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Season guide

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert: Season 4

195 episodes Premiered Sep 4, 2018 Updated Sep 25, 2026

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 4 continues the overarching saga across 195 episodes. Stephen Colbert brings his signature satire and comedy to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, which is noted as the number one show in late night. The series features comedy and talk, with Colbert hosting the program following the exit of previous host David Letterman, who announced his retirement in April 2014.

Previously on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Season 4 Lore Primer

Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.

  • ⚡ Stephen Colbert was announced as the new host of the show in April 2014.
  • ⚡ The new host role followed the exit of previous host David Letterman, who announced intentions to retire earlier in the month.
  • ⚡ Stephen Colbert brings his signature satire and comedy to the series.
  • ⚡ The program is categorized under comedy and talk.
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Season overview

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 4 continues the overarching saga across 195 episodes. Stephen Colbert brings his signature satire and comedy to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, which is noted as the number one show in late night. The series features comedy and talk, with Colbert hosting the program following the exit of previous host David Letterman, who announced his retirement in April 2014.

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Season 4 Episodes

Episode Guide

🛡️ SPOILER SHIELD

Season 4 Progress Shield

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Binge Efficiency Engine

Season 4: Filler vs. Essential Canon

Filter episodes by narrative weight. Focus on essential mytharc and skip standalone side quests.

98%
Mytharc (3): Crucial lore & season climaxes
Core (192): Character development & subplots
Side Quest (0): Standalone / filler
S4·E3 Core

Emma Thompson, Troye Sivan

Sep 6, 2018 · 45 min

Stephen welcomes actress Emma Thompson and talks with musical guest Troye Sivan.

S4·E9 Core

Anna Kendrick, Anne-Marie

Sep 14, 2018 · 45 min

Stephen welcomes actress Anna Kendrick, with musical guest Anne-Marie.

S4·E11 Core

Jane Fonda, Willie Nelson

Sep 19, 2018 · 45 min

Stephen welcomes actress Jane Fonda and talks with musical guest Willie Nelson.

S4·E15 Core

America Ferrera, Nas

Sep 25, 2018 · 45 min

Stephen welcomes actress America Ferrera with musical guest Nas.

S4·E34 Core

Kerry Washington, Taylor Mac

Oct 29, 2018 · 45 min

Stephen welcomes actress Kerry Washington and talks with musical guest Taylor Mac.

S4·E38 Core

Billy Eichner, Itzhak Perlman

Nov 2, 2018 · 45 min

Stephen welcomes actor Billy Eichner and talks with musical guest Itzhak Perlman.

S4·E39 Core

Jude Law, Amy Klobuchar

Nov 5, 2018 · 45 min

Stephen welcomes actor Jude Law and Senator Amy Klobuchar.

S4·E40 Core

John Heilemann, Alex Wagner, Hasan Minhaj

Nov 6, 2018 · 45 min

Stephen welcomes journalist John Heilemann, journalist Alex Wagner, and comic Hasan Minhaj. (A live broadcast for election night.)

S4·E41 Core

Chris Pine, Major Garrett

Nov 7, 2018 · 45 min

Stephen welcomes actor Chris Pine, Major Garrett, and CBS News chief White House correspondent.

S4·E56 Core

Michelle Obama, Common

Nov 30, 2018 · 45 min

Stephen welcomes former first lady Michelle Obama with musical guest Common.

S4·E69 Core

Steve Carell, KiKi Layne

Dec 19, 2018 · 45 min

Stephen welcomes actor Steve Carell and actress KiKi Layne.

S4·E74 Core

Kevin Hart, Nicole Byer

Jan 9, 2019 · 45 min

Stephen welcomes actor Kevin Hart and comic Nicole Byer.

S4·E87 Core

Cliff Sims, Paul Simon

Jan 28, 2019 · 45 min

Stephen welcomes the former special assistant to President Donald Trump, Cliff Sims, with musical guest Paul Simon.

S4·E97 Core

John Oliver, BLACKPINK

Feb 11, 2019 · 45 min

Stephen welcomes TV host John Oliver with musical guest BLACKPINK.

S4·E100 Core

Bradley Cooper, Pete Buttigieg

Feb 14, 2019 · 45 min

Stephen welcomes actor Bradley Cooper and Democratic presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg.

