‘It Was A Great Lesson For Me’: The Life Advice Conan O’Brien Gave Stephen Colbert About The Late Show Ending

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Fans and industry professionals are still upset about the surprising announcement that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will be ending (though it will continue airing through the current season, concluding sometime in May 2026). Rachel Maddow recently criticized the decision, and Colbert expressed his disappointment that the show wouldn’t be continued with a new host. Now, Colbert has received some helpful advice from Conan O’Brien, who understands what it’s like to retire from a long career in late-night television.

What Life Advice Did Conan O’Brien Give Stephen Colbert As The Late Show Prepares To End?

Even though The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is doing well against other late-night shows and won’t end anytime soon, Colbert is likely feeling a lot of pressure to finish the current season strongly and make a great impression.

Despite two decades of success as a talk show host, Stephen Colbert isn’t focused on his future career plans. He described the end of The Late Show as an unclear picture – he’s unsure if what’s coming is positive or negative. While speaking with Conan O’Brien at a Montclair Film fundraiser (according to The Hollywood Reporter), Colbert received advice from O’Brien, who shared his own experience of leaving late night television in 2021. O’Brien explained:

It’s been four years since I wrapped things up, and honestly, it’s been amazing! I’ve had so much fun and learned a ton. I think what people see in shows like Stephen Colbert’s is just him trying to connect with us, but there are so many other ways to find real joy and discover what you’re truly good at. You’ll find things that really make you happy, and you’ll be fantastic at them, I just know it!

Colbert isn’t sure what’s next after his show ends, but O’Brien reassured him that hosting a late-night talk show isn’t the only path for doing what he enjoys. O’Brien explained that the show has simply been a vehicle for Stephen Colbert to connect with audiences, not the defining aspect of his talent.

As a longtime fan, I always loved Conan O’Brien’s late-night presence – almost three decades and three different shows is incredible! But what’s really cool is what he’s been up to since then. He’s not slowing down at all! He’s got a really popular podcast going, and he even created a hilarious travel series called Conan O’Brien Must Go that you can stream if you have HBO Max.

He went on to share a surprising benefit of life after hosting a talk show – something Stephen Colbert will experience eventually.

People will eventually be enthusiastically talking about something else you’ve created, but you haven’t started working on that yet. You’re not at that stage.

Colbert is clearly a thoughtful person, so it’s unlikely he hasn’t considered what he’ll do after The Late Show ends, even though he’s dedicated to giving the show a great finale. Hopefully, he’ll listen to Conan O’Brien’s advice and realize he’ll have opportunities to entertain and inform people again when the time is right.

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2025-12-11 19:42