Stephen Colbert’s ‘The Late Show’ Earns Nine Emmy Nominations in Final Season

The final season of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” has achieved a notable milestone by earning nine Emmy nominations. This marks the most nominations the series has received since Colbert took over as host.

Among the categories where the show is competing are Outstanding Variety Series, Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series, and Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series. The series is also recognized for Outstanding Production Design for a Variety or Reality Series, Outstanding Technical Direction and Camerawork, Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction, Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Variety Series or Special, Outstanding Picture Editing for Variety Programming, and Outstanding Music Direction.

Previously, the show’s highest number of nominations was five, achieved in 2024 and matched in 2021 and 2022. In 2025, after CBS announced the show’s cancellation, the program celebrated wins in Outstanding Talk Series and Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series at the Emmy Awards.

During the ceremony, Stephen Colbert expressed his emotions by stating, “Sometimes, you only know how much you love something when you get a sense you might be losing it. I have never loved my country more desperately. God bless America.”

In addition to this achievement, CBS applauded the series’ nominations via an Instagram post.

Cancellation Controversy

CBS discontinued “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” last year, citing financial challenges and reportedly losing $40 million annually on the show. However, some liberal commentators and Colbert himself have speculated that the cancellation was an effort to appease President Donald Trump amid a major merger that required Federal Communications Commission approval.

Colbert addressed the situation during the Writers Guild Awards, discussing how media landscapes have changed and critiquing his network’s decisions. He remarked, “This is not the 1950s. This is not the Red Scare. And, as far as I can tell, no one in late night is fomenting a revolution. As we know, the revolution will not be televised. It was going to be televised, but then Paramount bought it.”

The final episode aired in May, contributing to five of the nine recent Emmy nominations. These nominations highlight the show’s enduring appeal and critical recognition, even in its last chapter.