Stephen Colbert emerges from cancellation to urge Emmy voters to select Jimmy Kimmel over own show
Stephen Colbert urged Emmy voters to back Jimmy Kimmel’s programme for Outstanding Variety Series rather than his own recently cancelled “Late Show”. In a social-media video, Colbert framed the appeal as a friendly endorsement of Kimmel, whose show is competing against “The Late Show” and three other nominees.
CBS announced the cancellation of “The Late Show” in 2025, saying it was a financial decision; reports at the time said it was losing about $40 million annually. Supporters of Colbert questioned whether politics played a role, given the timing of Paramount’s settlement of Donald Trump’s lawsuit and its merger approval, while the network denied this. The article also notes Kimmel’s public support for Colbert and recent controversies surrounding his own programme.
- Colbert encouraged Emmy voters to choose Jimmy Kimmel over his own show.
- “The Late Show” remains nominated despite its cancellation.
- CBS said the cancellation was financial, amid political speculation.
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The Late Show and Jimmy Kimmel Live! are US late-night talk shows, combining comedy, interviews and discussion of current events. Their hosts, Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel, are well-known television comedians, and both programmes have competed for major television awards.
CBS announced in 2025 that it would end The Late Show, describing the decision as financial. Reports said the programme was losing money, while some of Colbert’s supporters questioned whether political considerations were involved; the network denied that. Late-night shows can face changing audiences and high production costs, and their public profiles can also bring them into political debates.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Colbert’s appeal can be seen as a sincere show of friendship and respect for Kimmel, who has supported him, and as an endorsement of a programme he believes deserves recognition. Emmy voters are entitled to weigh the quality and impact of the nominated shows, and Colbert’s own cancellation need not prevent him from favouring a rival.
The case against
Voters could reasonably prefer to assess the nominees independently, since a prominent endorsement from a fellow nominee may shape attention without speaking for the wider judging panel. They may also favour Colbert’s own programme or another contender, judging its work on its merits and treating the cancellation and its disputed circumstances as separate from the award.