Stephen Colbert’s ‘The Late Show’ Receives Record Emmy Nominations

Stephen Colbert’s ‘The Late Show’ has garnered significant attention with its final season receiving nine Emmy nominations, marking the highest number of nominations the show has achieved since Colbert became the host. The nominated categories 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

In previous years, the show received a maximum of five nominations, specifically in 2022 and 2021, indicating a substantial increase in recognition for the current year.

During his 11-year period as host, Colbert’s ‘The Late Show’ earned over 40 nominations but only secured two wins in 2025, just months after CBS announced its cancellation. These victories came in categories of Outstanding Talk Series and Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series.

After the announcement of the show’s cancellation for alleged financial reasons, Stephen Colbert voiced his discontent publicly, suggesting that the decision may have been influenced by political motives amid corporate mergers. Colbert’s critique of CBS and Paramount highlighted his belief that the cancellation served other agendas beyond fiscal interests.

Colbert’s poignant acceptance speech at the Emmy Awards underscored his emotional connection to the show and emphasized his patriotic sentiment, reflecting his disappointment over the show’s end.

The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards will be broadcast on September 14, presenting an opportunity to possibly affirm the show’s excellence during its concluding season.