Before “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” airs its final episode on May 21, Colbert wants to do a little good.
Earlier this month, he announced in a classic “Late Show Home Shopping” segment that the show would be having a blowout “clearance sale” in honor of its impending end. What that really means is Colbert is hosting a charity auction on eBay to raise funds for World Central Kitchen.
“Lately, I’ve been thinking about trying to get rid of all the wonderful stuff we’ve accumulated here at the Ed Sullivan Theater over the last 11 years. No particular reason, just spring cleaning,” Colbert quipped in a clip from the show.
“So, I’ve decided to auction off some of our great ‘Late Show’ props and wardrobe and donate all proceeds to an organization started by tonight’s guest, José Andrés, that feeds people in times of crisis: World Central Kitchen.”
Since that announcement on March 18, the auction has generated over $400,000, selling memorabilia like some of Colbert’s neck ties, an interview guest chair, prop pillows, a cardboard cutout of Colbert, and more.
But for fans who aren’t in a position to spend thousands to show their love of “The Late Show,” Colbert also debuted a commemorative T-shirt that supports World Central Kitchen.
On the front, the navy blue shirt says “The Last Show with Stephen Colbert,” as a nod to the final season. On the back, it reads, “Thanks for watching! (Unless you watched on YouTube. The network couldn’t monetize that.)”
Shirts are $40 a piece, and $20 from each one sold goes right to World Central Kitchen.
According to sales data from eBay, at the time this article was published, 33,657 shirts had been sold, meaning at least $673,140 will be donated to World Central Kitchen.
Combined with the over $406,000 generated in auction sales so far, as revealed on the March 18 show, over $1 million has been raised for the charity in just a couple of weeks.
Colbert highlighted the strong demand for the limited-time merch during his show on Monday, March 30.
“I’m proud to say that in just the week and a half since we unveiled them, we have sold — a lot of them,” he shared.
The charitable auction is not only important to the cause of World Central Kitchen, but also seems near and dear to Colbert, who has had Andrés on the show numerous times to make a recipe for the audience.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor, one last time, to thank this man, Chef José Andrés, my friend and yours,” Colbert cheered after Andrés made paella live on air.
After the show aired and the announcement about the T-shirts went on social media, World Central Kitchen commented on a post from “The Late Show.”
“Thank you so much to the entire ‘Late Show’ community,” the organization wrote, “for supporting our mission to serve nourishing meals to communities impacted by disaster.”
Visit “The Late Show’s” eBay page to view everything currently available in the charitable auction and to purchase one of your own “Last Show” T-Shirts.
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