All the cameos in Stephen Colbert’s musical finale — in gif form

Stephen Colbert wrapped up The Colbert Report in the grandest fashion: a musical number. It wasn’t just any musical number, it involved politicians, celebrities, scientists, dragons, and even Bill Clinton. Like a Russian nesting doll, each shot revealed more and more celebrities.

It began with Jon Stewart:

Then, Willie Nelson and company joined in:

At this point, you got the feeling that this was going to be big. And then Mandy Patinkin, Tom Brokaw, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and friends showed up:

This is Keith Olbermann, Cyndi Lauper, Big Bird and Colbert’s lawyer:

Gloria Steinem seemed camera-shy (compared to Katie Couric and Andrew Sullivan):

And Samantha Power is an enthusiastic dancer:

And Kareem Abdul-Jabbar:

OMG. Barry Manilow:

This was a big moment for Andy Cohen:

So, at this point it felt like everyone but you was invited to the finale. And then Arianna Huffington showed up:

We see you Cory Booker (and you too George Lucas):

Elijah Wood was a bit more difficult to spot:

And then we got to what appears to be the people that make this magic happen:

As well as Pussy Riot

And ... Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan?!

Servicemen and women in Afghanistan:

Bill Clinton got a solo shot:

As did this astronaut:

And JJ Abrams too:

Oh, and there’s no forgetting Smaug:

There are, again, literally so many people at this finale:

So Paul Krugman, Dan Savage, David Remnick, Matt Taibbi, and Tom Friedman walk into a bar:

And one final shot:

Don’t you want to watch that number again?