Charleston-native Stephen Colbert and his team at The Late Show made headlines Sunday, Sept. 7, as the show won its first-ever Emmy at the Creative Arts Emmys. The award was for outstanding directing for a variety series, specifically for an episode featuring actors David Oyelowo, Finn Wolfhard, and Alan Cumming, as well as a musical performance by the band OK Go.
A Long-Awaited Win
While Colbert has previously won 10 Emmys throughout his career, this marks the first time The Late Show has received the prestigious honor. Since its debut in 2015, the show has been nominated for at least 30 Emmys. However, it will soon be coming to an end, as CBS announced in July that the program will be canceled in May 2026.
The Controversy Behind the Cancellation
CBS’ decision to cancel The Late Show came just after Colbert’s public criticism of the network. Colbert had sharply criticized CBS’ parent company, Paramount, for paying $16 million to settle a lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump. The lawsuit accused CBS of editing footage of an interview with then-presidential candidate Kamala Harris to make her appear more favorable during her 2024 campaign. Colbert called the settlement a “big fat bribe,” and three days later, The Late Show was canceled.
The cancellation decision was made as Paramount was awaiting federal approval for its $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media. Regulators, including the Trump administration-controlled Federal Communications Commission, later approved the deal.
Emmy Nominations and Farewell
Despite the cancellation, The Late Show is still nominated for a talk series Emmy at the upcoming main Emmy ceremony on Sept. 14, marking a bittersweet end to a successful run. Colbert’s show may be nearing its final curtain, but the latest Emmy win serves as a significant milestone in its celebrated history.
