The cancellation of “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” may have disappointed fans, but it has also sparked a rallying cry for Emmy voters to finally give the long-running talk show the recognition it deserves. Despite accumulating an impressive 33 Emmy nominations since its debut in 2015, the show has yet to secure a win, making it the second most-nominated show without a victory in Primetime Emmy history.
With CBS’ controversial decision to cancel the show for “financial reasons,” there is a sense of frustration among viewers and industry insiders. This underdog narrative could inspire Emmy voters to finally acknowledge the show hosted by the talented 61-year-old comedian. The fact that it is nominated in the outstanding talk series category, one of only 15 categories voted on by the entire Television Academy membership, further increases its chances of success.
The competition in the outstanding talk series category is relatively limited, with only two other nominees – last year’s winner “The Daily Show” and ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” With Colbert’s departure from the late-night scene and the lingering outrage over the show’s cancellation, this could be the perfect opportunity for Emmy voters to give “The Late Show” its long-awaited moment of glory.
Colbert, who already boasts 10 Emmys to his name, has been recognized for his previous work on “The Colbert Report” and his recent win for his special “Stephen Colbert’s Election Night 2020: Democracy’s Last Stand: Building Back America Great Again Better 2020.” Despite consistently losing to “Last Week Tonight With John Oliver” from 2017 to 2022, Colbert’s show has the chance to shine in its final year of eligibility.
During David Letterman’s tenure as host of “The Late Show” from 1993 to 2015, the program received numerous Emmy accolades, including seven wins for outstanding variety series. However, the show’s winning streak came to an end when “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” emerged as a dominant force in late-night television.
As Colbert’s version of “The Late Show” comes to an end, Emmy voters have one of two final opportunities to honor a host and a show that have left a lasting impact on the political comedy landscape of the past decade. Whether or not the show secures a win this year, its legacy will undoubtedly endure in the hearts of its dedicated fans and industry peers.
