It solely took 9 tries and a looming cancelation, however “The Late Present with Stephen Colbert” is now the perfect late-night present on TV, per the Emmys. At Sunday’s Emmy ceremony, the enduring speak present gained for Excellent Speak Collection — a class it’s been nominated in 9 instances and by no means gained. The nightly collection bested reigning champion “The Each day Present” (which had gained two years in a row) and “Jimmy Kimmel Dwell!”
The latter program truly campaigned for Colbert following CBS’s controversial determination in July to cancel “The Late Present.” Citing a “difficult backdrop” for late-night TV, the powers-that-be axed the 33-year-old tv staple in what they referred to as “purely a monetary determination.”
Nonetheless, Paramount World (CBS’s mum or dad firm) was attempting to shut a deal to merge with Skydance on the time, which required approval from the FCC — a authorities company managed by the Trump administration. Reducing Colbert, lengthy a clear-eyed critic of the sitting president, was extensively seen as a concession by CBS to assist transfer the merger ahead. (The merger is now official.)
Kimmel clearly wasn’t alone in his help of Colbert. “The Late Present” was solely nominated for 2 Emmys in 2025 — nomination voting had ended earlier than CBS introduced the cancellation — and it gained each classes. Jim Hoskinson gained finally weekend’s Inventive Arts ceremony for Excellent Directing for a Selection Collection, as properly.
Throughout Sunday evening’s ceremony, Colbert took the stage at a dash, and chants of “Stephen” broke out earlier than he began his speech.
“Thanks for this honor,” Colbert stated. “I need 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.”
To shut his speech, a jubilant Colbert received critical for a second, remembering when Spike Jonze stopped by his workplace in September 2015 and requested what sort of late-night present he wished to make.
“I’d form of love to do a late-night comedy present that’s about love,” Colbert stated. “I don’t know if I ever figured that out, however at a sure level — and you may guess what that time was — I spotted in some methods we have been doing a late-night comedy present about loss.”
Colbert stated the 2 feelings have been “associated” as a result of “generally you solely really understand how a lot you’re keen on one thing whenever you get a way that you simply may be shedding it,” he stated. “Ten years [after starting the show], in September of 2025, my mates, I’ve by no means liked my nation extra desperately. God bless America. Keep sturdy, be courageous, and if the elevator tries to deliver you down, go loopy and punch the next ground.”
These are the one two Emmys “The Late Present” gained beneath Colbert’s tenure. Earlier than this 12 months, “The Late Present with Stephen Colbert” had 31 nominations and no wins, making it the second-most nominated program with no win in Emmy historical past (trailing solely “Higher Name Saul,” which ended its run with 53 nominations and 0 trophies).
Although “The Late Present” began its remaining season earlier this month, this isn’t its final 12 months competing on the Emmys. Its two wins in 2025 (on the 77th Emmy Awards) have been for the 2024-2025 season, and the 2025-2026 season — “The Late Present’s” final — will probably be eligible on the 2026 Emmy Awards (the 78th Emmy Awards).
In the meantime, “The Late Present’s” high competitors — perennial favourite “The Each day Present” — was nominated 12 instances and gained Emmys in classes together with Excellent Brief Type Comedy, Drama or Selection Collection and Excellent Writing for a Nonfiction Program.
The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards have been held Sunday, September 14 on the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles, CA. The telecast aired on CBS and is accessible to stream on Paramount+.
