Stephen Colbert says free speech is 'alive and well’ after Emmy win

Stephen Colbert has declared that “free speech is alive and well” after The Late Show with Stephen Colbert won Outstanding Variety Series at the 2026 Emmy Awards, just months after CBS cancelled the programme.

Speaking after the ceremony, Colbert said late-night television remains “just as vital as it ever has been” and praised fellow hosts including Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, John Oliver and Seth Meyers.

“If you can’t say something because you go to jail, that is a violation of free speech,” Colbert said, adding that he hopes late-night television continues for a long time.

The Late Show ended its 11-year run in May 2026 after CBS announced its cancellation. The programme's final season had already collected several Emmys, including awards for writing, directing, lighting, editing and technical direction.

Colbert avoided directly addressing Donald Trump when asked whether the president had played a role in the show's cancellation, instead jokingly changing the subject.

Despite its ending, The Late Show received a major farewell at the Emmys, with Colbert and his former team celebrating the show's final recognition together.