Stephen Colbert Celebrates Emmy Win Amid CBS Cancellation: 'Free Speech Is Alive and Well'

Despite the cancellation of "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" by CBS, the show’s host remains optimistic about the future of late-night television. Following an impressive Emmy win for Outstanding Variety Series, Colbert expressed his belief that late-night is as vital as ever.

In an interview with CNN’s Elizabeth Wagmeister and Variety’s Ramin Setoodeh, Colbert asserted, “Free speech is alive and well,” emphasizing that the ability to speak freely is what makes late-night programming essential. He praised his fellow late-night hosts, stating, “I love watching Jimmy and Jimmy and John and John and Seth and everybody else,” and expressed hope for the longevity of the genre.

The Emmy victory honors the show's final season, which concluded in May, and comes amidst a competitive landscape that included nominees like "The Daily Show" and "Last Week Tonight With John Oliver." Colbert’s remarks reflected a sense of gratitude not only for the award but also for the collaborative spirit of the crew, highlighting the importance of team effort in achieving creative success.

Colbert also showcased his trademark humor during the interview, deflecting questions about Donald Trump and stating, “That’s a beautiful dress. It’s amazing,” when asked about the cancellation. He expressed delight in reuniting with his team after four months apart, stating, “We couldn’t be more grateful to the academy and everybody who voted for the show.”

In addition to the Emmy for Outstanding Variety Series, "The Late Show" had an impressive run at the awards, securing four additional wins over the weekend for categories including Outstanding Writing and Directing.

Source: variety.com