Stephen Colbert is ending his run on The Late Present on a excessive observe. On the heels of the present’s cancellation announcement, the host received large on the 2025 Emmys, taking residence the Excellent Speak Collection prize.
The gang was chanting “Stephen” earlier than he launched into his speech, beginning by thanking the community on which his present will air till Might 2026. “I wish to thank CBS for giving us the privilege to be a part of the late-night custom, which I hope continues lengthy after we’re not doing this present,” he started.
With a number of colleagues standing behind him on stage, Colbert recalled going into The Late Present pondering he would make it about love, however that modified throughout its 10-year run. “There’s a sure level, and you’ll guess what that time was, I noticed that in some methods we have been doing a late night time comedy present about loss,” he defined.
Colbert clarified that loss pertains to love “as a result of generally you solely actually understand how a lot you’re keen on one thing if you get a way that you simply could be shedding it.”
He continued, “10 years later, in September of 2025, my associates, I’ve by no means cherished my nation extra desperately. God bless America. Keep robust, be courageous, and if the elevator tries to convey you down, go loopy and punch a better ground.”
Colbert was met with a standing ovation in the beginning of the ceremony, too, when he introduced the primary award of the night time. As soon as the applause died down, the host quipped, “Whereas I’ve your consideration, is anybody hiring? As a result of I obtained 200 very well-qualified candidates with me tonight who can be accessible in June,” he stated, referring to The Late Present manufacturing crew.
Pulling out an previous headshot, Colbert added that he introduced his personal resume. “I haven’t had an opportunity to replace my headshot in a bit, however I feel it nonetheless works,” he stated, incomes laughs. “I’m in there someplace after I get again from Istanbul.”
Earlier than saying the Excellent Lead Actor in a Comedy Collection winner, Colbert obtained yet another joke in. “Harrison Ford, might you get this to [Steven] Spielberg?” he stated earlier than stepping down from the stage handy it over.
It’s been virtually precisely two months since Colbert knowledgeable viewers that The Late Present’s remaining episode would air in Might 2026.
CBS and its father or mother firm, Paramount, have stated solely monetary circumstances contributed to the choice. “The problem in late night time is that the promoting market is in important secular decline,” Paramount International TV Media Chairman George Cheeks stated.
“We’re enormous followers of Colbert, we love the present, sadly, the economics made it a problem for us to maintain going,” he continued, including that the community was additionally prompted to maneuver away from late-night TV after host Taylor Tomlinson exited After Midnight.
Some viewers suspect that Colbert’s criticism of Paramount’s current $16 million settlement with President Donald Trump was an element. Trump sued the community for allegedly modifying a 2024 60 Minutes interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris. The community has denied the claims that Colbert’s feedback had any influence on the choice.
Regardless, Colbert hasn’t let the cancellation curb him from talking out in opposition to Trump whereas his present remains to be on the air. When the president gloated in regards to the finish of The Late Present on social media, Colbert responded with a “Go f**okay your self” throughout an episode.
Forward of the ceremony, the host teased what’s coming down the pike post-The Late Present. “We’ve obtained 9 extra months of the present and we’re going to have a very good time doing it,” Colbert informed E! on the crimson carpet. “This present is all consuming — day-after-day. In order that’s it for now.”
The 61-year-old added that he’s hoping his staff takes residence the win for Excellent Speak Collection. They’re up in opposition to nominees like Jimmy Kimmel Reside! and The Each day Present.
“The individuals who do the present educate me what it’s wish to be an expert, and I’d be very grateful if we might win for them as a result of they deserve all the popularity they’ll get,” he stated. “200 folks do the present, not simply me.”
Colbert continued, “I get all of the applause and I get all the celebrity — and I’m effective with that — however I additionally need them to get a bit recognition.”