The Late Show with Stephen Colbert poster
7.5/10 (116 votes)
#1

Vice President Joe Biden, Travis Kalanick, Toby Keith

S1:E3

Stephen welcomes Vice President Joe Biden, Uber CEO Travis Kalanick, plus a musical performance by Toby Keith.

7.2/10 (71 votes)
#2

Lupita Nyong’o, Sen. Bernie Sanders, An American in Paris (Christopher Wheeldon, Robert Fairchild, Leanne Cope)

S1:E9

Stephen welcomes Lupita Nyong’o, Senator Bernie Sanders, plus an interview with and performance by “An American in Paris’” Christopher Wheeldon, Robert Fairchild, and Leanne Cope

Oh_My_Jihyo Sep 19, 2015

Vote Bernie Sanders 2016! #FeelTheBern

7.2/10 (69 votes)
#3

Donald Trump, Dr. Ernest Moniz, Raury

S1:E11

Stephen welcomes Donald Trump, U.S. Secretary of Energy Dr. Ernest Moniz, plus a musical performance by Raury.

7.1/10 (143 votes)
#4

George Clooney, Jeb Bush, Jon Batiste & Stay Human

S1:E1

Stephen welcomes George Clooney, Republican Presidential candidate Jeb Bush, plus a musical performance by Jon Batiste & Stay Human with special guests.

AndrewBloom Sep 11, 2015

Some of the old Colbert Report charm that I so enjoyed is still alive and well, from Stephen's abili...

7.1/10 (70 votes)
#5

Kevin Spacey, Carol Burnett, Abbi Jacobson, Ilana Glazer, Willie Nelson

S1:E7

Stephen welcomes actor Kevin Spacey, TV legend Carol Burnett, plus a performance and interview with Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp.

7.0/10 (92 votes)
#6

Scarlett Johansson, Elon Musk, Kendrick Lamar

S1:E2

Stephen welcomes actress Scarlett Johansson, Space X and Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk, plus an interview with and musical performance by Kendrick Lamar.

izzmo Sep 10, 2015

Awkward interview with both ScarJo and Elon...

7.0/10 (69 votes)
#7

Emily Blunt, Justice Stephen Breyer, The Dead Weather

S1:E5

Stephen welcomes actress Emily Blunt, Justice Stephen Breyer, plus a performance by The Dead Weather.

6.9/10 (67 votes)
#8

Tim Cook, Jake Gyllenhaal, Run The Jewels with TV On The Radio

S1:E6

Stephen welcomes actor Jake Gyllenhaal, Apple CEO Tim Cook, plus a performance by Run the Jewels with TV on the Radio.

izzmo Sep 16, 2015

Gotta give it to Jake Gyllenhaal, he is a good guest.

6.8/10 (73 votes)
#9

Amy Schumer, Stephen King, Troubled Waters (Paul Simon)

S1:E4

Stephen welcomes comedian Amy Schumer, author Stephen King, plus an interview with and performance by Troubled Waters.

6.8/10 (63 votes)
#10

Trevor Noah, U.N. Ban Ki-Moon, Chris Stapleton

S1:E8

Stephen welcomes Trevor Noah, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, plus a musical performance by Chris Stapleton.

6.7/10 (62 votes)
#11

Stephen Curry, Sen. Ted Cruz, Don Henley

S1:E10

Stephen welcomes NBA MVP Stephen Curry, Senator Ted Cruz, plus a musical performance by Don Henley.

izzmo Sep 22, 2015

Haha, Ted Cruz avoiding questions like usual.

6.6/10 (59 votes)
#12

Hugh Jackman, Hugh Evans, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Pearl Jam

S1:E12

Stephen welcomes actor Hugh Jackman with founder of the Global Poverty Projects Hugh Evans, Senator Elizabeth Warren, plus an interview with and musical performance by Pearl Jam.

adelate Sep 24, 2015

Elizabeth Warren is so freaking amazing.

