The Late Show with Stephen Colbert has added another Emmy to its impressive run, giving the late-night program a memorable sendoff following its final broadcast earlier this year.
On Monday, Sept. 14, Stephen Colbert accepted the award for Outstanding Variety Series at the 78th Emmy Awards alongside members of The Late Show team. The win came more than three months after the CBS program aired its final episode on May 21, officially bringing its 11-year run to a close.
In his acceptance speech, Colbert turned the spotlight toward the hundreds of people who helped bring the show to life.
“Thank you so much on behalf of the over 200 people who threw themselves at this show for 11 years to try to do the best show they possibly could for you,” he said, expressing his appreciation for the writers, producers, crew and other collaborators behind the program.
Colbert also used the moment to highlight the opportunities late-night television can provide for people beginning careers in the entertainment industry.
“These late shows … require so many people that they’re a fantastic incubator for young people to come into work professionally on a deadline in cooperation, in collaboration,” he said, emphasizing the importance of nurturing the next generation of television professionals.
Then, with his trademark humor, Colbert offered a playful message to potential employers.
“I want you to know I’ve got some great news. They’re all tech avail,” he joked about his former colleagues. “Hire them: they will make your show better and your day easier.”
Colbert Gives a Special Shoutout to His Wife
Colbert also took time during his acceptance speech to thank the many actors and entertainers who had appeared on The Late Show over the years.
After joking that he had interviewed at least 1,000 of the people in attendance, he turned to the person he considered his most important guest: his wife, Evelyn McGee-Colbert.
“Of course, there can only be one favorite guest and that is my wife Evie McGee,” Colbert said, thanking her for standing by him throughout the show’s run.
He also recalled the difficult period of the COVID-19 pandemic, when she became his only crew member and audience member.
“Thank you for being my only crew and my only guest during COVID, and the only audience that I really care about,” he said. “Yours is the laugh that I want for the rest of my life. I love you.”
Colbert ended by addressing the viewers who had supported The Late Show throughout its 11-year run.
“I want to say to the audience, thank you so much for watching,” he said. “We hope you enjoyed the show. We had a great time doing it for you.”
The Late Show Faced a Competitive Emmy Field
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert was competing against several major late-night and variety programs in the Outstanding Variety Series category.
The nominees included The Daily Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and Saturday Night Live.
The Emmy recognition adds another milestone to the history of The Late Show, which concluded its run earlier this year after more than a decade on television.
The Daily Show Adds to Its Emmy History
The Daily Show also entered the category with an extensive Emmy legacy.
In its current iteration, the Comedy Central program has earned 15 nominations since 2024, winning two during that period. The franchise has an even longer history of recognition.
As The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, the series collected 23 Emmys from 60 nominations between 2001 and 2015. During Trevor Noah’s tenure, the program received 17 nominations and won one Emmy between 2018 and 2023.
Today, the show features veteran host Jon Stewart alongside rotating anchors Josh Johnson, Ronny Chieng, Michael Kosta, Jordan Klepper and Desi Lydic.
John Oliver Continues Last Week Tonight
Another major contender, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, has been a fixture on HBO since its debut in April 2014.
Hosted by former Daily Show correspondent John Oliver, the series has received 76 Emmy nominations and won 32 awards.
Oliver, 49, confirmed last month that he would remain with the program through the end of 2027 after extending his time at HBO.
In a July interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Oliver reflected on the role the show’s Emmy success has played in allowing the program to maintain its creative approach.
“Emmys have been very important to HBO,” he said, describing the awards as a kind of “golden armor” that has helped protect the show’s ability to operate as it has over the years.
Saturday Night Live Adds Another Emmy Nomination
Saturday Night Live was also among the nominees for Outstanding Variety Series, adding another chapter to one of television’s longest-running Emmy histories.
Since its debut in 1975, the NBC sketch-comedy series has accumulated 349 Emmy nominations and 94 wins. The show is now heading into its 52nd season.
The latest season follows several cast changes, including the departures of Martin Herlihy and Chloe Fineman.
The importance of keeping the cast fresh has long been part of the show’s evolution. At the 2025 Emmys, creator Lorne Michaels emphasized the value of bringing in “new people” to help Saturday Night Live remain fresh after decades on television.
For The Late Show, however, the 2026 Emmy win represents something more personal: a final accolade for a program that has now officially closed its chapter. For Colbert and the team behind the show, the award offered an opportunity not only to celebrate their work, but also to thank the people and viewers who made the 11-year journey possible.