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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 7 Episode 130 - Mark Esper, Judd Apatow
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #1 - Mark Esper, Judd Apatow

    S7:E130

    Stephen welcomes Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, and director Judd Apatow.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 11 Episode 118 - Hello Goodbye
    8.8/10(213 votes)

    #2 - Hello Goodbye

    S11:E118

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 1 Episode 3 - Vice President Joe Biden, Travis Kalanick, Toby Keith
    7.4/10(122 votes)

    #3 - Vice President Joe Biden, Travis Kalanick, Toby Keith

    S1:E3

    Joe Biden and Stephen discuss how the tragic losses of family members affected their lives. Travis Kalanick discusses 'Uber. Toby Keith performed "Rum is the Reason" off his album '35 MPH Town’.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 2 Episode 165 - Olivia Wilde, Eddie Izzard, Nick Cave
    7.4/10(35 votes)

    #4 - Olivia Wilde, Eddie Izzard, Nick Cave

    S2:E165

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 2 Episode 204 - Ellie Kemper, Andrew Dice Clay, Peter Serafinowicz
    7.4/10(27 votes)

    #5 - Ellie Kemper, Andrew Dice Clay, Peter Serafinowicz

    S2:E204

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 3 Episode 32 - Nicole Kidman, Jonathan Groff, Walter Isaacson
    7.4/10(54 votes)

    #6 - Nicole Kidman, Jonathan Groff, Walter Isaacson

    S3:E32

    Rugs: A Public Service Announcement. Big Questions with Even Bigger Stars (with Nicole Kidman). Nicole Kidman discusses ‘Big Little Lies’ and ‘The Killing of a Sacred Deer’. Jonathan Groff discusses ‘Hamilton’ and ‘Mindhunter’. Jonathan Groff and Stephen present ‘Mindhunter: The Musical’. Whitaker Media Rights Holding Company LLC World.

    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 9 Episode 50 - 2/7/24 (Christopher Nolan)
    7.4/10(26 votes)

    #7 - 2/7/24 (Christopher Nolan)

    S9:E50

    Stephen welcomes filmmaker Christopher Nolan.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 9 Episode 52 - 2/11/24 (John Krasinski, Ryan Gosling, Jon Stewart)
    7.4/10(29 votes)

    #8 - 2/11/24 (John Krasinski, Ryan Gosling, Jon Stewart)

    S9:E52

    Stephen welcomes actor John Krasinski, actor Ryan Gosling, with a special appearance by Jon Stewart.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 10 Episode 149 - Vice President Kamala Harris, Renée Rapp
    7.4/10(27 votes)

    #9 - Vice President Kamala Harris, Renée Rapp

    S10:E149

    Vice President Kamala Harris discusses recent politics and her new book, '107 Days'. Reneé Rapp performs "Shy" from her new album, 'Bite Me'.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 11 Episode 108 - Barack Obama
    7.4/10(59 votes)

    #10 - Barack Obama

    S11:E108

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 1 Episode 11 - Donald Trump, Dr. Ernest Moniz, Raury
    7.3/10(72 votes)

    #11 - Donald Trump, Dr. Ernest Moniz, Raury

    S1:E11

    The Hungry for Power Games (Scott Walker). Donald Trump discusses his presidential campaign. Trump or Colbert? Ernest Moniz discusses the Iran nuclear deal. Raury performs "Devil's Whisper" from his album ‘All We Need’.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 2 Episode 145 - Jon Stewart, Samantha Bee, John Oliver, Ed Helms, Rob Corddry
    7.3/10(60 votes)

    #12 - Jon Stewart, Samantha Bee, John Oliver, Ed Helms, Rob Corddry

    S2:E145

    Comic Jon Stewart; TV host Samantha Bee; TV host John Oliver; actor Ed Helms; actor Rob Corddry.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 2 Episode 162 - John Mulaney, Richard Branson, Halsey
    7.3/10(26 votes)

    #13 - John Mulaney, Richard Branson, Halsey

    S2:E162

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 2 Episode 177 - Woody Harrelson, Cobie Smulders, Emmylou Harris & Her Red Dirt Boys
    7.3/10(30 votes)

    #14 - Woody Harrelson, Cobie Smulders, Emmylou Harris & Her Red Dirt Boys

    S2:E177

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 2 Episode 179 - John Oliver, Mike Birbiglia, Michael Showalter
    7.3/10(48 votes)

    #15 - John Oliver, Mike Birbiglia, Michael Showalter

    S2:E179

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 2 Episode 198 - Christoph Waltz, Chris O'Dowd, Sean Evans
    7.3/10(39 votes)

    #16 - Christoph Waltz, Chris O'Dowd, Sean Evans

    S2:E198

    Actor Christoph Waltz; actor Chris O'Dowd; YouTube personality Sean Evans.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 3 Episode 97 - Steve Buscemi/Sebastian Maniscalco
    7.3/10(27 votes)

    #17 - Steve Buscemi/Sebastian Maniscalco

    S3:E97

    Actor Steve Buscemi (Miracle Workers (2019)); comic Sebastian Maniscalco;

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 4 Episode 1 - John Krasinski, Yvonne Orji
    7.3/10(46 votes)

    #18 - John Krasinski, Yvonne Orji

    S4:E1

    Stephen welcomes actor John Krasinski and actress Yvonne Orji.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 4 Episode 73 - Keegan-Michael Key, Josh Hutcherson
    7.3/10(32 votes)

    #19 - 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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  20. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 4 Episode 81 - William H. Macy, Rebecca Traister
    7.3/10(32 votes)

    #20 - William H. Macy, Rebecca Traister

    S4:E81

    Stephen welcomes actor William H. Macy and author Rebecca Traister.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 4 Episode 97 - John Oliver, BLACKPINK
    7.3/10(48 votes)

    #21 - John Oliver, BLACKPINK

    S4:E97

    Stephen welcomes TV host John Oliver with musical guest BLACKPINK.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 4 Episode 99 - Trevor Noah, Natasha Lyonne
    7.3/10(35 votes)

    #22 - Trevor Noah, Natasha Lyonne

    S4:E99

    Stephen welcomes TV host Trevor Noah and actress Natasha Lyonne.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 11 Episode 114 - David Letterman, the Strokes
    7.3/10(74 votes)

    #23 - David Letterman, the Strokes

    S11:E114

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 11 Episode 117 - Bruce Springsteen
    7.3/10(81 votes)

    #24 - Bruce Springsteen

    S11:E117

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 2 Episode 150 - Gina Rodriguez, Ben Falcone, Jesus and Mary Chain
    7.2/10(34 votes)

    #25 - Gina Rodriguez, Ben Falcone, Jesus and Mary Chain

    S2:E150

    Actress Gina Rodriguez; actor Ben Falcone; Jesus and Mary Chain performs.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"Mark Esper, Judd Apatow" 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 5/16/2022. This episode scored 1.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "Hello Goodbye".