6.6/10 (52 votes)
#13

Malala Yousafzai, Kerry Washington, The Arcs

S1:E14

Stephen welcome Pakistani activist Malala Yousadzai, American actress Kerry Washington, plus Dan Auerbach's band The Arcs.

Chris.Zoot.Curren Oct 1, 2015

Why did they change the opening credits for this episode?!

6.6/10 (52 votes)
#14

Morgan Freeman, Ruth Wilson, Sean Murray

S1:E19

Stephen welcomes actor Morgan Freeman, executive producer of the CBS series “Madam Secretary,” actress Ruth Wilson, plus an interview with and demonstration by Hello Games founder Sean Murray.

6.5/10 (50 votes)
#15

John Oliver, Evan Spiegel, Bill Withers, Ed Sheeran

S1:E17

Stephen welcomes John Oliver, founder of Snapchat Evan Spiegel, plus an interview with singer-songwriter Bill Withers and a performance by Ed Sheeran.

6.4/10 (50 votes)
#16

Bill Clinton, Billy Eichner, Florence & the Machine

S1:E21

Stephen welcomes Former President Bill Clinton, comic Billy Eichner, plus a musical performance by Florence and the Machine.

6.3/10 (53 votes)
#17

Andrew Sullivan, Maria Shriver, Jim Gaffigan, Archbishop Thomas Wenski, YMCA Jerusalem Youth Chorus, the Choir of St. Jean Baptiste

S1:E13

Stephen welcomes author Andrew Sullivan, journalist and activist Maria Shriver, comedian Jim Gaffigan, Archbishop Thomas Wenski, plus a musical performance by the YMCA Jerusalem Youth Chorus and the Choir of St. Jean Baptiste.

izzmo Sep 25, 2015

Weak episode. Everything is about the pope. If you don't care, skip it.

6.3/10 (48 votes)
#18

Ellen Page, Jesse Eisenberg, Dominic Wilcox

S1:E16

Stephen welcomes actress Ellen Page, actor Jesse Eisenberg, plus inventor and designer Dominic Wilcox.

6.3/10 (45 votes)
#19

Carey Mulligan, Elvis Costello, Darlene Love

S1:E25

Stephen welcomes actress Carey Mulligan, musician Elvis Costello, plus a musical performance by Darlene Love.

6.2/10 (46 votes)
#20

Senator John McCain, Yo-Yo Ma, Misty Copeland

S1:E20

Stephen welcomes Senator John McCain, special guest Yo-Yo Ma, plus an interview with and performance by ballerina Misty Copeland.

6.2/10 (42 votes)
#21

Cate Blanchett, Brian Chesky, Dartmouth Football Dummy

S1:E23

Stephen welcomes actress Cate Blanchett, Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, and Dartmouth's Robotic MVP.

6.1/10 (51 votes)
#22

First Lady Michelle Obama, John Legend

S1:E15

Stephen welcomes First Lady Michelle Obama and singer John Legend.

6.1/10 (46 votes)
#23

John Kerry, Claire Danes, PewDiePie

S1:E18

Stephen welcomes Secretary of State John Kerry, actress Claire Danes, and YouTube comedian PewDiePie.

6.0/10 (45 votes)
#24

James Corden, Shane Smith, Halsey

S1:E24

Stephen welcomes TV host James Corden, Vice Media CEO Shane Smith, plus a musical performance by Halsey.

izzmo Oct 10, 2015

"American's need to be smard."

5.3/10 (38 votes)
#25

Gina Rodriguez, Ben Bernanke, Tame Impala

S1:E22

Stephen welcomes actress Gina Rodriguez, economist Ben Bernanke, plus musical guest Tame Impala.

izzmo Oct 8, 2015

Gina Rodriguez sure does have a big ego.

5.3/10 (38 votes)
#1

Gina Rodriguez, Ben Bernanke, Tame Impala

S1:E22

Stephen welcomes actress Gina Rodriguez, economist Ben Bernanke, plus musical guest Tame Impala.

izzmo Oct 8, 2015

Gina Rodriguez sure does have a big ego.

