The Late Show With Stephen Colbert secured a surprise victory at the 2026 Creative Arts Emmy Awards on September 6, 2026, capturing two major wins including Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series.
The Bottom Line
- Major Upsets: Stephen Colbert’s canceled CBS show won Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series, breaking a ten-year dominance by Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.
- Digital Success: The ten-episode digital segment Colbert Before Air also claimed the Emmy for Outstanding Short Form Comedy, Drama or Variety Series.
- More Trophies: The series scooped up additional honors on night one of the Creative Arts Emmys, including picture editing, lighting design, technical direction, and directing.
Breaking a Decade of Late-Night History
In an unexpected turn of events during the 2026 Creative Arts Emmy Awards, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert walked away with multiple trophies just months after its abrupt farewell. More importantly, it managed to snatch the Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series away from Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, which had owned the category uninterrupted for ten straight years.
The Power of Short-Form Digital Content
Beyond the traditional talk-show format, Colbert’s team found heavy favor with voters through alternative mediums. The online digital series Colbert Before Air secured the Emmy for Outstanding Short Form Comedy, Drama or Variety Series. Comprising just ten episodes averaging two to four minutes each over the past year, the bite-sized project proved that Colbert’s creative footprint extended far past the traditional 11:35 PM time slot.
These wins arrive against a complex backdrop for the network. In July 2025, CBS announced the cancellation of the franchise—a decision the network attributed strictly to financial realities within late-night television rather than the show’s ratings performance. Despite the impending closure, Colbert finished out his eleven-year run hosting the network staple after taking over the desk from David Letterman in 2015.
| Category | Production / Segment | Network / Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series | The Late Show With Stephen Colbert | CBS |
| Outstanding Short Form Comedy, Drama or Variety Series | Colbert Before Air | Online Digital Series |
| Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series | The Late Show With Stephen Colbert | CBS |
| Outstanding Picture Editing for Variety Programming | The Late Show With Stephen Colbert | CBS |
| Outstanding Lighting Design / Lighting Direction | The Late Show With Stephen Colbert | CBS |
A Wider Shift Across the Late-Night Landscape
Colbert wasn’t the only familiar face celebrating during the ceremony. Desi Lydic of The Daily Show captured the Emmy for Outstanding Performer in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series, marking her second consecutive win in the category. 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!”
These victories highlight a shifting power dynamic in late-night television as voters begin rewarding fresh approaches and alternative digital extensions. With the main Emmy ceremony approaching on September 14, where Colbert faces heavy hitters like Jimmy Kimmel Live! and Saturday Night Live, these early upsets establish a fascinating narrative. Whether this momentum carries into the remaining major categories remains one of the season’s most compelling storylines. Drop a comment below and let me know if you think these wins signal a permanent changing of the guard for late-night TV.
