Thompson, Judd Apatow, Thundercat featuring Remi Wolf
Oct 27, 2025 · 41 min
Emma Thompson discusses ‘Down Cemetery Road’. Judd Apatow discusses his new book, ‘Comedy Nerd’. Thundercat featuring Remi Wolf performs "Children of the Baked Potato".
Colin Farrell, Cameron Crowe
Oct 28, 2025 · 41 min
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 U
Sarah Paulson, Sen. Ruben Gallego
Oct 29, 2025 · 41 min
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
Anthony Hopkins
Oct 30, 2025 · 41 min
Sir Anthony Hopkins discusses his new book, ‘We Did OK, Kid’ (interview pre-taped at a house in Los Angeles).
Tom Hanks, Mavis Staples
Nov 3, 2025 · 41 min
Tom Hanks discusses ‘This World of Tomorrow’. Mavis Staples performs "Human Mind" from her new album, ‘Sad and Beautiful World’.
Michelle Obama, Robert Plant
Nov 4, 2025 · 41 min
First Lady Michelle Obama discusses her new book, ‘The Look’. Robert Plant discusses his new album, ‘Saving Grace’.
Tiffany Haddish, Gary Cole
Nov 5, 2025 · 41 min
Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Tiffany Haddish discusses ‘Tiffany Haddish Goes Off’. Gary Cole discusses the ‘NCIS’ and ‘NCIS: Origins’ crossover event.
Sydney Sweeney, Patti Smith, Guillermo del Toro
Nov 6, 2025 · 41 min
Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein’s Monster Energy Drink (special appearance by Guillermo del Toro). CSI: Criminal Sandwich Investigation. Sydney Sweeney discusses ‘Christy’. Patti
Demi Moore, Ken Burns
Nov 10, 2025 · 41 min
Late Show Presents: The Sound of Science. Demi Moore discusses ‘Landman’. Ken Burns discusses ‘The American Revolution’.
Claire Danes, Rep. James Clyburn
Nov 11, 2025 · 41 min
Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Claire Danes discusses ‘The Beast in Me’. Representative Jim Clyburn discusses his new book, ‘The First Eight’.
Jonathan Karl, Pete Townshend
Nov 12, 2025 · 41 min
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
Julia Roberts, John Fogerty
Nov 17, 2025 · 41 min
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
Ted Danson, Alison Roman
Nov 18, 2025 · 41 min
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 Ste
Benedict Cumberbatch, Patton Oswalt, Jesse Welles
Nov 19, 2025 · 41 min
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 Wate
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Billy Strings
Nov 20, 2025 · 41 min
TURKzempic. Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Senator Elizabeth Warren discusses recent politics. Billy Strings performs "Leaning on a Travelin’ Song" from his new album, ‘Highway Pra
Lady Gaga, Mikie Sherrill, Kristin Chenoweth, Stephen Schwartz, Daniel Craig
Dec 1, 2025 · 41 min
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-
Rachel Maddow, Drive-By Truckers, Jason Isbell
Dec 2, 2025 · 41 min
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 P
Michael Shannon, Jessie Buckley, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex
Dec 3, 2025 · 41 min
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 discus
Jen Psaki, "Weird Al" Yankovic
Dec 4, 2025 · 41 min
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 a
Sigourney Weaver, Mandy Patinkin
Dec 8, 2025 · 41 min
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 Ge
Laura Dern, Andrew Ross Sorkin, Evie McGee Colbert
Dec 9, 2025 · 41 min
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
Taylor Swift
Dec 10, 2025 · 41 min
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’.
Kate Winslet; Ben Cohen; Jerry Greenfield
Dec 11, 2025 · 41 min
The Trump Platinum Card. Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Kate Winslet discusses ‘Goodbye June’. Ben & Jerry discuss Stephen Colbert's AmeriCone Dream.
Paul Rudd, Lesley Manville
Dec 15, 2025 · 41 min
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 Cleara
Anderson Cooper, Andy Cohen, the Mountain Goats, Laura Benanti
Dec 16, 2025 · 41 min
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
Kumail Nanjiani, St. Vincent
Dec 17, 2025 · 41 min
Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Kumail Nanjiani discusses his new stand-up special, ‘Night Thoughts’. Late Show Under the Covers (St. Vincent performs “Young Americans”).
Hugh Jackman, Nick Offerman
Dec 18, 2025 · 41 min
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
Ethan Hawke, Julia Ioffe
Jan 5, 2026 · 41 min
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
Jodie Foster, Tracy Letts
Jan 6, 2026 · 41 min
Pardon City. Late Show Presents: The Sound of Science. Jodie Foster discusses ‘A Private Life’. Tracy Letts discusses ‘Bug’.