6.0/10 (45 votes)
#2

James Corden, Shane Smith, Halsey

S1:E24

Stephen welcomes TV host James Corden, Vice Media CEO Shane Smith, plus a musical performance by Halsey.

izzmo Oct 10, 2015

"American's need to be smard."

6.1/10 (51 votes)
#3

First Lady Michelle Obama, John Legend

S1:E15

Stephen welcomes First Lady Michelle Obama and singer John Legend.

6.1/10 (46 votes)
#4

John Kerry, Claire Danes, PewDiePie

S1:E18

Stephen welcomes Secretary of State John Kerry, actress Claire Danes, and YouTube comedian PewDiePie.

6.2/10 (46 votes)
#5

Senator John McCain, Yo-Yo Ma, Misty Copeland

S1:E20

Stephen welcomes Senator John McCain, special guest Yo-Yo Ma, plus an interview with and performance by ballerina Misty Copeland.

6.2/10 (42 votes)
#6

Cate Blanchett, Brian Chesky, Dartmouth Football Dummy

S1:E23

Stephen welcomes actress Cate Blanchett, Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, and Dartmouth's Robotic MVP.

6.3/10 (53 votes)
#7

Andrew Sullivan, Maria Shriver, Jim Gaffigan, Archbishop Thomas Wenski, YMCA Jerusalem Youth Chorus, the Choir of St. Jean Baptiste

S1:E13

Stephen welcomes author Andrew Sullivan, journalist and activist Maria Shriver, comedian Jim Gaffigan, Archbishop Thomas Wenski, plus a musical performance by the YMCA Jerusalem Youth Chorus and the Choir of St. Jean Baptiste.

izzmo Sep 25, 2015

Weak episode. Everything is about the pope. If you don't care, skip it.

6.3/10 (48 votes)
#8

Ellen Page, Jesse Eisenberg, Dominic Wilcox

S1:E16

Stephen welcomes actress Ellen Page, actor Jesse Eisenberg, plus inventor and designer Dominic Wilcox.

6.3/10 (45 votes)
#9

Carey Mulligan, Elvis Costello, Darlene Love

S1:E25

Stephen welcomes actress Carey Mulligan, musician Elvis Costello, plus a musical performance by Darlene Love.

6.4/10 (50 votes)
#10

Bill Clinton, Billy Eichner, Florence & the Machine

S1:E21

Stephen welcomes Former President Bill Clinton, comic Billy Eichner, plus a musical performance by Florence and the Machine.

6.5/10 (50 votes)
#11

John Oliver, Evan Spiegel, Bill Withers, Ed Sheeran

S1:E17

Stephen welcomes John Oliver, founder of Snapchat Evan Spiegel, plus an interview with singer-songwriter Bill Withers and a performance by Ed Sheeran.

6.6/10 (59 votes)
#12

Hugh Jackman, Hugh Evans, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Pearl Jam

S1:E12

Stephen welcomes actor Hugh Jackman with founder of the Global Poverty Projects Hugh Evans, Senator Elizabeth Warren, plus an interview with and musical performance by Pearl Jam.

adelate Sep 24, 2015

Elizabeth Warren is so freaking amazing.

6.6/10 (52 votes)
#13

Malala Yousafzai, Kerry Washington, The Arcs

S1:E14

Stephen welcome Pakistani activist Malala Yousadzai, American actress Kerry Washington, plus Dan Auerbach's band The Arcs.

Chris.Zoot.Curren Oct 1, 2015

Why did they change the opening credits for this episode?!

6.6/10 (52 votes)
#14

Morgan Freeman, Ruth Wilson, Sean Murray

S1:E19

Stephen welcomes actor Morgan Freeman, executive producer of the CBS series “Madam Secretary,” actress Ruth Wilson, plus an interview with and demonstration by Hello Games founder Sean Murray.

