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The Best Episodes of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 5

Every episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 5 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 5!

Binge this in 18h 45m•Peaking at 6.6/10

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
    The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 5 Episode 1 - Jim Gaffigan, Ann Curry
    6.3/10(34 votes)

    #1 - Jim Gaffigan, Ann Curry

    S5:E1

    Stephen welcomes actor Jim Gaffigan and journalist Ann Curry.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 5 Episode 2 - Vice President Joe Biden, Pixies
    5.6/10(38 votes)

    #2 - Vice President Joe Biden, Pixies

    S5:E2

    Stephen welcomes democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden and a musical performance by Pixies.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 5 Episode 3 - Pete Buttigieg, Graham Norton
    5.5/10(33 votes)

    #3 - Pete Buttigieg, Graham Norton

    S5:E3

    Stephen welcomes democratic presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg and TV host Graham Norton.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 5 Episode 4 - Condoleezza Rice, Bill Skarsgård, Banks
    5.8/10(33 votes)

    #4 - Condoleezza Rice, Bill Skarsgård, Banks

    S5:E4

    Stephen welcomes former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, actor Bill Skarsgård, and a musical performance by BANKS.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 5 Episode 5 - Ansel Elgort, Jodi Kantor, Megan Twohey
    6.0/10(33 votes)

    #5 - Ansel Elgort, Jodi Kantor, Megan Twohey

    S5:E5

    Stephen welcomes actor Ansel Elgort and journalists Jodi Kantor & Megan Twohey.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 5 Episode 6 - James McAvoy; Stephen King; Vampire Weekend
    6.6/10(40 votes)

    #6 - James McAvoy; Stephen King; Vampire Weekend

    S5:E6

    Stephen welcomes actor James McAvoy, author Stephen King, and a musical performance by Vampire Weekend.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  7. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 5 Episode 7 - Jake Tapper, Jon Lovett
    5.8/10(33 votes)

    #7 - Jake Tapper, Jon Lovett

    S5:E7

    Stephen welcomes journalist Jake Tapper and screenwriter Jon Lovett.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 5 Episode 8 - Tom Hiddleston, Marie Osmond
    6.4/10(36 votes)

    #8 - Tom Hiddleston, Marie Osmond

    S5:E8

    Stephen welcomes actor Tom Hiddleston and talk show host Marie Osmond.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 5 Episode 9 - Elizabeth Warren, Barry Williams, Maureen McCormick, Christopher Knight, Eve Plumb, Mike Lookinland, Susan Olsen
    6.0/10(31 votes)

    #9 - Elizabeth Warren, Barry Williams, Maureen McCormick, Christopher Knight, Eve Plumb, Mike Lookinland, Susan Olsen

    S5:E9

    Stephen welcomes Senator Elizabeth Warren and actors Barry Williams, Maureen McCormick, Christopher Knight, Eve Plumb, Mike Lookinland & Susan Olsen (“The Brady Bunch”).

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 5 Episode 10 - Billy Crystal, Thomas Rhett
    5.9/10(32 votes)

    #10 - Billy Crystal, Thomas Rhett

    S5:E10

    Stephen welcomes actor Billy Crystal and a musical performance by Thomas Rhett.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 5 Episode 11 - Taraji P. Henson, Aasif Mandvi, Kevin Camia
    5.8/10(31 votes)

    #11 - Taraji P. Henson, Aasif Mandvi, Kevin Camia

    S5:E11

    Stephen welcomes actress Taraji P. Henson, actor Aasif Mandvi, and comic Kevin Camia.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 5 Episode 12 - The Best of Season 4: The Greatest Season 4 of All Time!
    5.5/10(29 votes)

    #12 - The Best of Season 4: The Greatest Season 4 of All Time!

