Colbert's Canceled Late Show Stuns at Creative Arts Emmys with Two Wins

Key points

• The Late Show with Stephen Colbert won Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series, ending Last Week Tonight with John Oliver's ten-year winning streak.
• Colbert's digital series, Colbert Before Air, won Outstanding Short Form Comedy, Drama or Variety Series despite airing only ten episodes in the past year.
• Desi Lydic won Outstanding Performer in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series for The Daily Show, marking her second consecutive win in the category.
• Jordan Klepper won Outstanding Writing for a Nonfiction Program for The Daily Show segment 'Fingers the Pulse: Give the Man a Prize.'
• The wins are seen as a positive sign for Colbert's chances in the main late-night Emmy category on September 14, where he competes against Jimmy Kimmel Live! and others.

Background

The Late Show was canceled by CBS earlier in 2026, with Paramount citing financial reasons. Despite the cancellation, the show earned nine Emmy nominations this year. In August, Colbert made a rare public appearance to support Jimmy Kimmel's Emmy bid, a gesture viewed as a goodwill repayment for Kimmel's previous support of Colbert. Colbert's former writing team also assisted in planning the 2026 Emmy Awards, which are hosted by Mariska Hargitay.

How outlets are covering it

Deadline emphasized the surprise nature of the Late Show wins, particularly noting that Last Week Tonight had won the writing category for ten consecutive years. The outlet highlighted that Colbert Before Air had only aired ten short episodes in the past year, making its win for Outstanding Short Form Comedy unexpected. Just Jared provided the full list of nominations and presenters for the Creative Arts Emmys, noting that the ceremonies were held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on September 5 and 6. The Hollywood Reporter confirmed the winners and noted that the Creative Arts Emmys are not televised live but will be edited into a single broadcast on FXX on September 12. Page Six focused on the red carpet appearances at the Creative Arts Emmys, featuring stars like Shailene Woodley, Linda Cardellini, and David Harbour, but did not provide details on the specific award winners.

Why it matters

The Late Show's wins at the Creative Arts Emmys suggest that the show may still have a strong chance of winning the main late-night Emmy on September 14, despite its cancellation. The wins also highlight the continued relevance and popularity of Colbert's brand, even after the show's end. Desi Lydic's second consecutive win in the Outstanding Performer category further solidifies her status as a leading figure in late-night television.

What to watch

The main Primetime Emmy Awards will be held on September 14, where The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will compete against Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Daily Show, Last Week Tonight, and Saturday Night Live for the Outstanding Variety Series award. The Creative Arts Emmy winners will be broadcast on FXX on September 12, with the ceremony also available for streaming on Hulu the next day.