6.7/10 (62 votes)
#15

Stephen Curry, Sen. Ted Cruz, Don Henley

S1:E10

Stephen welcomes NBA MVP Stephen Curry, Senator Ted Cruz, plus a musical performance by Don Henley.

izzmo Sep 22, 2015

Haha, Ted Cruz avoiding questions like usual.

6.8/10 (73 votes)
#16

Amy Schumer, Stephen King, Troubled Waters (Paul Simon)

S1:E4

Stephen welcomes comedian Amy Schumer, author Stephen King, plus an interview with and performance by Troubled Waters.

6.8/10 (63 votes)
#17

Trevor Noah, U.N. Ban Ki-Moon, Chris Stapleton

S1:E8

Stephen welcomes Trevor Noah, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, plus a musical performance by Chris Stapleton.

6.9/10 (67 votes)
#18

Tim Cook, Jake Gyllenhaal, Run The Jewels with TV On The Radio

S1:E6

Stephen welcomes actor Jake Gyllenhaal, Apple CEO Tim Cook, plus a performance by Run the Jewels with TV on the Radio.

izzmo Sep 16, 2015

Gotta give it to Jake Gyllenhaal, he is a good guest.

7.0/10 (92 votes)
#19

Scarlett Johansson, Elon Musk, Kendrick Lamar

S1:E2

Stephen welcomes actress Scarlett Johansson, Space X and Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk, plus an interview with and musical performance by Kendrick Lamar.

izzmo Sep 10, 2015

Awkward interview with both ScarJo and Elon...

7.0/10 (69 votes)
#20

Emily Blunt, Justice Stephen Breyer, The Dead Weather

S1:E5

Stephen welcomes actress Emily Blunt, Justice Stephen Breyer, plus a performance by The Dead Weather.

7.1/10 (143 votes)
#21

George Clooney, Jeb Bush, Jon Batiste & Stay Human

S1:E1

Stephen welcomes George Clooney, Republican Presidential candidate Jeb Bush, plus a musical performance by Jon Batiste & Stay Human with special guests.

AndrewBloom Sep 11, 2015

Some of the old Colbert Report charm that I so enjoyed is still alive and well, from Stephen's abili...

7.1/10 (70 votes)
#22

Kevin Spacey, Carol Burnett, Abbi Jacobson, Ilana Glazer, Willie Nelson

S1:E7

Stephen welcomes actor Kevin Spacey, TV legend Carol Burnett, plus a performance and interview with Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp.

7.2/10 (71 votes)
#23

Lupita Nyong’o, Sen. Bernie Sanders, An American in Paris (Christopher Wheeldon, Robert Fairchild, Leanne Cope)

S1:E9

Stephen welcomes Lupita Nyong’o, Senator Bernie Sanders, plus an interview with and performance by “An American in Paris’” Christopher Wheeldon, Robert Fairchild, and Leanne Cope

Oh_My_Jihyo Sep 19, 2015

Vote Bernie Sanders 2016! #FeelTheBern

7.2/10 (69 votes)
#24

Donald Trump, Dr. Ernest Moniz, Raury

S1:E11

Stephen welcomes Donald Trump, U.S. Secretary of Energy Dr. Ernest Moniz, plus a musical performance by Raury.

7.5/10 (116 votes)
#25

Vice President Joe Biden, Travis Kalanick, Toby Keith

S1:E3

Stephen welcomes Vice President Joe Biden, Uber CEO Travis Kalanick, plus a musical performance by Toby Keith.

7.1/10 (143 votes)

George Clooney, Jeb Bush, Jon Batiste & Stay Human

S1:E1

Stephen welcomes George Clooney, Republican Presidential candidate Jeb Bush, plus a musical performance by Jon Batiste & Stay Human with special guests.

AndrewBloom Sep 11, 2015

Some of the old Colbert Report charm that I so enjoyed is still alive and well, from Stephen's abili...

