On September 6, 2026, Stephen Colbert and his terminated CBS program landed an unexpected triumph at the 2026 Creative Arts Emmy Awards by securing two major prizes, which included Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series. The unexpected triumphs come just months after CBS announced the end of the late-night staple, breaking a ten-year dominance by Last Week Tonight with John Oliver in the writing category.
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert Wins Big at 2026 Creative Arts Emmys
Breaking a Decade of Late-Night Dominance
During the first night of the Creative Arts Emmys, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert walked away with multiple trophies. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, having previously maintained an unbroken ten-year streak in the category, lost the Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series to Colbert’s program.
“I’d like to thank all those who keep late night going, [John] Oliver, [Jimmy] Kimmel. Super important institution in this country,” Tom Purcell, The Late Show’s executive producer, said while accepting the writing award. “Keep the flame burning, guys!”
The CBS program picked up additional hardware during the ceremony, including:
- Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series
- Outstanding Picture Editing for Variety Programming (Segment)
- Outstanding Technical Direction and Camerawork for a Series (or Lighting Design / Lighting Direction)
The Success of Colbert Before Air
Beyond the traditional late-night desk format, Colbert’s team found heavy favor with voters through alternative digital mediums. Voters awarded the Emmy for Outstanding Short Form Comedy, Drama or Variety Series to the web-based digital program Colbert Before Air.
Consisting of only ten installments over the previous year that lasted between two and four minutes apiece, this concise undertaking demonstrated that Colbert’s creative reach stretched beyond its conventional 11:35 PM broadcast window. The digital series managed to beat out several more established short-form contenders despite its limited episode count.
Context of the CBS Cancellation
These early victories arrive against a complex backdrop for the network. In July 2025, CBS announced the cancellation of the franchise, attributing the decision strictly to financial realities within late-night television rather than the show’s ratings performance. Colbert successfully concluded his eleven-year tenure leading the network program following his 2015 succession of David Letterman, even with the shutdown looming.
Amid debates over Paramount’s agreement with President Donald Trump and Skydance’s pending buyout of Paramount, the termination triggered allegations of political bias. Colbert had long been an outspoken critic of Trump and publicly criticized the settlement shortly before the cancellation announcement.
Additional Winners in Late-Night and Short-Form Categories
The Daily Show star Desi Lydic secured the Emmy for Outstanding Performer in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series, locking in her second straight victory within the category and proving Colbert wasn’t the sole familiar face celebrating at the event. Lydic leaned into her signature humor during her acceptance speech, joking, “I’m so afraid if I keep winning these, the White House will nominate me to be their press secretary!”
Ahead of the main Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony on September 14, these victories provide Colbert’s concluding season with a preliminary advantage, where The Late Show will face off against The Daily Show, Last Week Tonight With John Oliver, Saturday Night Live, and Jimmy Kimmel Live! for the Outstanding Talk Series title.
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