In a turn of events that has stirred both celebration and nostalgia among fans and the Hollywood community, “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” has achieved what once seemed impossible: the program has won its first-ever Emmy Award, marking a historic milestone just months after its cancellation by CBS. The Emmy, awarded for Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series at the Creative Arts Emmys, was presented to longtime director Jim Hoskinson for an episode featuring guests David Oyelowo, Finn Wolfhard, Alan Cumming, and a musical performance by OK Go.

A Bittersweet Victory After Cancellation

For nearly a decade, “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” stood as a fixture of late-night television, blending sharp political satire, celebrity interviews, and cultural commentary. Its cancellation earlier this year, attributed by CBS to “financial reasons,” sparked widespread disappointment and debate across social media and entertainment circles. Many viewers and industry insiders saw the decision as abrupt and unjust, given the show’s enduring popularity and cultural relevance.

The Emmy win, coming in the wake of cancellation, has been interpreted by many as both a vindication of the show’s creative team and a subtle rebuke to CBS’s controversial move. It’s a moment of triumph that underscores the program’s lasting impact on the late-night landscape.

Breaking the Emmy Drought

Since its debut in 2015, Colbert’s “Late Show” had garnered an impressive 33 Emmy nominations, earning the dubious distinction of being the second most-nominated program in Emmy history without a win. Only AMC’s “Better Call Saul” had lost more, with 53 nominations and no wins over six seasons. Until recently, “Newhart” held the record for most Emmy losses, with 25 unsuccessful nominations between 1982 and 1990. In 2023, “The Late Show” surpassed “Newhart,” cementing its place in Emmy lore.

The show’s long-awaited victory at the Creative Arts Emmys is not just a personal achievement for Colbert and his team—it’s a symbolic moment for late-night television, a genre that has faced increasing challenges in an era of streaming platforms and shifting viewer habits.

Colbert’s Personal Emmy Legacy

While the “Late Show” itself had been snubbed for years, Stephen Colbert is no stranger to Emmy glory. Over his career, Colbert has won 10 Emmy Awards, primarily for his previous work on “The Colbert Report,” which ran on Comedy Central from 2005 to 2014. Colbert’s sharp wit and incisive political humor earned him critical acclaim and a loyal following, setting the stage for his transition to CBS.

His most recent Emmy win before this year came for the special “Stephen Colbert’s Election Night 2020: Democracy’s Last Stand: Building Back America Great Again Better 2020,” which showcased his ability to blend comedy with serious political analysis.

Under David Letterman’s stewardship, “The Late Show” enjoyed a golden era, winning nine Emmys—including seven for Outstanding Variety Series—before “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” began to dominate the late-night scene in the early 2000s.

Looking Ahead: The Show’s Enduring Legacy

Despite its cancellation, “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” continues to make waves in the industry. This year, the program received two Primetime Emmy nominations: one for Outstanding Talk Series and another for Outstanding Directing (awarded to Hoskinson). The results for Outstanding Talk Series are set to be announced at the main Emmy ceremony on September 14, adding yet another chapter to the show’s storied history.

As fans and critics reflect on the end of “The Late Show,” the Emmy win stands as a testament to the hard work, creativity, and resilience of its cast and crew. The recognition serves as a reminder of the show’s significant contributions to late-night television, its ability to spark conversation, and its role in shaping the cultural and political discourse of the past decade.

While the curtain has closed on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” its legacy endures—not just in the annals of Emmy history, but in the hearts of viewers who tuned in night after night. The Emmy win is more than a trophy; it’s a celebration of a show that, even in its final act, proved its worth and left an indelible mark on television.