S4·E103 Core

Andrew McCabe, Dan Levy, Sigrid

Feb 19, 2019 · 45 min

Stephen welcomes former Deputy Director of the FBI Andrew McCabe, actor Dan Levy, with musical guest Sigrid.

S4·E106 Core

Don Cheadle, Colin Quinn

Feb 22, 2019 · 45 min

Stephen welcomes actor Don Cheadle and comic Colin Quinn.

S4·E118 Core

Chris Hayes, Nico Parker

Mar 19, 2019 · 45 min

Stephen welcomes journalist Chris Hayes and actress Nico Parker.

S4·E121 Core

Keri Russell, Martha Stewart

Mar 26, 2019 · 45 min

Stephen welcomes actress Keri Russell and lifestyle expert Martha Stewart.

S4·E122 Core

Charles Barkley, Tig Notaro

Mar 27, 2019 · 45 min

Stephen welcomes sports analyst Charles Barkley and actress Tig Notaro.

S4·E140 Core

Craig Ferguson, Ronda Rousey

May 3, 2019 · 45 min

Stephen welcomes actor Craig Ferguson and professional wrestler Ronda Rousey.

S4·E142 Core

Anne Hathaway, Ari Melber

May 7, 2019 · 45 min

Stephen welcomes actress Anne Hathaway and attorney Ari Melber.

S4·E145 Core

Keanu Reeves, Santino Fontana

May 10, 2019 · 45 min

Stephen welcomes actor Keanu Reeves, actor Santino Fontana, and a special appearance by actor Bryan Cranston.

S4·E146 Core

Bill Hader, James Bay

May 13, 2019 · 45 min

Stephen welcomes actor Bill Hader with musical guest James Bay.

S4·E149 Core

The Cast of The Big Bang Theory, Barenaked Ladies

May 16, 2019 · 45 min

Stephen welcomes actors Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Mayim Bialik, Melissa Rauch (from “The Big Bang Theory”), with a musical performance

S4·E150 Core

Olivia Wilde, Scott Pelley, BTS

May 17, 2019 · 45 min

Stephen welcomes actress Olivia Wilde, journalist Scott Pelley, with musical guest BTS.

S4·E152 Core

Howard Stern

May 21, 2019 · 45 min

Stephen welcomes radio host Howard Stern.

S4·E158 Core

Mindy Kaling, Seth Green

Jun 6, 2019 · 45 min

Stephen welcomes actress Mindy Kaling and actor Seth Green.

S4·E160 Core

Samuel L. Jackson, Ash Carter

Jun 10, 2019 · 45 min

Stephen welcomes actor Samuel L. Jackson and former Defense Secretary Ash Carter.

S4·E162 Core

Beto O'Rourke, Billy Porter

Jun 12, 2019 · 45 min

Stephen welcomes democratic presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke and actor Billy Porter.

S4·E164 Core

Aubrey Plaza, Dan Abrams

Jun 14, 2019 · 45 min

Stephen welcomes actress Aubrey Plaza and journalist Dan Abrams.

S4·E166 Core

Chris Matthews, Jessie Buckley

Jun 18, 2019 · 45 min

Stephen welcomes TV host Chris Matthews and talks with musical guest Jessie Buckley.

S4·E167 Core

Ice Cube, Tig Notaro

Jun 19, 2019 · 45 min

Stephen welcomes actor Ice Cube and comic Tig Notaro.

S4·E170 Core

Tom Holland, Andrew Yang, Jenny Lewis

Jun 24, 2019 · 45 min

Stephen welcomes actor Tom Holland and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang, with musical guest Jenny Lewis.

S4·E171 Core

Zendaya, Julian Edelman

Jun 25, 2019 · 45 min

Stephen welcomes actress Zendaya and professional football player Julian Edelman.

S4·E177 Core

Norah O'Donnell, Topher Grace

Jul 18, 2019 · 45 min

News anchor Norah O'Donnell and actor Topher Grace appear as guests. Ahamed Weinberg performs stand-up comedy.

S4·E178 Core

John Oliver, Joe Namath

Jul 19, 2019 · 45 min

Stephen welcomes TV host John Oliver and retired professional football player Joe Namath.

S4·E181 Core

Chris Wallace, Jamie Bell

Jul 24, 2019 · 45 min

Stephen welcomes TV host Chris Wallace and actor Jamie Bell.

S4·E191 Core

Ron Burgundy

Aug 8, 2019 · 45 min

Stephen welcomes special guest Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell).

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