Stephen Colbert Guests May 14, 2026
Guests
The May 14, 2026 episode of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert featured David Letterman and the Strokes.
Episode clips
David Letterman
David Letterman reflects on The Late Show’s connection to his mother and defends Stephen Colbert’s voice after the program’s cancellation. He also revisits a signature rooftop stunt, joining Colbert to throw CBS property from the Ed Sullivan Theater.
David Letterman reflects on returning to the Ed Sullivan Theater and says The Late Show brought him closer to his mother, Dorothy, after she became part of the program. He recalls sending her to Norway, jokes that viewers loved her more than him and signs a theater seat in her honor before throwing to commercial.
David Letterman returns to the theater he rebuilt and responds angrily and affectionately to the cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s Late Show, insisting that a network can take a man’s program but not his voice. He jokes about CBS firing him backstage, worries about the other late-night Jimmys and banters with audience members.
David Letterman finally helps Stephen Colbert revive a classic Late Show stunt by tossing CBS property from the roof of the Ed Sullivan Theater. They drop a television, a coffee table and a wedding cake toward a target before Letterman signs off with a pointed message to CBS.
the Strokes
The Strokes perform “Falling Out of Love” from their upcoming album Reality Awaits on The Late Show.
Other episode clips
Stephen Colbert mocks Donald Trump and Xi Jinping’s prolonged handshake, the pomp surrounding Trump’s China visit and Trump’s claim that he only tells the truth. He also covers Fox News finding a market in China, snack shortages and leadership turmoil at the FDA after its director was reportedly fired over fruit-flavored vapes.
FAQ
- Who were the guests on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on May 14, 2026?
- David Letterman and the Strokes were the guests on this episode.
- When did this episode air?
- May 14, 2026.