David Letterman Helps Stephen Colbert Toss ‘Late Show’ Furniture Off the Roof Ahead of Show’s End

Stephen Colbert and David Letterman pulled a Morgan Wallen.

Letterman, 79, helped Colbert, 62, toss furniture off the roof of the Ed Sullivan Theater during his appearance on the Thursday, May 14, episode of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.

“I thought that tonight’s occasion would be a little sad, being the end of your run,” Letterman told his successor. “But this brings true joy to my heart. We are up here for the wanton destruction of CBS property.”

Colbert — who will wrap his decade-long run as host on May 21 — added, “When I first got this gig, one of the first things they told me before we even moved into the offices, is that I would not be allowed to throw anything off of the roof.”

The duo started by tossing a blue couch, aiming for a large CBS logo covering a ball pit on the ground below. After missing the target on the first toss, a spare couch was brought out.

“It would be a shame if we don’t destroy the eye,” Letterman said. “I say, just look out for the wind and keep it closer to the building.”

It worked! The second blue couch landed directly on the target, sending colorful balls flying. Colbert’s desk chair, a bunch of watermelons, and a cake followed.

CBS announced in July 2025 that The Late Show would be coming to an end after more than 30 years, claiming the decision was purely financial.

“I have every right to be pissed off, so I’ll be pissed off here a little bit,” Letterman said upon his return to the Ed Sullivan Theater. “This theater, you folks wouldn’t be in this theater if it weren’t for me, and Stephen wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for me, and we rebuilt this theater, and then Stephen came in, and look at this? It’s like the Bellagio. But, listen… as we all understand, you can take a man’s show, you can’t take a man’s voice.”

“To the folks at CBS, in the words of the great Ed Murrow, ‘Goodnight and good luck, motherf—ers,” he concluded.