Stephen Colbert wins Emmy after CBS cancels ‘The Late Show’ and urges Hollywood to hire his crew

Stephen Colbert has delivered an emotional final chapter for The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, accepting the Outstanding Variety Series Emmy after CBS cancelled the programme earlier this year.

The win came during the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards on September 14, where The Late Show With Stephen Colbert was named the winner in the newly remerged Outstanding Variety Series category. The programme was competing against The Daily Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Last Week Tonight With John Oliver and Saturday Night Live.

For Colbert, the victory carried particular significance because the programme had already ended its run. CBS cancelled the series after 11 years with Colbert as host, and the final episode aired on May 21, 2026. Despite the cancellation, the show continued collecting recognition during the 2026 Emmy season.

Colbert used his acceptance speech to thank the people who had appeared on the programme during its long run, including his wife, Evie McGee. He also thanked viewers who had supported the show before closing with a farewell message.

The most striking part of his speech, however, was directed towards the television industry and the future of his staff.

Colbert highlighted the importance of late night programmes as places where writers, producers and other television professionals can develop their skills while working under demanding deadlines. He then revealed that members of his team were available for new opportunities and directly encouraged other productions to hire them.

"They are all tech avail. Hire them," Colbert said, adding that they would make another show better and make the working day easier.

The message gave the Emmy victory an additional emotional layer because The Late Show staff now face the consequences of the programme ending. Colbert effectively turned his acceptance speech into a public recommendation for the people who helped build the programme.

The Television Academy confirms that The Late Show With Stephen Colbert had already collected several 2026 Emmy victories before the main ceremony. Those included Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series, Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series, Outstanding Technical Direction and Camerawork for a Series, Outstanding Lighting Design and Lighting Direction for a Series, and Outstanding Picture Editing for Variety Programming.

The programme also secured its second consecutive Emmy for Outstanding Variety Series. The Television Academy records its 2025 win in the former Outstanding Talk Series category, before the 2026 awards brought the variety competition back together.

The 2026 result also added another unusual detail to the show's final season. The Outstanding Variety Series category was treated as an area award under the Academy's revised rules, meaning nominees were assessed individually against a required level of voter approval rather than competing through a conventional ranking system. The Late Show With Stephen Colbert ultimately emerged as the sole winner.