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The Best Episodes of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Every episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert!

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Stephen Colbert brings his signature satire and comedy to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the #1 show in late night, where he talks with an eclectic mix of guests about what is new and

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 1 Episode 59 - Quentin Tarantino, Jonathan Groff, Squeeze
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #1 - Quentin Tarantino, Jonathan Groff, Squeeze

    S1:E59

    Stephen auditions as Han Solo (appearances by Harrison Ford and J. J. Abrams). Quentin Tarantino discusses ‘The Hateful Eight’ and his career. The Big Furry Hat. Jonathan Groff discusses ‘Hamilton’ and teaches Stephen his King George III walk. Squeeze performs "Happy Days" from their album ‘Cradle to the Grave’, with Jon Batiste & Stay Human providing musical accompaniment.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 1 Episode 60 - Robert De Niro, Daniel Gilbert, Henry Rollins
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #2 - Robert De Niro, Daniel Gilbert, Henry Rollins

    S1:E60

    Hashtag: #SpoilerSpoilers. Robert De Niro discusses ‘Joy’ and his career. De Niro also enjoys a cold martini (and silence) with Stephen. Daniel Gilbert discusses his new book, ‘Stumbling on Happiness’. Henry Rollins discusses ‘He Never Died’ and performs A Very Rollins Christmas with Stephen.

    Director:Unknown
    Writers:Stephen Colbert, Michael Brumm, Nate Charny

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  3. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 1 Episode 61 - Michael Moore, Samantha Power, Michael C. Hall, Lazarus
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #3 - Michael Moore, Samantha Power, Michael C. Hall, Lazarus

    S1:E61

    Crunchy the Squirrel presents Oatie-O’s. Michael Moore discusses ‘Where to Invade Next’ and takes a more positive look at the world. Samantha Power discusses her position as Ambassador to the United Nations. Michael C. Hall discusses ‘Lazarus’. The Late Show Holiday Gift Guide. Hall and the cast of Lazarus perform the title track of the play.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 1 Episode 62 - Mandy Patinkin, Kayvon Beykpour, Leon Bridges
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #4 - Mandy Patinkin, Kayvon Beykpour, Leon Bridges

    S1:E62

    The Late Show celebrates Christmas. Mandy Patinkin discusses ‘Homeland’ and has some thoughts on the world, fear and humanity. Christmas Party Apologies. Kayvon Beykpour discusses ‘Periscope’. Leon Bridges performs Sam Cooke’s "Jesus Gave Me Water".

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 3 Episode 57 - Tom Hanks/Katy Tur/Mac DeMarco
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #5 - Tom Hanks/Katy Tur/Mac DeMarco

    S3:E57

    Actor Tom Hanks ("The Post"); journalist Katy Tur; Mac DeMarco sits in with Jon Batiste and Stay Human.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 4 Episode 69 - Steve Carell, KiKi Layne
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #6 - Steve Carell, KiKi Layne

    S4:E69

    Stephen welcomes actor Steve Carell and actress KiKi Layne.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

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  7. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 4 Episode 73 - Keegan-Michael Key, Josh Hutcherson
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #7 - Keegan-Michael Key, Josh Hutcherson

    S4:E73

    Stephen welcomes actor Keegan-Michael Key and actor Josh Hutcherson.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 4 Episode 75 - Kamala Harris, Bradley Whitford, Gary Clark Jr.
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #8 - Kamala Harris, Bradley Whitford, Gary Clark Jr.

    S4:E75

    Stephen welcomes Senator Kamala Harris, actor Bradley Whitford, with musical guest Gary Clark Jr..

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 4 Episode 151 - Julianna Margulies, Adm. William McRaven, The Broadway cast of 'The Prom'
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #9 - Julianna Margulies, Adm. William McRaven, The Broadway cast of 'The Prom'

    S4:E151

    Stephen welcomes actress Julianna Margulies, retired Adm. William McRaven, and performance from the cast of “The Prom.”

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 4 Episode 152 - Howard Stern
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #10 - Howard Stern

    S4:E152

    Stephen welcomes radio host Howard Stern.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 4 Episode 153 - Senator Kamala Harris, Kaitlyn Dever
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #11 - Senator Kamala Harris, Kaitlyn Dever

    S4:E153

    Stephen welcomes democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and actress Kaitlyn Dever.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 4 Episode 154 - Conan O'Brien, Jim Sciutto, The National
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #12 - Conan O'Brien, Jim Sciutto, The National

    S4:E154

    Stephen welcomes talk show host Conan O’Brien, journalist Jim Sciutto, with musical guest The National.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 4 Episode 155 - Wanda Sykes, Vanessa Bayer
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #13 - Wanda Sykes, Vanessa Bayer

    S4:E155

    Stephen welcomes actress Wanda Sykes and actress Vanessa Bayer.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 4 Episode 163 - Kevin Bacon, Mark Ronson, Lykke Li
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #14 - Kevin Bacon, Mark Ronson, Lykke Li

    S4:E163

    Stephen welcomes actor Kevin Bacon, Mark Ronson talks, with musical guests and with Lykke Li.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 4 Episode 164 - Aubrey Plaza, Dan Abrams
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #15 - Aubrey Plaza, Dan Abrams

    S4:E164

    Stephen welcomes actress Aubrey Plaza and journalist Dan Abrams.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 4 Episode 166 - Chris Matthews, Jessie Buckley
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #16 - Chris Matthews, Jessie Buckley

    S4:E166

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 4 Episode 167 - Ice Cube, Tig Notaro
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #17 - Ice Cube, Tig Notaro

    S4:E167

    Stephen welcomes actor Ice Cube and comic Tig Notaro.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 4 Episode 168 - Russell Crowe, The Raconteurs
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #18 - Russell Crowe, The Raconteurs

    S4:E168

    Stephen welcomes actor Russell Crowe with musical guest The Raconteurs.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 6 Episode 61 - Amy Klobuchar, Adam Kinzinger, Jamila Woods
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #19 - Amy Klobuchar, Adam Kinzinger, Jamila Woods

    S6:E61

    Amy Klobuchar, Adam Kinzinger, Jamila Woods

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 6 Episode 62 - Rachel Brosnahan, Julien Baker
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #20 - Rachel Brosnahan, Julien Baker

    S6:E62

    Rachel Brosnahan, Julien Baker

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 6 Episode 64 - Chris Rock, Aubrey Plaza, Joss Stone
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #21 - Chris Rock, Aubrey Plaza, Joss Stone

    S6:E64

    Chris Rock, Aubrey Plaza, Joss Stone

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 6 Episode 65 - James Comey, Lili Reinhart
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #22 - James Comey, Lili Reinhart

    S6:E65

    James Comey, Lili Reinhart

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 6 Episode 66 - Samantha Bee, Paul Mescal
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #23 - Samantha Bee, Paul Mescal

    S6:E66

    Samantha Bee, Paul Mescal

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 7 Episode 54 - Jennifer Lawrence, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #24 - Jennifer Lawrence, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats

    S7:E54

    Stephen welcomes actress Jennifer Lawrence and a musical performance by Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 7 Episode 77 - Elvis Costello
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #25 - Elvis Costello

    S7:E77

    Stephen welcomes musician Elvis Costello and a musical performance by Elvis Costello & the Imposters.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"Quentin Tarantino, Jonathan Groff, Squeeze" is the best rated episode of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert". It scored 10/10 based on 1 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 12/15/2015. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Robert De Niro, Daniel Gilbert, Henry Rollins".