From Cancellation to Triumph: Stephen Colbert’s Late Show Wins Its First Emmy

In a bittersweet moment for fans and the Hollywood community alike, “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” has won its first-ever Emmy Award following its recent cancellation. The long-running late-night program, which has garnered significant acclaim over the years, received the prestigious accolade for Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series at the Creative Arts Emmys held on Sunday. The award was presented to Jim Hoskinson for the episode featuring guests David Oyelowo, Finn Wolfhard, and a special appearance by Alan Cumming, along with a performance by the band OK Go.

A Historic Moment

Despite its cancellation, “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” made history by finally breaking its Emmy drought. Since its debut in 2015, the show had accumulated a staggering 33 Emmy nominations, making it the second most-nominated program in Emmy history without a win. It only trailed behind AMC’s “Better Call Saul,” which famously lost all 53 of its nominations during its six-season run. Prior to this, the record for most losses was held by “Newhart,” which lost 25 times from 1982 to 1990. However, as of 2023, “The Late Show” surpassed “Newhart” in the tally, marking a significant milestone in Emmy history.

The awarding of the Emmy to Colbert’s show has been interpreted by many as a response to the backlash against CBS’s controversial decision to cancel the program, which the network attributed to “financial reasons.” The recognition at the Emmys highlights the show’s impact on the late-night landscape and its enduring legacy.

Colbert’s Emmy Legacy

Stephen Colbert himself boasts an impressive Emmy history, having won 10 awards throughout his career. His previous accolades were primarily for “The Colbert Report” on Comedy Central, as well as his recent win for the special titled “Stephen Colbert’s Election Night 2020: Democracy’s Last Stand: Building Back America Great Again Better 2020.”

During the tenure of David Letterman, who hosted “The Late Show” from 1993 to 2015, the program enjoyed a successful run, securing nine Emmy wins, including seven for Outstanding Variety Series. However, that streak came to an end in 2003 when “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” began to dominate the late-night scene.

Future of the Show

This year, “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” received two Primetime Emmy nominations: one for Outstanding Talk Series and another for Outstanding Directing (Jim Hoskinson). The award for Outstanding Talk Series will be announced at the main ceremony on September 14, adding another layer of anticipation to the show’s legacy.

As fans reflect on the cancellation of “The Late Show,” the recent Emmy win serves as a reminder of the show’s significant contributions to late-night television and its ability to resonate with audiences. While the program may have come to an end, its impact will undoubtedly be felt for years to come, and the Emmy win stands as a testament to the hard work and creativity of the entire team behind the show.