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'The Late Show With Stephen Colbert' won Outstanding Talk Series at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles. The audience responded with a standing ovation, chanting Colbert's name as he took the stage.
The Emmy win came just two months after Stephen Colbert revealed that his late-night show would end in May 2026 after 10 seasons. Despite the cancellation, the 61-year-old host surprised many by thanking CBS for allowing him to be part of the network's long-running late-night tradition. He also expressed deep gratitude to his wife, Evelyn McGee-Colbert, calling her the driving force behind his success, and acknowledged the unwavering support of his children Madeline, Peter, and John.
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Stephen Colbert reflected on the emotional weight of the moment, explaining that sometimes people only realise how much they value something when they are at risk of losing it. He emphasized his love for his country and encouraged Americans to stay strong and resilient, ending his speech with a message of hope and defiance.
Other nominees in the category included 'The Daily Show,' and 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!'
Stephen Colbert's Show Cancellation Stirred Speculations
The show's cancellation, announced in July, sparked widespread conversation across the industry. CBS stated that the decision was financial, unrelated to performance or content, and came amid Paramount's merger with Skydance. The timing, however, followed Colbert's criticism of Paramount for its $16 million settlement with Donald Trump during the merger process, raising speculation about the underlying reasons for the decision.
In response, several late-night hosts rallied behind Stephen Colbert. Jon Stewart criticized corporate decisions that prioritize financial security over creative voices, arguing that such shows bring significant value to networks. Jimmy Kimmel also defended Colbert, sharing his frustration with CBS on social media and even promoting Stephen Colbert for Emmy votes with a Los Angeles billboard. Seth Meyers, John Oliver, Jimmy Fallon, and Stewart all made cameo appearances on 'The Late Show' following the cancellation announcement to show solidarity.
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Meanwhile, Donald Trump celebrated the cancellation and suggested that other late-night hosts, including Kimmel and Fallon, would soon follow. On 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!', Kimmel fired back, mocking Trump's claims and highlighting the contradiction between his stance on "cancel culture" and his celebration of show cancellations.
Colbert's Emmy victory not only underscored the cultural impact of 'The Late Show' but also served as a powerful moment of appreciation from fans and peers, marking a bittersweet highlight in a career-defining chapter.
