Credit: Sony Pictures / Mary McCartney
Fri 22 May 2026 11:10, UK
Paul McCartney has a cheeky compliment for Paul Mescal, who is set to play the Beatles mastermind in the upcoming Sam Mendes biopics.
McCartney made the comment in a surprise appearance on Stephen Colbert’s show, for his last-ever The Late Show episode. The musician appeared to stand in for Pope Leo, who was jokingly rumoured to be the host’s final ever guest.
McCartney cut a cool figure as he surprised the host and the audience, providing an easy solution to Colbert’s panic over who might replace the ecclesiastical icon. McCartney walked out on stage, offering, “Hey, Stephen, what about me?”
During their chat, Colbert touched upon “the upcoming four-part Sam Mendes series, each one from the point of view of a different Beatle. You’re going to be played by Paul Mescal.”
When McCartney grunted in affirmation, Colbert dove in with the all-important question: “Who is cuter? Young Paul McCartney or Paul Mescal?”
With a cheeky grin, the ‘Blackbird’ singer gestured to himself and said, “Me.”
After a round of applause, McCartney backtracked on the decision, adding, “No, he’s very cute, he’s very cute.”
Colbert’s interview with McCartney was of great historical significance, as the Ed Sullivan Theatre is the very same building in which the Beatles made their US television debut in 1964.
Elsewhere in the interview, the Wings musician reflected on this monumental performance, admitting, “We were a little bit nervous, but we were young kids, full of ourselves.”
He also added that the quartet considered America to be “the land of the free, the greatest democracy […] and it still is, hopefully.” Despite McCartney’s pointed optimism, Colbert seemed less sure.
Later in the episode, McCartney provided the musical accompaniment for the host’s final moments on air as he took the audience, and Colbert’s family, through a rendition of the Beatles song ‘Hello, Goodbye’.
Watch the full interview below.
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