Stephen Colbert’s Director Breaks Down ‘Nonstop Craziness’ of ‘Late Show’ Series Finale

In mid-July 2025, Yvonne De Mare accepted a job offer from Stephen Colbert, marking the end of two decades working with the comedian, first on "The Colbert Report" and then as the director of "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert." Jim Hoskinson, who had directed the show for 14 Emmy nominations, decided to retire, making De Mare the natural choice for the position.

De Mare, who had planned to have knee surgery in August, was initially thrilled about the job offer, but her joy turned to confusion when the show was canceled three days later. Despite the unexpected turn of events, De Mare knew she had just ten more months on the show.

In the final eight weeks, the pressure mounted as celebrities lined up to make their last appearances on the show. De Mare witnessed the stagehands working around the clock to build and dismantle sets for each pre-taped sketch. The final taping took place on May 21, with a star-studded lineup, including Paul McCartney, Bryan Cranston, Paul Rudd, Jon Stewart, and many others.

The atmosphere on set was chaotic, and De Mare described a race-to-the-finish mentality as they worked to complete the show. To capture all the action, the crew added an extra camera operator and robotic cameras in the Ed Sullivan Theater. The finale was a whirlwind of special guests, technical difficulties, and a sci-fi segment featuring a glowing green portal summoned by the show's cancellation.

As Paul McCartney performed "Hello Goodbye," De Mare and her team were stuck in the control room, unable to join their co-workers on stage. They posed for a shot waving to the camera, but De Mare missed the opportunity to include them in the final on-stage celebration. In her post-taping reflection, De Mare admitted that she had blown off the control room crew, feeling terrible for their hard work.

Only after the show ended did De Mare truly comprehend the magnitude of what they had achieved. For 10 months, the team had undergone a nonstop, chaotic experience. As they faded to black, she and her technical director, Karen, hugged and cried, marking a beautiful moment of relief and accomplishment.