Stephen Colbert took the Emmys stage on September 14, 2025, and the crowd erupted in a thunderous standing ovation, chanting “Stephen! Stephen!” as the beloved comedian presented the award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. The heartfelt moment, just two months after CBS announced the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in May 2026, left viewers stunned and emotional, turning the Peacock Theater into a sea of applause for the 61-year-old host. Colbert, ever the quick-witted performer, seized the spotlight with a resume in hand, joking, “While I have your attention, is anyone hiring? Because I’ve got 200 very qualified candidates who’ll be available in June.” He handed the document to Harrison Ford, quipping about passing it to Steven Spielberg, drawing laughter amid the cheers.
The ovation foreshadowed even bigger news later in the night: The Late Show won its first Emmy for Outstanding Talk Series, beating out Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Daily Show. Colbert returned to accept, his voice steady but eyes misty, thanking CBS despite the cancellation: “I want to thank CBS for giving us the privilege to be part of the late-night tradition, which I hope continues long after we’re no longer doing this show.” He reflected on love and loss, adding, “Sometimes you only truly know how much you love something when you get a sense that you might be losing it.” The win, Colbert’s 11th career Emmy, capped a night of solidarity, with Kimmel’s FYC ad urging votes for Colbert in defiance of the axing.
The cancellation, dubbed a “financial decision” by CBS amid late-night struggles, came after Colbert’s criticism of Paramount’s $16 million settlement with Donald Trump over a 60 Minutes interview. Trump gloated on Truth Social, “I absolutely love that Colbert got fired,” but Hollywood rallied, with the Emmys crowd’s roar symbolizing support. X lit up with #StephenStrong, fans tweeting, “The ovation said it all—Colbert’s a legend!” As The Late Show wraps in 2026, this bittersweet triumph reminds us of Colbert’s enduring impact on comedy and culture.
