“Man, I’m telling you, we should have gotten cancelled years ago,” the host said on The Late Show

Stephen Colbert on ‘The Late Show’YouTube/The Late Show

Stephen Colbert showed off his shiny new Emmy on The Late Show, earning a standing ovation and a chant of “Stephen, Stephen” from the audience as he kicked off his show on Tuesday night.

“On Sunday night we won our first Emmy for Outstanding Talk Series,” Colbert said. “Man, I’m telling you, we should have gotten cancelled years ago. This award belongs to all 200 of the incredibly hard-working people who make this show.”

He went on to thank the show’s writers, stage crew, production staff, talent, editors, and many more staff members. He also shared his gratitude with the audience, who “ultimately make this show possible.” “So this belong to you too, but I’m going to keep it,” Colbert quipped. “And if anyone so much as touches it I will jab your eyes out with the wings right there.”

Colbert continued, “I’m so grateful to everyone at the Academy who voted for us and to the Emmy producers for the flattering lighting that made me look so much younger on Sunday night.” He then showed a photo of Owen Cooper, who won for his role on Adolescence.

After giving a shout out to his fellow nominees, including Jon Stewart and Jimmy Kimmel, Colbert noted, “Speaking of Emmys, Donald Trump doesn’t have one.”

On Sunday, The Late Show won the Emmy for Outstanding Talk Series, marking the first time the late-night show has scored a trophy in the category. “Thank you for this honor. 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’re no longer doing this show,” Colbert said during his acceptance speech. “I gotta thank these people, the 200 incredible professionals. You are the pros, and I’m so proud to be one of you. We gotta thank the people who supported us the last 20 years.”

CBS announced in July that the popular late-night talk show would end in May 2026, amid financial issues at the network. Though at the time, many suggested political pressure was a factor: Paramount was trying to merge with Skydance Media, with both companies awaiting approval from the FCC (it was eventually approved). Paramount also settled a lawsuit brought by President Donald Trump, who claimed 60 Minutes engaged in election interference by editing an interview with Kamala Harris.

Since the announcement of the late-night show’s cancellation, much of Hollywood has stood up in support of Colbert, including Kimmel, who used his Emmys FYC ad to declare, “I’m voting for Stephen.”