Bette Midler on Stephen Colbert: Why This Late-Night Farewell Hit Different

When Bette Midler walks onto a late-night stage, you usually expect a whirlwind of sequins, some salty jokes, and maybe a story about the "old days" of show business. But her recent appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert wasn't just another stop on a press tour. It felt heavy. It felt like an era was actually ending.

You probably saw the clips. Honestly, the internet basically melted when she started singing. But if you didn't catch the full context, here’s the deal: CBS recently dropped the bombshell that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is wrapping up in May 2026. Bette, being the living legend she is, decided to give Stephen the ultimate "send-off" before he even had his bags packed.

That "Wind Beneath My Wings" Rewrite (The Frodo Lyrics)

Bette has this weird, iconic history of singing talk show hosts into retirement. Remember 1992? She serenaded Johnny Carson on his second-to-last episode of The Tonight Show and left everyone in tears. She even joked with Stephen that she "sang Krusty the Clown off" on The Simpsons.

This time, she teamed up with her longtime collaborator Marc Shaiman—the guy behind Hairspray and a million other hits—to rewrite "Wind Beneath My Wings." But instead of the usual sentimental lyrics, she leaned into Stephen's legendary obsession with The Lord of the Rings.

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She literally sang: "Did you ever know that you’re my Frodo? You stand for what’s right with wit and class."

It was hilarious, sure, but also kinda heartbreaking. She called him a "voice of sanity" during the last nine and a half years. Watching Bette Midler, a woman who has seen every iteration of American politics and pop culture since the 60s, get choked up while telling Stephen she "wouldn't have made it through" without his show? That’s not just TV. That’s a real moment between two people who clearly respect the hell out of each other.

Bette Midler on Stephen Colbert: The Political Fire

You can’t talk about Bette on Colbert without mentioning the "orange" elephant in the room. Bette hasn't exactly been shy about her feelings toward Donald Trump, and she didn't hold back during the song. She dropped a line about Stephen never "kissing the orange a**," which, as you can imagine, went viral immediately.

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It’s interesting because Colbert’s show has often been criticized for being "too political," but Midler’s appearance framed that politics as a form of "honor." She thanked him for his "honesty" and "sanity." It was a reminder that for a lot of people, late-night TV isn't just about the monologue—it’s a nightly check-in to make sure the world hasn't totally lost its mind.

Why the Show is Actually Ending

People are still scratching their heads over why CBS is pulling the plug on The Late Show in May 2026. The ratings have been high, and Stephen's still winning Emmys. But the industry is shifting. Budget cuts at Paramount Global and a massive $16 million settlement involving a 60 Minutes lawsuit have left the network looking for ways to save cash.

Bette actually addressed this on the air. She told Stephen, "You need a gig that's more worthwhile," and made a biting joke about him being "more in demand than Epstein’s file."

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What’s Next for The Divine Miss M?

If you're worried about Bette retiring, don't be. She’s 80 now (or close to it, depending on when you’re reading this), but she’s busier than most people half her age.

• The New York Restoration Project: She was actually on the show to promote her non-profit's annual Hulaween benefit. She’s been cleaning up New York City parks since the 90s, and she’s not stopping.
• The Marc Shaiman Book Tour: She’s set to interview Marc Shaiman at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in February 2026 for his new memoir, Never Mind the Happy.
• Beaches The Musical: While she’s not starring in it, the musical version of her classic film is launching a national tour in Fall 2026.

The Takeaway for Fans

Watching Bette Midler on Stephen Colbert wasn't just about a funny parody song. It was a passing of the torch. Late-night TV is changing—maybe disappearing in the way we used to know it—and Bette showed up to give it a proper, salty, musical funeral.

If you want to keep up with Bette's current projects, your best bet is to check out the New York Restoration Project (NYRP) website. They do a ton of environmental work in NYC that Bette is still personally involved in. Also, if you’re a theater nerd, keep an eye out for the Beaches musical tour dates; "Wind Beneath My Wings" is still the centerpiece, even if Bette isn’t the one singing it this time.

Stream the clip of the "Frodo" song on the Late Show YouTube channel if you haven't yet—it’s the rare kind of TV moment that actually feels authentic.