Stephen Colbert addresses Late Show axe with standing ovation at 2025 Emmys

Stephen Colbert received a standing ovation at yesterday's (September 14) Emmy Awards as he addressed The Late Show's controversial cancellation.

It was announced this summer that the CBS format is being retired in May 2026.

While many believed the cancellation was linked to Colbert's outspokenness about Donald Trump's presidency - with Colbert and Trump even exchanging a few verbal spats - CBS has denied this, revealing that the decision was due to financial reasons.

Skydance acquired Paramount, which CBS is a part of, in a recent merger between the two companies, and Skydance chairman, George Cheeks, said at a press conference: “The challenge in late night is that the advertising marketplace is in significant secular decline.

"We are huge fans of Colbert; we love the show. Unfortunately, the economics made it a challenge for us to keep going."

Last night (September 14), Colbert received an Emmy gong for Best Talk Series and took the opportunity to have his say.

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will cease broadcasting next May (Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images)

As the 61-year-old reached the stage, the A-list crowd of the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles could be heard chanting 'Stephen! Stephen!' whilst taking to their feet.

"I want to thank CBS for giving us the privilege to be part of the late-night tradition, which I hope continues long after we are no longer doing this show," he said.

"I have never loved my country more desperately. God bless America. Stay strong, be brave, and if the elevator tries to bring you down, go crazy and punch a higher floor! Woo!"

Colbert, who first succeeded the legendary David Letterman as the face of The Late Show back in 2015, went on to make light of the show's imminent demise, as he joked: "Is anyone hiring? Because I've got 200 very qualified candidates here tonight who will be available in June."

The comedian proceeded to hold up a headshot from his younger days, adding: "I haven't had a chance to update my headshot in a bit, but I think it still works. I think I'm in there somewhere.

The talkshow host received a standing ovation at the Emmy Awards (Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images)

"I only have one," he continued, before jumping down to where Harrison Ford was seated to ask if he could pass it along to Steven Spielberg.

Earlier that night, the talk show favourite spoke to E! News about his team's Emmy nomination.

Praising everyone involved with The Late Show, Colbert told the news outlet: "The people who do the show every day teach me what it's like to be a professional, and I would be very grateful if we could win it for them because they deserve all the recognition they can get."

As for how long they have until the show's end, he said: "We've got nine more months of the show, and we're going to have a really good time doing it."