The late-night television landscape shifted when Stephen Colbert signed off for good in May, but a vivid piece of that era has resurfaced—this time on the rooftop of a West Hollywood eatery.
The illuminated “Late Show” sign, which for 11 seasons greeted studio audiences and guests at CBS’s Ed Sullivan Theater in New York, now sits atop WeHo Bistro. The restaurant’s owner, Jeff Douek, acquired the sign through an auction that benefited World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit that delivers meals to communities hit by disasters and humanitarian crises, according to the WeHo Times.
“We’re incredibly honored to welcome this special piece of late-night television history to WeHo Bistro,” the restaurant wrote in an Instagram post this week. “Thank you, Stephen Colbert, for the laughter, intelligence, kindness, and magic you’ve shared with all of us over the years.”
In addition to the sign, the restaurant hung a banner thanking Colbert “for all the magic” he provided during his tenure. The sign will remain on the rooftop for about two weeks before being moved to a permanent spot on an interior wall.
Colbert hosted The Late Show from 2015 through May 2025. CBS announced the cancellation of the franchise in July 2025, ending a run that began with David Letterman in 1993. The series finale aired on May 21.
The auction sale came as part of a broader trend in which political and media memorabilia have found new homes after shows end. For context, a separate stunt during Colbert’s final episode—a licensing deal with CBS—netted a donation to charity, as reported earlier.
West Hollywood’s embrace of the sign underscores the region’s connection to late-night television. The move also comes amid a period of significant change in the media landscape, where even established franchises are being reshaped by shifting viewer habits and economic pressures.
The sign’s new home is a reminder of the show’s cultural footprint, even as the industry moves on. For now, locals and tourists alike can catch a glimpse of the neon relic before it moves indoors.
