The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards saw a significant show of support for Stephen Colbert, host of The Late Show, as he received a standing ovation from the audience. This comes after CBS announced the cancellation of the long-running talk show in July, following Colbert’s accusation that Paramount, the parent company, paid a bribe to President Donald Trump.
Colbert took to the stage to present the award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, where he jokingly asked if anyone was hiring, referencing the impending loss of jobs for his 200 staff members. He also handed his resume to Harrison Ford, asking him to pass it on to Stephen Spielberg.
Later, Colbert returned to the stage to accept the award for Outstanding Talk Series, beating out The Daily Show and Jimmy Kimmel Live. The audience gave him a standing ovation and chanted his name. In his acceptance speech, Colbert thanked CBS for the opportunity to be part of the late-night tradition and dedicated the award to his family and late executive assistant, Amy Cole.
The cancellation of The Late Show has been met with criticism from other celebrities and late-night hosts, with many expressing skepticism over CBS’ claim that the decision was purely financial. The move has sparked speculation about the potential influence of Paramount’s recent settlement with Trump, in which the company agreed to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit over a 60 Minutes interview.
The Trump administration approved the merger between Paramount and Skydance Media just a week after the cancellation of The Late Show was announced. Trump had previously responded to the news of the show’s cancellation, stating that he was pleased Colbert had been “fired” and calling for other late-night shows to be cancelled.
The Emmy win and the outpouring of support for Colbert highlight the significance of The Late Show and its impact on the television landscape. As the show comes to an end, Colbert’s legacy and influence on late-night comedy will be remembered. The controversy surrounding the show’s cancellation will likely continue to be a topic of discussion in the entertainment industry.
