Stephen Colbert turned the Emmys into an evening nobody will overlook. Simply two months after CBS introduced it was canceling “The Late Present with Stephen Colbert,” the 61-year-old walked away with an Emmy for Finest Discuss Sequence.
The viewers contained in the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles gave him a thunderous standing ovation, chanting his title.
It was a strong reminder that even when CBS is shifting on, Colbert continues to be some of the beloved figures in late-night TV.
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Stephen Colbert Wins Large At The Emmys
On Sunday, Colbert took house the award for Finest Discuss Sequence, beating “The Every day Present” and “Jimmy Kimmel Reside!”
The win was bittersweet, because it got here so quickly after CBS revealed plans to finish his late evening present in Might 2026.
In his acceptance speech, the host thanked the community regardless of the looming cancellation.
He instructed the gang, “I wish to thank CBS for giving us the privilege to be a part of the late-night custom, which I hope continues lengthy after we’re now not doing this present.”
Colbert additionally gave credit score to his crew and his household earlier than closing with a heartfelt message.
He stated, “I’ve by no means beloved my nation extra desperately. God bless America. Keep robust, be courageous, and if the elevator tries to deliver you down, go loopy and punch the next flooring! Woo!”
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The phrases introduced the viewers to its ft, cheering and clapping in one of many evening’s most emotional moments.
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Colbert Jokes About His Present’s Cancellation On Stage
Earlier within the evening, the comic had already received over the viewers when he appeared on stage to current the award for Finest Actor in a Comedy Sequence.
Your complete theater rose to present him a standing ovation, even chanting, “Stephen! Stephen!”
Stephen Colbert shortly broke the stress with humor, referencing the tip of his CBS present.
“Is anybody hiring? As a result of I’ve obtained 200 very certified candidates right here tonight who will probably be obtainable in June,” he quipped, pointing to his solid and crew.
He then pulled out an outdated headshot from his youthful days and joked, “I haven’t had an opportunity to replace my headshot in a bit, however I feel it nonetheless works. I feel I’m in there someplace.”
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He even requested Harrison Ford to ship it to Steven Spielberg earlier than operating into the viewers handy it to the Hollywood legend himself.
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Why CBS Cancelled Stephen Colbert’s Present
CBS introduced in July 2025 that “The Late Present with Stephen Colbert” can be canceled after 9 seasons.
The choice got here simply days after Colbert blasted the community for settling a $16 million lawsuit with President Donald Trump.
Trump had accused CBS of enhancing an interview with Kamala Harris, however whereas the community denied wrongdoing, Paramount, CBS’s dad or mum firm, agreed to pay the settlement and launch unedited transcripts of political interviews.
On his present, Colbert didn’t maintain again, saying he was “offended” by his employer’s actions. He joked that Paramount’s settlement was a “large fats bribe” and in contrast it to the studio’s flop movie, “Transformers: Rise of the Beast.”
He took the joke additional, saying they could take the cash however not the dignity, earlier than sarcastically including that dignity might, actually, be purchased for simply $16 million for the reason that money was badly wanted.
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CBS Faces Questions Over Cancellation
The timing of CBS’s cancellation led many to consider it was greater than only a monetary determination.
Stephen Colbert pointed to a Puck report claiming Paramount’s $8.4 billion merger with Skydance may put stress on him to tone down political jokes, particularly about Trump.
David Ellison, who runs Skydance, reportedly needed a much less political course.
His father, Larry Ellison, is a widely known Trump supporter and had even joined the president on the White Home prior to now.
In keeping with the New York Occasions, Larry is believed to be the monetary muscle behind the large CBS deal.
Nonetheless, CBS executives insisted that the choice was solely about cash and had nothing to do with scores, the present’s content material, or issues at Paramount.
Additionally they stated they’d retire “The Late Present” and referred to as Colbert “irreplaceable,” praising him as the most effective in late-night TV.
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Stephen Colbert Needs His Workforce To Succeed
Whereas CBS executives gave their company clarification, Colbert made it clear on the Emmys stage and in interviews that his predominant focus is his crew.
Previous to the occasion, he stated per the Every day Mail, “The individuals who do the present on daily basis educate me what it’s wish to be knowledgeable, and I’d be very grateful if we might win it for them as a result of they deserve all the popularity they will get.”
Colbert admitted that he normally obtained a lot of the consideration and reward, joking that he was wonderful with it however wished his workforce obtained some credit score too.
He additionally reminded viewers that 9 months of reveals remained earlier than his ultimate episode and promised that “we’re going to have a extremely good time doing it.”
