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

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert has secured nine Emmy nominations in its concluding season. This marks the highest number of nominations since Stephen Colbert took the helm. The nominations include:

• Outstanding Variety Series
• Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series
• Outstanding Directing For A Variety Series
• Outstanding Production Design For A Variety Or Reality Series
• Outstanding Technical Direction and Camerawork For A Series
• Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction For A Series
• Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Variety Series Or Special
• Outstanding Picture Editing For Variety Programming
• Outstanding Music Direction

Previously, the show reached a record five nominations in 2024 for different aspects such as production design and technical direction. In 2021 and 2022, it also received five nominations each year.

Stephen Colbert, the late-night host, accepted the award for Outstanding Talk Series at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards in September 2025 while expressing love for his country.

Throughout Colbert’s 11 years with the program, it earned over 40 nominations, with only two wins in 2025 for Outstanding Talk Series and Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series.

When CBS canceled the show for financial reasons last year, with claims of a $40 million annual loss, many, including Colbert himself, speculated the cancellation was politically motivated to appease then-President Donald Trump due to a pending merger needing FCC approval. Colbert criticized CBS and Paramount on air and in public appearances.

Colbert’s statement at the Writers Guild Awards suggested a rejection of outdated practices, emphasizing no revolution is taking place, especially concerning television.

The final episode aired on May 21, contributing significantly to the show’s nine Emmy nominations.