Fans speak out ahead of Stephen Colbert’s final ‘Late Show’
“Very unfortunate.” USA TODAY’s Raphie Aversa spoke to fans outside the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City ahead of the final “Late Show.”
Stephen Colbert is locking in his Emmy picks, and he has a surprising endorsement for outstanding variety series: his own competition.
The comedian, 62, took to Instagram on Aug. 25 to encourage Television Academy voters to consider “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” in the category of best variety series at the 2026 Emmy Awards. Colbert’s “The Late Show,” which ended in May, is nominated in the same category.
In the video, Colbert, sporting a beard, addresses the camera while working on his Emmy ballot and noting that the deadline to vote is Wednesday, Aug. 26.
“I think we can all agree that Jimmy Kimmel deserves an Emmy,” the former “Late Show” host said. “I don’t care if you’ve never even seen his show: You know he deserves an Emmy.”
“Besides, look how cute he is!” he also quipped, turning his iPad around to show a photo of Kimmel. “Anyway, please consider thinking that Jimmy deserves an Emmy. I do.”
According to the Television Academy, the outstanding variety series category, in which Kimmel and Colbert are both competing, has been reclassified as an “area award” for this year’s ceremony, allowing for the possibility of more than one winner.
“In an area award, nominees are judged individually on their own merits,” the Television Academy explains. “Instead of Emmy voters selecting one nominee to win, voters must answer for each nominee: ‘Does this nominee merit an Emmy? Yes/No.’ Any nominee who reaches a 90% ‘Yes’ threshold receives an Emmy, providing the opportunity for multiple winners in the category. If no nominee reaches the 90% threshold, the nominee with the highest ‘Yes’ percentage receives an Emmy.”
With the video, Colbert was returning the favor to Kimmel, who similarly endorsed his late-night competition at the Emmys last year. Ahead of the 2025 awards ceremony, Kimmel put up a billboard in Hollywood that simply read, “I’m voting for Stephen.” Kimmel’s late-night show, which airs on ABC, was nominated that year against Colbert’s “The Late Show,” which had recently been canceled by CBS.
“The Late Show” wound up winning the Emmy in September 2025. Colbert received a standing ovation at the ceremony and delivered a passionate acceptance speech, in which he said he hopes that late-night continues “long after we’re no longer doing this show.”
Despite technically being competitors on different networks, Kimmel and Colbert are good friends and have regularly supported one another’s shows over the years. In September, they each appeared as a guest on the other’s program on the same evening. During one of the two sit-downs, Kimmel joked he has “never been happier to lose the Emmy” and was glad that Colbert won the award.
“Thank you very much. It was a lovely night. You know I’m a fan of yours, and I’ve never been happier for you to lose the Emmy,” Colbert quipped.
Kimmel and Colbert’s shows have both had eventful years: Colbert’s officially ended in May after CBS announced its cancelation the year prior, while Kimmel was temporarily pulled off the air in September over comments he made in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s death.
Kimmel has also faced repeated calls by President Donald Trump for him to lose his job. The official Instagram account for “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” recently released a montage of Trump slamming him as a way of promoting the show’s Emmy campaign.
When are the Emmys? Date, host revealed
The 2026 Emmy Awards air on Sept. 14, hosted by Mariska Hargitay. In addition to Colbert and Kimmel’s shows, the outstanding variety series category also includes “The Daily Show,” “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” and “Saturday Night Live.”