7.0/10 (92 votes)

Scarlett Johansson, Elon Musk, Kendrick Lamar

S1:E2

Stephen welcomes actress Scarlett Johansson, Space X and Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk, plus an interview with and musical performance by Kendrick Lamar.

izzmo Sep 10, 2015

Awkward interview with both ScarJo and Elon...

7.5/10 (116 votes)

Vice President Joe Biden, Travis Kalanick, Toby Keith

S1:E3

Stephen welcomes Vice President Joe Biden, Uber CEO Travis Kalanick, plus a musical performance by Toby Keith.

6.8/10 (73 votes)

Amy Schumer, Stephen King, Troubled Waters (Paul Simon)

S1:E4

Stephen welcomes comedian Amy Schumer, author Stephen King, plus an interview with and performance by Troubled Waters.

7.0/10 (69 votes)

Emily Blunt, Justice Stephen Breyer, The Dead Weather

S1:E5

Stephen welcomes actress Emily Blunt, Justice Stephen Breyer, plus a performance by The Dead Weather.

6.9/10 (67 votes)

Tim Cook, Jake Gyllenhaal, Run The Jewels with TV On The Radio

S1:E6

Stephen welcomes actor Jake Gyllenhaal, Apple CEO Tim Cook, plus a performance by Run the Jewels with TV on the Radio.

izzmo Sep 16, 2015

Gotta give it to Jake Gyllenhaal, he is a good guest.

7.1/10 (70 votes)

Kevin Spacey, Carol Burnett, Abbi Jacobson, Ilana Glazer, Willie Nelson

S1:E7

Stephen welcomes actor Kevin Spacey, TV legend Carol Burnett, plus a performance and interview with Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp.

6.8/10 (63 votes)

Trevor Noah, U.N. Ban Ki-Moon, Chris Stapleton

S1:E8

Stephen welcomes Trevor Noah, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, plus a musical performance by Chris Stapleton.

7.2/10 (71 votes)

Lupita Nyong’o, Sen. Bernie Sanders, An American in Paris (Christopher Wheeldon, Robert Fairchild, Leanne Cope)

S1:E9

Stephen welcomes Lupita Nyong’o, Senator Bernie Sanders, plus an interview with and performance by “An American in Paris’” Christopher Wheeldon, Robert Fairchild, and Leanne Cope

Oh_My_Jihyo Sep 19, 2015

Vote Bernie Sanders 2016! #FeelTheBern

6.7/10 (62 votes)

Stephen Curry, Sen. Ted Cruz, Don Henley

S1:E10

Stephen welcomes NBA MVP Stephen Curry, Senator Ted Cruz, plus a musical performance by Don Henley.

izzmo Sep 22, 2015

Haha, Ted Cruz avoiding questions like usual.

7.2/10 (69 votes)

Donald Trump, Dr. Ernest Moniz, Raury

S1:E11

Stephen welcomes Donald Trump, U.S. Secretary of Energy Dr. Ernest Moniz, plus a musical performance by Raury.

6.6/10 (59 votes)

Hugh Jackman, Hugh Evans, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Pearl Jam

S1:E12

Stephen welcomes actor Hugh Jackman with founder of the Global Poverty Projects Hugh Evans, Senator Elizabeth Warren, plus an interview with and musical performance by Pearl Jam.

adelate Sep 24, 2015

Elizabeth Warren is so freaking amazing.

6.3/10 (53 votes)

Andrew Sullivan, Maria Shriver, Jim Gaffigan, Archbishop Thomas Wenski, YMCA Jerusalem Youth Chorus, the Choir of St. Jean Baptiste

S1:E13

Stephen welcomes author Andrew Sullivan, journalist and activist Maria Shriver, comedian Jim Gaffigan, Archbishop Thomas Wenski, plus a musical performance by the YMCA Jerusalem Youth Chorus and the Choir of St. Jean Baptiste.

izzmo Sep 25, 2015

Weak episode. Everything is about the pope. If you don't care, skip it.

