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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)

    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
    8.9/10(223 votes)

    S11:E118

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 11 Episode 34 - Sydney Sweeney, Patti Smith, Guillermo del Toro
    7.9/10(62 votes)

    S11:E34

    Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein’s Monster Energy Drink (special appearance by Guillermo del Toro). CSI: Criminal Sandwich Investigation. Sydney Sweeney discusses ‘Christy’. Patti Smith discusses her new book, ‘Bread of Angels’. Patti Smith performs "Peaceable Kingdom".

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 9 Episode 52 - 2/11/24 (John Krasinski, Ryan Gosling, Jon Stewart)
    7.4/10(30 votes)

    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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  5. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 4 Episode 73 - Keegan-Michael Key, Josh Hutcherson
    7.3/10(33 votes)

    S4:E73

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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

    S2:E150

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

    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 2 Episode 167 - Milo Ventimiglia, Judy Greer, Keith Alberstadt
    7.2/10(29 votes)

    S2:E167

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 2 Episode 181 - John Oliver, Woody Harrelson, and Emmylou Harris; Best Moments of the Week, with a Newly-Recorded Opening & Monologue
    7.2/10(29 votes)

    S2:E181

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 2 Episode 182 - Al Gore, Issa Rae, Sufjan Stevens, Nico Muhly, Bryce Dessner, James McAlister, and Russia Week
    7.2/10(28 votes)

    S2:E182

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 2 Episode 184 - James McAvoy, Matteo Lane, Russia Week continues with Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov interviewed
    7.2/10(32 votes)

    S2:E184

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 3 Episode 77 - Willem Dafoe/RuPaul Charles/Roy Wood Jr.
    7.2/10(27 votes)

    S3:E77

    Willem Dafoe; RuPaul Charles (RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (2012)); Roy Wood Jr. (This Is Not Happening (2015)).

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 3 Episode 87 - John Oliver/Beanie Feldstein/Wolfgang Puck
    7.2/10(28 votes)

    S3:E87

    Comic John Oliver (Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (2014)); actress Beanie Feldstein (The Female Brain (2017) and Lady Bird (2017)); chef Wolfgang Puck;

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 3 Episode 175 - Denzel Washington/Joe Kennedy III/Carmen Lagala
    7.2/10(28 votes)

    S3:E175

    Actor Denzel Washington (The Equalizer 2 (2018)); Rep. Joe Kennedy III (D-Mass); comic Carmen Lagala performs;

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 3 Episode 179 - John Dickerson/Michaela Watkins
    7.2/10(26 votes)

    S3:E179

    Journalist John Dickerson (CBS This Morning (1992)); actress Michaela Watkins (Casual (2015));

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 3 Episode 191 - Nicki Minaj/Guy Pearce/Mac Miller
    7.2/10(31 votes)

    S3:E191

    Rapper Nicki Minaj; actor Guy Pearce (The Innocents (2018)); Mac Miller performs;

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 4 Episode 5 - Bob Woodward, The Knocks, Foster the People
    7.2/10(35 votes)

    S4:E5

    Stephen welcomes journalist Bob Woodward with musical guests The Knocks and Foster the People.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 4 Episode 59 - Jeff Daniels, Emily Mortimer
    7.2/10(32 votes)

    S4:E59

    Stephen welcomes actor Jeff Daniels and actress Emily Mortimer.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 4 Episode 60 - Bernie Sanders, Chris Gethard
    7.2/10(33 votes)

    S4:E60

    Stephen welcomes Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and comic Chris Gethard.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 4 Episode 62 - Bryan Cranston, Doris Kearns Goodwin
    7.2/10(33 votes)

    S4:E62

    Stephen welcomes actor Bryan Cranston and historian Doris Kearns Goodwin.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 4 Episode 69 - Steve Carell, KiKi Layne
    7.2/10(33 votes)

    S4:E69

    Stephen welcomes actor Steve Carell and actress KiKi Layne.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 4 Episode 75 - Kamala Harris, Bradley Whitford, Gary Clark Jr.
    7.2/10(32 votes)

    S4:E75

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 4 Episode 77 - James McAvoy, Sonequa Martin-Green, Kane Brown
    7.2/10(35 votes)

    S4:E77

    Stephen welcomes actor James McAvoy, actress Sonequa Martin-Green, with musical guest Kane Brown.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 4 Episode 91 - Super Bowl Edition, with Conan O'Brien, James Taylor
    7.2/10(35 votes)

    S4:E91

    Stephen welcomes TV host Conan O’Brien, James Taylor performs, and surprise guests.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 4 Episode 98 - Regina King, Bill Gates, Melinda Gates, Jena Friedman
    7.2/10(33 votes)

    S4:E98

    Stephen welcomes actress Regina King, philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates, and comic Jena Friedman.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 4 Episode 101 - Jeff Goldblum, Jacques Torres, The Marcus King Band
    7.2/10(31 votes)

    S4:E101

    Stephen welcomes actor Jeff Goldblum, chef Jacques Torres, with musical guest The Marcus King Band.

    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 1.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Hello Goodbye".