Stephen Colbert stole the spotlight at the Emmy Awards on Sunday. The audience gave him a standing ovation. It came just two months after CBS announced the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Fans and colleagues alike cheered, but the moment carried a bittersweet edge.
Colbert Wins Best Talk Series
The 61-year-old comedian accepted the Emmy for Best Talk Series. His show beat The Daily Show and Jimmy Kimmel Live! to the top prize. Colbert’s speech mixed gratitude, humor, and hope.
“Thank you to CBS for letting us be part of this late-night tradition,” he said. The crowd erupted in applause. “I hope this tradition continues long after we leave the air.”
He honored his hardworking crew and thanked his family. He ended with a patriotic flourish. “I’ve never loved my country more desperately. God bless America. Stay strong, be brave, and if the elevator tries to bring you down, punch a higher floor! Whoo!”
Standing Ovation Earlier in the Night
Earlier in the evening, Colbert received another standing ovation. He appeared to announce the Emmy for Best Actor in a Comedy Series at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Fans rose to their feet, chanting his name.
“Stephen! Stephen!” the audience shouted. Colbert joked about his team. “Is anyone hiring? Because I’ve got 200 very qualified candidates here tonight who will be available in June.” The remark drew laughter while highlighting the uncertainty facing his cast and crew.
He held up an old headshot. “I haven’t updated my headshot in a while, but I think it still works,” he said. Then he ran down the stage to shake Harrison Ford’s hand. He jokingly asked Ford to deliver the headshot to Steven Spielberg. The crowd loved it.
Colbert Champions His Team
In interviews before the ceremony, Colbert spoke about winning for his crew rather than himself. He told E! News on the red carpet, “The people who work on the show every day show me what it means to be a professional. I’d be very grateful if we could win this for them because they deserve recognition. I get the applause and the fame — that’s fine — but they deserve a little of it too.”
Show Cancellation Sparks Controversy
CBS announced the cancellation in mid-July. The news came days after Colbert criticized the network over a $16 million legal settlement with former President Donald Trump. The lawsuit claimed CBS edited an interview with Kamala Harris unfairly. CBS did not admit wrongdoing. The payment covered Trump’s legal fees and his future presidential library. Paramount also agreed to release unedited transcripts of the interviews.
Colbert called the lawsuit a “nuisance” on air. He joked about Paramount’s film failures. “Keep in mind, Paramount produced Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. They know ‘completely without merit,’” he said. He quipped that the network’s dignity could be purchased for “the low, low price of $16 million.”
Observers linked the settlement to Paramount’s $8.4 billion merger with Skydance. The deal requires federal approval, including from Trump’s administration. David Ellison, Skydance’s owner, favors a neutral political tone. His father, Larry Ellison, a Trump supporter, reportedly funded the CBS deal.
CBS Emphasizes Financial Reason
CBS executives insisted the decision to cancel the show was purely financial. “It is not related to the show’s performance, content, or other matters at Paramount,” they said. They called Colbert “irreplaceable” and promised the Late Show franchise would retire with his final episode in May. His legacy in late-night television remains secure.
A Night of Triumph and Reflection
For Colbert, the Emmy felt like more than a personal win. It celebrated his team and their impact on late-night TV. The audience laughed, cheered, and stood in solidarity. Even as the show approaches its end, the applause confirmed one truth. Stephen Colbert’s voice and influence remain strong.
