Comedian and longtime TV warm-up performer Tom Kelly reacts to the final episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and what it means for the future of late-night television, comedy, and New York City entertainment culture. From performing warm-up comedy inside the historic Ed Sullivan Theater to reflecting on the collapse of traditional broadcast television, Tom shares personal stories, industry insight, and emotional memories about working with Stephen Colbert and his staff over the years. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 0:14 – "This is my last day working at The Late Show" 0:22 – Introduction to the end of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert 1:04 – Tom reacts emotionally to Colbert's final episode 1:21 – Trump, the FCC & pressure on late-night TV discussed 1:35 – Tourists from Utah react to Colbert ending 2:02 – Tom admits he watched late night TV first thing in the morning 2:37 – Tom reflects on working at The Late Show 2:51 – CBS potentially leaving the Ed Sullivan Theater 3:09 – Tom shares clips from performing warm-up comedy at Colbert 3:39 – Why Colbert audiences were unique 3:56 – Tom asks out a TV anchor Jana Angel from the audience 4:27 – Childhood memories at the Ed Sullivan Theater seeing New Kids on the Block 5:15 – Tom thanks Mom from the Ed Sullivan Theater 8:03 – "The end of a type of television" 8:34 – Why podcasts may be replacing traditional TV 9:13 – Trump, Paramount & FCC merger politics 9:35 – Tom explains why Trump jokes are easier in comedy 10:00 – "Stephen Colbert is actually funny" 10:17 – What made Colbert's comedy different 10:46 – How Colbert treated staff during COVID 11:12 – Tom says Colbert was respected behind the scenes 12:17 – Late-night budgets, unions & TV economics 12:51 – Tom reflects on whether this was his final warm-up gig 13:38 – "Hosting The Late Show was my dream job" 13:53 – "If the dream doesn't exist anymore, do I still want it?" 14:13 – Tom thanks Stephen Colbert directly 14:29 – "He threw himself on the sword for free speech" 14:37 – Story about Tom's nephew meeting Colbert 15:51 – Tom jokes about being available for Byron Allen 16:04 – Final goodbye to the Ed Sullivan Theater & New York