Stephen Colbert admits his Emmy win wasn’t just luck but the result of Jimmy Kimmel’s bold campaign behind the scenes

Stephen Colbert welcomed audiences to the Sept.

16 episode of “The Late Show” by proclaiming: “Welcome to the Emmy-winning ‘Late Show!’” Colbert took home the prize for outstanding talk series at the 2025 Emmys to a huge standing ovation from the audience.

It was one of several ovations for Colbert on Emmys night, as the TV community rallied behind the comedian after CBS canceled “The Late Show” earlier this year.

During his first monologue post-Emmys win, Colbert earned another giant ovation from his in-studio audience and personally thanked his fellow nominees Jimmy Kimmel and Jon Stewart for more or less campaigning on his behalf instead of their own.

“I want to toss a bouquet of admiration to the other nominees in our category, my dear friends, Jon Stewart and Jimmy Kimmel,” Colbert said.

“These two fellas, old friends, unbelievably talented, just two princes.

Kimmel even put up a for-your-consideration billboard…that said I’m voting for Stephen.

That is so nice, so nice.”

As reported by Variety over the summer, Kimmel erected a billboard at the high-traffic intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard and La Cienega in West Hollywood that urged Emmy voters to support “The Late Show” for outstanding talk series rather than his own nominated program.

The strategically placed advertisement featured a simple message: “I’m voting for Stephen.”

Colbert also took time during his post-Emmys monologue to thanked his entire “Late Show” staff, saying: “This award belongs all 200 of the incredibly hard working people who make this show.

First and foremost, the writers of this show… the stage crew, production staff, talent, segment editors, the band, cold field, control and graphics, research, footage, digital, accounting, legal, wardrobe, makeup, security, maintenance, assistants and interns, and, of course, the audience department, who let in all of you gorgeous people every night.”

Kimmel was one of Colbert’s most passionate defenders following news of “The Late Show” being axed by CBS.

Speaking to Variety in August, Kimmel said Emmy voters should vote for Colbert because “he’s not just a sweet man.

He is very moral — he’s a very ethical person.

He is the salt of the earth.

He is a humble person and an extremely smart person.

I hope that whatever he does next is even more powerful than what he’d been doing.

And I think that’s very possible.”

Colbert was the first presenter at the 2025 Emmys and immediately earned a huge standing ovation as the audience cheered “Stephen! Stephen!” Emmys producer Jesse Collins later told Variety after the ceremony that “we all felt like it was a moment for him to walk out on that stage, to be the first award.

And we were just glad that he was willing to do it.

We felt like it would be a moment.”

Later in the Emmys telecast, Colbert took to the stage to receive the award for outstanding talk series and delivered one of the best acceptance speeches of the night.

He ended on a powerful note, saying: “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!”.