Stephen Colbert’s Show Earns Standing Ovation After Emmy Win

CBS’s “Late Show with Stephen Colbert” won the Emmy for Outstanding Talk Series. The award was presented on Sunday at the 2025 Emmy Awards ceremony. This marks the show’s first win in this category.

The victory is particularly significant as the show is currently airing its final season. CBS announced the program’s cancellation this past July for financial reasons.

A Historic Win for Broadcast Television

“The Late Show” beat tough competition from “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and last year’s winner, “The Daily Show.” This is the first time a broadcast network late-night show has won this specific award. The category was established in 2015.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the last network show to win a top variety series Emmy was David Letterman’s “Late Show” in 2002. The audience gave Colbert and his team a long standing ovation as they took the stage.

A Poignant Farewell and a Message of Hope

In his acceptance speech, Colbert thanked CBS for the opportunity. He expressed pride in his 200-member crew. He also reflected on the show’s unexpected thematic journey over a decade.

Colbert stated the show became about loss, which is deeply tied to love. He ended with a message of strength and hope for the country. The win follows a Creative Arts Emmy win for directing the previous week.

This Emmy win serves as a powerful capstone for Stephen Colbert’s influential run. The Late Show Emmy win celebrates a decade of sharp comedy and commentary, concluding on the highest note possible.

Thought you’d like to know-

Why is Stephen Colbert’s show ending?

CBS canceled “The Late Show” as a financial decision. Reports indicated the program was losing a significant amount of money annually, though some disputed the figures.

Who did Colbert beat for the Emmy?

The show won against “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and “The Daily Show.” The category had only three nominees due to a lower number of submissions.

Has a broadcast late-night show won this before?

No. This is the first win for a broadcast network show in the Outstanding Talk Series category, which began in 2015. The last network win in a similar category was in 2002.

What other Emmy did the show win?

“The Late Show” also won an Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series. That award was given out during the Creative Arts Emmys ceremony the week prior.

What did Colbert say in his speech?

He thanked CBS and his staff. He concluded by saying the show became about loss and love, urging Americans to “stay strong” and “be brave.”

Trusted Sources: The Hollywood Reporter, CBS News, Emmy Awards.