“CBS CLOSED THE CURTAIN — BUT STEPHEN COLBERT JUST STOLE THE SPOTLIGHT AGAIN.” *The Late Show* may have ended last month, but Stephen Colbert is already proving one thing: you can take away the desk, but not the audience. Fans who thought his late-night era was over are now watching his next move unfold in real time — and the reaction has been anything but quiet. After years of sharp monologues, viral interviews, and headline-making moments, Colbert’s name is suddenly back at the center of the conversation. Now everyone is asking the same thing: was the finale really goodbye… or the start of something much bigger?

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After ending his run on “The Late Show,” Stephen Colbert celebrated his wife Evelyn “Evie” McGee Colbert’s retirement with a musical performance, dance and star‑studded tributes at a Manhattan party, while also noting his upcoming projects and playful hints of future entertainment gigs.

NEW YORK – “The Late Show” may have stopped, but Stephen Colbert certainly hasn’t.

The venerable late-night host has been prolific ever since his long-running talk series ended last month: continuing to write a new “Lord of the Rings” movie and dropping in to guest-host a Michigan public access show.

His latest gig? Serenading his wife, Evelyn McGee Colbert, in front of nearly 200 people.

Evelyn, fondly known as “Evie,” recently stepped down from her longtime post as president of Montclair Film, a nonprofit that presents the annual Montclair Film Festival in northern New Jersey each fall.

Although she remains an active member of the organization, Evie’s friends and family threw her a retirement party of sorts at Manhattan’s famed Joe’s Pub, which included a laid-back dinner of burgers and tiramisu, as well as a harmonious performance from her husband of 32 years.

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After an assortment of heartfelt tributes from Evie’s colleagues, Stephen took the stage with Louis Cato, leader of former “Late Show” house band the Great Joy Machine, to sing a dulcet rendition of Sam Cooke’s “Bring It On Home to Me.”

For anyone surprised by his warbling abilities, Stephen has sung publicly numerous times: performing in Stephen Sondheim’s “Company” at Lincoln Center and doing backup for Paul McCartney on the “Late Show” series finale.

“I’m so proud to be Evie’s husband,” the 13-time Emmy winner said onstage before the performance. “I’m so happy that she received this recognition here tonight. For the last 15 years, I’ve said, ‘I don’t understand why you do it. No one’s chanting your name and your name isn’t on the front of the building!’ … I know she’s incredibly touched by what everyone has said here tonight, and I know how uncomfortable she is with this level of spotlight.

“She has dedicated her life to nonprofit and the arts and serving other people, and it’s in her family’s blood,” Stephen continued. “Building the community that we grew up in was so important to Patty and Peter McGee, and I know more than anyone else in the universe, your mother and father are looking down and they’re so proud of you.”

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Before the night ended, Evie delivered an emotional speech as she accepted the Montclair Film’s inaugural Evelyn McGee Colbert Visionary Award.

“I’ve been thinking a lot about transition lately. The Colbert family’s been going through quite a few lately,” she said, smiling. “Last week, we moved Stephen out of his office at ‘The Late Show,’ and he showed me a tiny scrap of paper that I’ve never seen. It was taped to the edge of his desk. It has just five words written on it: loyalty, respect, trust, honesty, and love.

“He kept it there for over 21 years to remind him of the kind of show he wanted to lead,” she continued. “Well, for the past 15 years, it’s been my incredible honor to work with all of you: to build something that we love, and we do it with trust, honesty and respect.”

Later on, Stephen was spotted on the dance floor waving his arms to ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” and clapping along to Stevie Wonder’s “I Wish,” as the crowd was treated to more music from cover band the Loser’s Lounge.

Evie also received a series of star-studded video messages from Steve Carell, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jimmy Fallon, Ethan Hawke, John Oliver and Jon Bon Jovi, who playfully offered both her and her husband another post-retirement gig.

“Now that you’ve got a lot of time, Evie, I was thinking – ’cause that’s what I do – you and Stephen?” the rocker joked, whipping out a guitar and tambourine. “The tour starts July 7. All you’ve gotta do is say yes!”