6.6/10 (52 votes)

Malala Yousafzai, Kerry Washington, The Arcs

S1:E14

Stephen welcome Pakistani activist Malala Yousadzai, American actress Kerry Washington, plus Dan Auerbach's band The Arcs.

Chris.Zoot.Curren Oct 1, 2015

Why did they change the opening credits for this episode?!

6.1/10 (51 votes)

First Lady Michelle Obama, John Legend

S1:E15

Stephen welcomes First Lady Michelle Obama and singer John Legend.

6.3/10 (48 votes)

Ellen Page, Jesse Eisenberg, Dominic Wilcox

S1:E16

Stephen welcomes actress Ellen Page, actor Jesse Eisenberg, plus inventor and designer Dominic Wilcox.

6.5/10 (50 votes)

John Oliver, Evan Spiegel, Bill Withers, Ed Sheeran

S1:E17

Stephen welcomes John Oliver, founder of Snapchat Evan Spiegel, plus an interview with singer-songwriter Bill Withers and a performance by Ed Sheeran.

6.1/10 (46 votes)

John Kerry, Claire Danes, PewDiePie

S1:E18

Stephen welcomes Secretary of State John Kerry, actress Claire Danes, and YouTube comedian PewDiePie.

6.6/10 (52 votes)

Morgan Freeman, Ruth Wilson, Sean Murray

S1:E19

Stephen welcomes actor Morgan Freeman, executive producer of the CBS series “Madam Secretary,” actress Ruth Wilson, plus an interview with and demonstration by Hello Games founder Sean Murray.

6.2/10 (46 votes)

Senator John McCain, Yo-Yo Ma, Misty Copeland

S1:E20

Stephen welcomes Senator John McCain, special guest Yo-Yo Ma, plus an interview with and performance by ballerina Misty Copeland.

6.4/10 (50 votes)

Bill Clinton, Billy Eichner, Florence & the Machine

S1:E21

Stephen welcomes Former President Bill Clinton, comic Billy Eichner, plus a musical performance by Florence and the Machine.

5.3/10 (38 votes)

Gina Rodriguez, Ben Bernanke, Tame Impala

S1:E22

Stephen welcomes actress Gina Rodriguez, economist Ben Bernanke, plus musical guest Tame Impala.

izzmo Oct 8, 2015

Gina Rodriguez sure does have a big ego.

6.2/10 (42 votes)

Cate Blanchett, Brian Chesky, Dartmouth Football Dummy

S1:E23

Stephen welcomes actress Cate Blanchett, Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, and Dartmouth's Robotic MVP.

6.0/10 (45 votes)

James Corden, Shane Smith, Halsey

S1:E24

Stephen welcomes TV host James Corden, Vice Media CEO Shane Smith, plus a musical performance by Halsey.

izzmo Oct 10, 2015

"American's need to be smard."

6.3/10 (45 votes)

Carey Mulligan, Elvis Costello, Darlene Love

S1:E25

Stephen welcomes actress Carey Mulligan, musician Elvis Costello, plus a musical performance by Darlene Love.

Season Average Rating Episodes Best Episode Worst Episode
1 ★ 6.6 25
★ 7.5 Vice President Joe Biden, Travis Kalanick, Toby Keith
★ 5.3 Gina Rodriguez, Ben Bernanke, Tame Impala
4 ★ 6.4 25
★ 7.6 John Krasinski, Yvonne Orji
★ 4.6 “Admit It, You Forgot This Happened”
7 ★ 6.3 25
★ 7.1 Jeff Daniels, Nate Burleson
★ 5.4 Rebecca Ferguson
8 ★ 5.4 18
★ 6.1 Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney, James Taylor
★ 4.7 Maggie Haberman
2 ★ 4.9 25
★ 5.7 Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Millie Bobby Brown, The Head and The Heart
★ 4.3 Samantha Bee, Abby Elliott, Asa Butterfield