    S5:E12

    A recap of the best moments of Season 4.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 5 Episode 13 - Paul McCartney
    6.5/10(34 votes)

    #13 - Paul McCartney

    S5:E13

    Stephen welcomes singer-songwriter Paul McCartney.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 5 Episode 14 - Whoopi Goldberg, Ta-Nehisi Coates
    5.7/10(34 votes)

    #14 - Whoopi Goldberg, Ta-Nehisi Coates

    S5:E14

    Stephen welcomes talk show host Whoopi Goldberg and author Ta-Nehisi Coates.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 5 Episode 15 - Renée Zellweger, Walton Goggins
    6.3/10(34 votes)

    #15 - Renée Zellweger, Walton Goggins

    S5:E15

    Stephen welcomes actress Renée Zellweger and actor Walton Goggins.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 5 Episode 16 - Sen. Bernie Sanders, Brittany Howard
    6.1/10(37 votes)

    #16 - Sen. Bernie Sanders, Brittany Howard

    S5:E16

    Stephen welcomes Senator Bernie Sanders and a musical performance by Brittany Howard.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 5 Episode 17 - Patricia Heaton, Tegan and Sara
    5.6/10(35 votes)

    #17 - Patricia Heaton, Tegan and Sara

    S5:E17

    Stephen welcomes actress Patricia Heaton plus an interview with and musical performance by Tegan & Sara.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 5 Episode 18 - Hillary Rodham Clinton, Chelsea Clinton, Wilco
    5.2/10(38 votes)

    #18 - Hillary Rodham Clinton, Chelsea Clinton, Wilco

    S5:E18

    Stephen welcomes former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton & daughter Chelsea Clinton and a musical performance by Wilco.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 5 Episode 19 - Rachel Maddow, Thom Yorke
    6.5/10(33 votes)

    #19 - Rachel Maddow, Thom Yorke

    S5:E19

    Stephen welcomes TV host Rachel Maddow and musician Thom Yorke.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 5 Episode 20 - Rami Malek, Jill Soloway, Leah Bonnema
    5.9/10(33 votes)

    #20 - Rami Malek, Jill Soloway, Leah Bonnema

    S5:E20

    Stephen welcomes actor Rami Malek, TV director Jill Soloway, and comic Leah Bonnema.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 5 Episode 21 - Carrie Underwood, Kevin Smith, Jason Mewes
    5.5/10(31 votes)

    #21 - Carrie Underwood, Kevin Smith, Jason Mewes

    S5:E21

    Stephen welcomes an interview with and musical performance by Carrie Underwood, filmmaker Kevin Smith, and actor Jason Mewes.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 5 Episode 22 - Jon Hamm, Pete Alonso
    5.6/10(30 votes)

    #22 - Jon Hamm, Pete Alonso

    S5:E22

    Stephen welcomes actor Jon Hamm and professional baseball player Pete Alonso.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 5 Episode 23 - Neil deGrasse Tyson, Susan Rice
    6.0/10(32 votes)

    #23 - Neil deGrasse Tyson, Susan Rice

    S5:E23

    Stephen welcomes astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and former national security adviser Susan Rice.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 5 Episode 24 - Will Smith, Andrew Scott
    5.6/10(33 votes)

    #24 - Will Smith, Andrew Scott

    S5:E24

    Stephen welcomes actor Will Smith and actor Andrew Scott.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 5 Episode 25 - Jonathan Van Ness, Brett Gelman, Big Thief, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Pete Buttigieg
    5.8/10(28 votes)

    #25 - Jonathan Van Ness, Brett Gelman, Big Thief, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Pete Buttigieg

    S5:E25

    Stephen welcomes TV personality Jonathan Van Ness, actor Brett Gelman, a musical performance by Big Thief, and special appearances by Democratic presidential hopefuls Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders & Pete Buttigieg.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Season 5 Ratings Summary

"Jim Gaffigan, Ann Curry" is the best rated episode of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" season 5. It scored 6.3/10 based on 34 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 9/3/2019. This episode is rated 0.7 points higher than the second-best, "Vice President Joe Biden, Pixies".