The Long Goodbye

Archer's Line Podcast · May 19, 2026 · 7m

This is Stephen Colbert’s final week on CBS. The last show is Thursday.

And for people who grew up loving television — especially smart television — it feels strange.

I’ve been a fan of Colbert since his days on The Daily Show, back when he and Steve Carell would do those hilariously overcommitted correspondent bits together. There was always something different about him. He was building a character so committed to his own worldview that it became satire through sheer intensity.

And then there was that famous moment when Colbert filled in during a segment after the guest, Al Sharpton, didn’t…