Colbert thanked CBS, his family, and late-night peers, highlighting both personal gratitude and his impact on political satire amid a turbulent media landscape.

Stephen Colbert’s “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” captured the Emmy for Outstanding Talk Series at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 14,

delivering a moment of triumph and poignancy as the beloved talk show host prepared to end the program after a decade on air.

The award ceremony, held at the Peacock Theater in Downtown Los Angeles, witnessed a standing ovation for Colbert as the crowd erupted,

chanting his name: “Stephen! Stephen! Stephen!” It was a moment of recognition not just for the show but for Colbert’s decade-long contribution to late-night television, despite the bittersweet news of its cancellation earlier this year.

Colbert, 61, took the stage to heartfelt applause, thanking CBS for allowing the show to be part of the late-night tradition.

“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 the show,” he said.

He also expressed gratitude to his wife, Evelyn McGee-Colbert, whom he called “the real brains of the outfit,” and their three children, Madeline, Peter, and John, highlighting the personal support system behind the late-night staple.

“Sometimes you only truly know how much you love something when you get a sense that you might be losing it,” Colbert added.

“In September of 2025, my friends, I have never loved my country more desperately. God bless America. Stay strong, be brave and if the elevator tries to bring you down, go crazy and punch a higher floor!”

The win was a competitive one, with Colbert’s show going up against other heavyweights, including “The Daily Show” and “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Colbert’s victory was particularly symbolic, coming just months after CBS announced the show would end following the 2025 season.

On July 17, Colbert informed his audience of the cancellation, citing the network’s decision as a financial one amid challenges in the late-night landscape, explicitly stating it was unrelated to the show’s content or performance.

The decision came on the heels of Colbert’s criticism of Paramount, CBS’s parent company, regarding a \$16 million settlement with former President Donald Trump.

That settlement occurred during Paramount’s merger with Skydance, which required approval from the Trump administration and was finalized on Aug. 7.

The cancellation triggered an outpouring of support from fellow late-night hosts. Jon Stewart, 62, addressed the situation on “The Daily Show” on July 21, defending Colbert and the value of late-night shows that challenge and engage audiences. “I understand the corporate fear.

I understand the fear that you and your advertisers have with \$8 billion at stake, but understand this, truly, the shows that you now seek to cancel, censor and control…a not insignificant portion of that \$8 billion value came from those f—— shows.

That’s what made you that money,” Stewart said, emphasizing the cultural and financial impact of shows like Colbert’s.

He continued, criticizing corporate attempts to sanitize television content: “Shows that say something, shows that take a stand, shows that are unafraid…why will anyone watch you and you are f—— wrong.”

Jimmy Kimmel also voiced support, posting on his Instagram Story: “Love you Stephen. F— you and all your Sheldons CBS,” and went a step further by putting up a billboard in Los Angeles urging Emmy voters to recognize Colbert’s work.

In a symbolic show of solidarity, fellow late-night hosts, including Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, Jon Stewart, and John Oliver, made surprise appearances on “The Late Show” following the cancellation announcement, reinforcing the communal support within the industry.

The backdrop of this recognition was further complicated by the political climate surrounding late-night programming. President Donald Trump publicly celebrated Colbert’s cancellation and speculated on the potential removal of other prominent hosts like Kimmel and Fallon.

Writing on the Truth Social platform, Trump claimed that “high-profile terminations were coming at ABC and NBC” and that Colbert’s exit was a positive outcome.

“These are people with absolutely NO TALENT, who were paid Millions of Dollars for, in all cases, destroying what used to be GREAT Television,” Trump said, asserting his influence over media narratives.

Kimmel responded to Trump’s threats in his first monologue after returning from a summer hiatus, using humor and pointed critique. “Oh, you delicate, chubby little teacup,” Kimmel said.

“Did we hurt your feelings? You want us to be canceled because we make jokes about you?” The comedian’s rebuke highlighted the ongoing tension between late-night hosts and political figures, and underscored the role of comedy as a space for critique and commentary.

Colbert’s Emmy win marked a final, celebratory moment in a tumultuous period for the show and for late-night television at large.

As the host prepared to close the chapter on his decade-long run, the award recognized not only the quality of “The Late Show” but also Colbert’s enduring impact on the landscape of American political satire and talk shows.

His speech reflected a mixture of personal gratitude, political awareness, and a call for resilience, resonating with fans and peers alike.

In the end, Colbert’s recognition at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards served as both a farewell and a tribute—a reminder of the laughter, insight, and cultural commentary he brought to late-night audiences for over a decade.

The standing ovation, the heartfelt thank-yous, and the camaraderie of fellow hosts all combined to make it a defining moment in a career marked by wit, intellect, and an unflinching commitment to both comedy and truth-telling.