Stephen Colbert’s The Late Show finally won its first Emmy for Outstanding Talk Series in a triumphant yet bittersweet moment, as the long-overdue recognition arrives just months after CBS announced the show will end in May 2026, turning the victory into both celebration and farewell.

The end may be near for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, but the long-running CBS late-night talk show is going out with a golden flourish.

At the 2025 Emmy Awards, hosted at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday night, Colbert’s program captured the prize for Outstanding Talk Series—the show’s very first win in the category.

The emotional victory came just months after CBS stunned viewers by announcing that the series will end in May 2026, closing a chapter on one of the most influential voices in late-night television.

The atmosphere inside the theater was electric as the category was announced.

When The Late Show was revealed as the winner, the crowd erupted in cheers, with many rising to their feet.

In a rare moment of unity and celebration, chants of “Stephen! Stephen!” broke out, filling the room as Colbert and members of his team made their way to the stage.

The sight of the entire production crew surrounding their host emphasized the collective spirit that has defined the show for nearly a decade.

Taking the microphone with the Emmy in hand, Colbert began with his signature humor, grinning at the audience.

“Well,” he quipped, “I was starting to think CBS would cancel us before the Television Academy ever noticed us.”

The crowd roared with laughter before he grew more serious.

“This award doesn’t just belong to me—it belongs to everyone at the Ed Sullivan Theater.

From the writers who give me the best jokes every night, to the producers who make the chaos look easy, to the crew who work harder than anyone else in the business.

This is a family, and tonight is proof that the world finally sees what I’ve seen all along.”

The Emmy is especially poignant considering the timing.

Back in July, CBS announced that The Late Show would conclude its run in May 2026.

Executives framed the decision as part of Colbert’s personal choice to begin “a new chapter,” though many insiders have pointed to the rapidly changing late-night landscape, where traditional network shows face steep competition from streaming platforms and online media.

For viewers, the news was bittersweet: Colbert had become a nightly companion since replacing David Letterman in 2015, and his mix of sharp political satire, warmth, and empathy had set him apart in an increasingly crowded field.

Throughout his tenure, Colbert built a reputation as a cultural force.

His monologues during the Trump presidency often went viral for their biting critiques, while his deeply personal broadcasts from home during the COVID-19 pandemic earned praise for their intimacy and humanity.

At moments of national tension, Colbert managed to balance humor with compassion, a rare quality that many argue redefined the late-night format.

Despite this influence, The Late Show often found itself coming up short at the Emmys.

John Oliver’s Last Week Tonight had dominated the Outstanding Talk Series category for years, making Colbert’s eventual win both surprising and long overdue.

As one critic noted after the ceremony: “This Emmy feels less like a single award and more like recognition for a body of work that has shaped late-night television for the better part of a decade.”

Backstage, Colbert reflected on what the award meant to him, particularly with the end of the show on the horizon.

“You don’t do this for awards,” he said.

“You do it because you love the work and because you hope you can make someone’s day a little better.

But when you get something like this, at this time—it feels like the perfect way to say goodbye.”

Fellow late-night hosts were quick to celebrate his achievement.

Jimmy Fallon, who was spotted cheering enthusiastically during the ceremony, later remarked, “Stephen raised the bar for all of us.

This win was a long time coming.”

Seth Meyers echoed that sentiment on social media, writing: “Nobody deserved this more.

Congratulations to the whole team at The Late Show.”

Jon Stewart, Colbert’s former mentor from The Daily Show, offered a particularly heartfelt tribute, saying: “Stephen’s show has been the conscience of late night.

This Emmy isn’t just a win—it’s justice.”

For the crew, the Emmy served as validation for years of tireless work.

One producer was overheard backstage saying, “It feels like we finally got the recognition we’ve been chasing for so long.

And to have it now, just before we close this chapter—it’s perfect.”

As the chants of “Stephen! Stephen!” echoed one last time before the ceremony moved on, it was clear the award was more than just another trophy.

It symbolized the legacy of a show that entertained, challenged, and comforted millions of viewers night after night.

Though The Late Show may be ending in less than a year, its first Emmy win ensures that Colbert and his team leave with a final, undeniable mark of excellence.

For fans, the countdown to the final broadcast has already begun, but this golden moment offered a reminder that while the curtain may soon fall, the impact of The Late Show will linger far beyond its final bow.