Stephen Colbert accepted The Late Show’s Outstanding Variety Series Emmy on September 14, 2026, then used the stage to urge Hollywood to hire the show’s more than 200 staffers. The win was the program’s third and final trophy during Colbert’s 11 season run, which ended after CBS canceled the series. Colbert called late night television a training ground where young workers learn the business, describing his staff as the industry’s future. He also thanked the audience, saying The Late Show had allowed him to interview at least 1,000 guests over 21 years. Colbert’s Final Emmy Came With a Message The ceremony, hosted by Mariska Hargitay , gave Colbert one more chance to celebrate the team behind the desk. The Late Show competed against The Daily Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Last Week Tonight With John Oliver, and Saturday Night Live before taking home the variety series prize. Colbert’s May 21 finale featured Jimmy Kimmel , Jimmy Fallon , Seth Meyers , and John Oliver , along with Sir Paul McCartney , Paul Rudd, and Tim Meadows. McCartney later joined former bandleader Jon Batiste and Elvis Costello for a performance of The Beatles’ “Hello, Goodbye,” while Colbert thanked his wife, Evelyn McGee , as his favorite guest. CBS announced the show’s cancellation in July 2025, shortly after Colbert criticized a reported $16 million settlement involving the network and Donald Trump’s 2024 election coverage, calling it “a big fat bribe.” Colbert followed David Letterman , who hosted for 22 years, and Byron Allen’s Comics Unleashed is set to take over the timeslot alongside Funny You Should Ask.