Chris Hayes, Natalie Portman, Robyn
Jan 7, 2026 · 41 min
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 foo
Tom Hiddleston, Terry Gross
Jan 8, 2026 · 41 min
Gros. Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Tom Hiddleston discusses ‘The Night Manager’. Terry Gross discusses ‘Fresh Air’.
Jimmy Kimmel, Abigail Spanberger
Jan 12, 2026 · 41 min
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
Amanda Seyfried, Yo-Yo Ma
Jan 13, 2026 · 41 min
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
Paul Giamatti, Ryan Coogler
Jan 14, 2026 · 41 min
Trump-Tosterone. Paul Giamatti discusses ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’. Ryan Coogler discusses ‘Sinners’.
Stellan Skarsgård, Scott Galloway, Warren Haynes
Jan 15, 2026 · 41 min
Warren Haynes sits in with the band and provides musical accompaniment. Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Stellan Skarsgård discusses ‘Sentimental Value’. Jon Meacham discusses his ne
Sen. Bernie Sanders, Lucinda Williams
Jan 20, 2026 · 41 min
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 Sp
Jane Fonda, Jessica Williams
Jan 21, 2026 · 41 min
Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Jane Fonda discusses the Committee for the First Amendment. Jessica Williams discusses ‘Shrinking’.
Chance the Rapper, Maria Stephan
Jan 22, 2026 · 41 min
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 Negr
Gov. Josh Shapiro, The War and Treaty
Jan 26, 2026 · 41 min
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", featur
Sam Rockwell, George Saunders
Jan 27, 2026 · 41 min
Sam Rockwell discusses his career and ‘Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die’. George Saunders discusses ‘Vigil’.
Bad Bunny, Katherine LaNasa
Jan 28, 2026 · 41 min
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 ‘Th
Alexander Skarsgård, Jacob Soboroff
Jan 29, 2026 · 41 min
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, Meth
John Oliver
Feb 2, 2026 · 41 min
The Trump Epstein Files. Late Show Home Shopping: Canceled Clearance Sale! Bye Bye Buy (with John Oliver)! John Oliver discusses ‘Last Week Tonight’.
Mark Ruffalo, Father James Martin
Feb 3, 2026 · 41 min
Mark Ruffalo discusses ‘Crime 101’. Father James Martin discusses his new book, ‘Work in Progress’.
Ian McKellen, I'm With Her, Laura Benanti
Feb 4, 2026 · 41 min
A cameo appearance by Laura Benanti as Melania Trump. Ian McKellen discusses his career and ‘An Ark’. I'm with Her performs "The Obvious Child" from their new album, ‘Sing Me Alive
James Taylor, Evie McGee Colbert
Feb 5, 2026 · 41 min
First Drafts: Valentine's Day Cards, with Stephen's wife, Evie. James Taylor discusses his career as a singer-songwriter and performs "You Can Close Your Eyes", with his son Henry
Jennifer Garner
Feb 16, 2026 · 41 min
Stephen explains why you can only see his interview with Rep. James Talarico on the show's Youtube channel, interviews Jennifer Garner and replays a 2021 interview with the late Ro
Kaitlan Collins, Walter Isaacson
Feb 17, 2026 · 41 min
Kaitlan Collins discusses ‘The Source’. Walter Isaacson discusses his new book, ‘The Greatest Sentence Ever Written’.
Sen. Jon Ossoff, Kyle MacLachlan, Thundercat
Feb 18, 2026 · 41 min
Thundercat sits in with the band and provides musical accompaniment. Basilica Snack Bar. Ooh Ooh! Ah! Ah! Update! Ooh Ooh! Awww. Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Senator Jon Ossoff d
Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Robert Lopez, Andrew Rannells, Josh Gad, the Broadway cast of "The Book Of Mormon"
Mar 16, 2026 · 41 min
Elijah Wood, David Alan Grier, Lea Michele, the Broadway cast and orchestra of "Chess"
Mar 17, 2026 · 41 min
John Krasinski, Jenny Slate, Liam Neeson, John Oliver, Isa Briones, Taylor Dearden, the Avett Brothers
May 7, 2026 · 41 min
Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, John Oliver, Annaleigh Ashford, Christopher Jackson, Bernadette Peters, Ben Platt, Patrick Wilson
May 11, 2026 · 41 min
The Worst of "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" (Not A Clip Show!)
May 18, 2026 · 41 min