Why The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is not new this week, November 25-29
Stephen Colbert is taking some time to get ready for his Thanksgiving feast.

Stephen Colbert appears to be getting an early start to the holiday season as The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is not airing any new episodes for the week of November 25-29; reruns of the late night talk show will air in its usual 11:35 pm ET/PT time slot on CBS though. In what should probably come as little surprise, it seems pretty clear that Thanksgiving being on Thursday, November 28, is the main reason Colbert and company are taking the week off.
The Late Show has taken week-long breaks around major holidays before, so while there is no official word from CBS as to why the hiatus is happening, it seems pretty straightforward. It’s also not the only CBS show to opt to go with reruns this week. Fellow late night show After Midnight is not new all week, nor is the FBI trio of shows, Matlock, Ghosts season 4, Elsbeth season 2, and Friday’s lineup of Blue Bloods season 14, Fire Country season 3 and S.W.A.T. season 8. However, one special show to note is that Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage is airing its first-ever Thanksgiving episode on the day, November 28, which will feature appearances by Young Sheldon stars Zoe Perry, Raegan Revord, Annie Potts and Craig T. Nelson on the spinoff series.
As we mentioned, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is still going to be airing reruns this week at its usual time. Here’s a look at the schedule:
Monday, November 25
- John Krasinski
- Francis Ford Coppola
- Original airdate November 12, 2024
Tuesday, November 26
- Billy Bob Thornton
- Sharon Horgan
- Original airdate November 14, 2024
Wednesday, November 27
- President Bill Clinton
- Performance by Kacey Musgraves
- Original airdate November 19, 2024
Thursday, November 28
Get the What to Watch Newsletter
The latest updates, reviews and unmissable series to watch and more!
- Paul Bettany
- Mike Birbiglia
- Special appearance by Robert Zemeckis
- Original airdate November 7, 2024
Friday, November 29
- Zoe Saldana
- Ken Burns
- Original airdate November 13, 2024
In addition to watching these episodes live on CBS, you can stream them, or any other past episode of The Late Show, on-demand on Paramount Plus.
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is the only one of the other main network talk shows that is taking the whole week off. ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! and NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon are each airing new episodes this week; Kimmel November 25 and 26, while Fallon is airing a usual full slate of shows Monday through Thursday, November 28.
CBS has not released any information about when The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is going to be back with new episodes, but the earliest at this point would be Monday, December 2.

Michael Balderston is What to Watch’s assistant managing editor and lead movie writer, covering movies coming to theaters, writing movie reviews and highlighting new and classic movies on streaming services; he also covers a range of TV shows, including those in the Taylor Sheridan universe, Slow Horses, Only Murders in the Building, Jeopardy!, Saturday Night Live and more, as well as the best ways to watch some major US sporting events.
Based outside of Washington, D.C., Michael's previous experience includes writing for Awards Circuit, TV Technology and The Wrap.
Michael’s favorite movie of all time is Casablanca, while his favorite TV show is Seinfeld. Some 2025 favorites include One of Them Days and Black Bag for movies, and The Pitt on TV. Follow on Letterboxd to keep up with what I'm watching.