Colbert Commands Ovation as ‘Late Show’ Clinches First Emmy

NEW YORK, Sept. 15, 2025 - Stephen Colbert received a rousing standing ovation at Sunday’s Emmy Awards after The Late Show with Stephen Colbert won Outstanding Talk Series, marking the program’s inaugural victory in the category. The milestone comes mere months before CBS concludes the show’s ten-season run.

Colbert’s triumph at the Peacock Theater highlights late-night television’s evolving landscape and underscores the cultural impact of Colbert’s blend of satire and sincerity.

Why It Matters Colbert’s win breaks a two-decade network drought in the talk-series Emmy race and affirms the show’s critical resonance despite its impending cancellation.

Emmy Ovation and Acceptance

• The audience erupted as Colbert took the stage to present Best Actor in a Comedy Series, quipping, “While I have your attention, is anyone hiring?” before accepting his own award.
• He acknowledged the “200 incredible professionals” behind the show and reflected on crafting a series that began as a comedy of “love” but evolved into one about “loss,” noting, “Ten years later, I have never loved my country more desperately.”

Show’s Upcoming Guests

• On Sept. 15, the program welcomed Last Week Tonight host John Oliver for an in-depth conversation.
• Stand-up comedian Joe Dombrowski performed a special set on the same episode.

Future of The Late Show CBS announced in July that the series will conclude in May 2026, citing financial considerations. Colbert and executives stress the decision does not reflect the show’s performance or content, even as observers speculate about political factors.

Impact on Late-Night Television Colbert’s Emmy win underscores both a recognition of artistic achievement and the shifting economics of broadcast late-night, where network budgets and cultural ferment intersect. Recognized for his incisive political satire and heartfelt monologues, Colbert’s legacy is cemented as he approaches the end of his tenure at the Ed Sullivan Theater.