The last Colbert Report ever?

I just watched Thursday’s Colbert Report. After the last break, Colbert looked into the camera and said “Thank you for joining us for our last show.”

Has he done this before? I think (and hope) it was a joke, but it came out of the blue. I usually watch online and skip the last section because it is usually just him saying good night. But that got my attention. Link (at minute 21).

I’m guessing he meant “last show of the year”.

It was just a joke about the ridiculousness of the Richard Branson bit.