Stephen Colbert Won His First Emmy For Outstanding Talk Show, And I’m Not Crying, You’re Crying At His Reaction After The Late Show’s Cancellation

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The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards celebrated shows like *The Studio*, *The Pitt*, and *Adolescence*. There were also some surprising wins, such as *Andor* winning for Outstanding Writing. But the most touching moment of the night came near the end when Stephen Colbert’s *The Late Show* won Outstanding Talk Series. It was Colbert’s first win in this category, and it felt especially meaningful after the show was cancelled earlier this year, making it a truly memorable highlight of the 2025 Emmy Awards.

Even before Bryan Cranston announced the winner for Outstanding Talk Series at the Emmys, Stephen Colbert was the clear favorite. The audience had already started chanting his name after he presented an award earlier in the show. While I expected a joke from him about *The Late Show*’s recent cancellation when he was on stage, I was truly surprised by his reaction – and the room’s – when *The Late Show* actually won.

The host was clearly thrilled when he won the award and celebrated with his colleagues on stage. Jimmy Kimmel, who had publicly supported him during the nominations, was beaming from the audience. Seeing Aimee Lou Wood from *The White Lotus* also crying made me feel better about my own emotional reaction to Colbert’s win. Once on stage, Colbert was gracious and elegant as he accepted the award from Bryan Cranston.

Stephen Colbert expressed gratitude to CBS for allowing him and *The Late Show* to be a part of the history of late-night television, even after some criticism of the network following the show’s cancellation. He shared his hope that the late-night tradition would continue for many years to come. Colbert also thanked his family, the dedicated team at *The Late Show*, and remembered Amy Cole, a beloved longtime assistant who passed away in 2024. He then moved into a more heartfelt message, going beyond the typical brief farewell, much like Nate Bargatze had done.

About ten years ago, in September 2015, Spike Jonze asked me what I envisioned for the show. I told him I wanted to create a late-night comedy show centered around love – something I wasn’t sure was even possible. Eventually, I realized we were actually making a show about loss, which is closely tied to love, because you often only fully appreciate something when you fear losing it. Now, ten years later, in September 2025, I feel more love for my country than ever. God bless America! Stay strong, be courageous, and don’t let anything hold you back – fight for what you want!

Colbert didn’t say exactly when he started viewing his show as being “about loss,” but it likely happened either when late-night TV became more focused on politics during Donald Trump’s presidency, or when CBS unexpectedly cancelled *The Late Show*. When he announced the cancellation in July, he empathized with the audience’s disappointment. CBS stated the decision was financially driven. Despite this, Colbert’s announcement focused on a positive outlook for the future, rather than expressing negativity.

Even though *The Late Show* will finish in 2026, I’ll always remember how joyful Stephen Colbert and his team seemed at the Emmys, and how much the audience cheered them on. Many people still support Colbert, despite the fact that his time hosting a late-night show is coming to an end.

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2025-09-15 06:38