Stephen Colbert Breaks Social Media Silence With Post for Dog’s Birthday

A Quiet Return After the Ed Sullivan Theater Finale

For nearly two months, Stephen Colbert maintained a self-imposed social media silence, with his final post on May 22 simply showing him waving to a live studio audience with the caption, thank you! That silence broke on Sunday, July 19, when the 62-year-old entertainer posted a tribute to his Boykin spaniel, Benny, celebrating the dog’s seventh birthday. As USA Today reported, the dog became a recurring presence on The Late Show after his debut as a puppy in December 2019.

Colbert’s return to the digital space comes after a final broadcast on May 21 that saw the host and musician Paul McCartney operate an oversized light switch to turn the Ed Sullivan Theater into a literal snow globe. Benny, the host’s frequent companion during rehearsals, was featured in the show’s closing moments, seen investigating the set as the program reached its conclusion.

The Cancellation of The Late Show

The end of The Late Show was first announced in July 2025, a decision that surprised both viewers and the host himself. According to usmagazine.com, Colbert addressed the audience during a taping that month, stating, It’s not just the end of our show, but it’s the end of The Late Show on CBS. I’m not being replaced. This is all just going away.

While the network maintained that the move was purely a financial decision unrelated to the program’s performance or content, the cancellation sparked significant public speculation. The network has consistently denied that political motivations played a role in the show’s departure, citing financial reasons as the primary driver for the cancellation.

Life After the Ed Sullivan Theater

Since his final bow in May, Colbert has kept a relatively low profile, though he has made a few select appearances. The day after the finale, he briefly guest-hosted a Michigan public-access program, joking that it had been an excruciating 23 hours without being on TV. In June, he appeared on stage to pay tribute to his wife, Evelyn McGee Colbert, as she stepped down from her role as president of the nonprofit organization Montclair Film, where he performed Sam Cooke’s Bring It On Home to Me.

Colbert has also been working on other creative projects, including a film in the Lord of the Rings franchise written with his son. In his final segments, the host emphasized a sense of relief regarding the show’s end, noting that the daily grind of the Joy Machine required significant energy.

Artistic Tributes and Public Discourse

The atmosphere surrounding the final weeks of the show was marked by high-profile support from figures like Bruce Springsteen. During a penultimate appearance, Springsteen took center stage to bash President Trump.

While the network has moved on, the legacy of the show remains a subject of discussion, particularly regarding the intersection of late-night comedy and corporate influence. Colbert has not announced his next permanent television project, leaving his audience to follow his updates through his newly resumed social media presence.