The closing season of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert has garnered nine Emmy nominations, marking the highest number received since Colbert’s tenure began. Alongside the nomination for Outstanding Variety Series, other categories include Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series, Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series, and Outstanding Production Design for a Variety or Reality Series. The show also received nods for Outstanding Technical Direction and Camerawork for a Series, as well as for Outstanding Lighting Design, Sound Mixing, Picture Editing for Variety Programming, and Music Direction.

Previously, the show achieved a record of five nominations in 2024, competing in production design, directing, lighting, talk series, and technical direction. Similar achievements were made in 2021 and 2022, with five nominations each.

During the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, Colbert accepted the Outstanding Talk Series Award onstage, highlighting his emotional connection to the show. “Sometimes, you only know how much you love something when you get a sense you might be losing it,” said Colbert in his acceptance speech. “I have never loved my country more desperately. God bless America.”

CBS acknowledged the nominations through an Instagram post. The network had announced the show’s cancellation last year, citing financial issues, notably a $40 million annual loss.

Colbert and several liberal commentators have criticized CBS for allegedly canceling the series to appease political pressures amid a major merger requiring FCC approval. Colbert expressed his views at the Writers Guild Awards, stating, “This is not the 1950s. This is not the Red Scare. And, as far as I can tell, no one in late night is fomenting a revolution.”

The final episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert aired on May 21. The season finale played a significant role in earning the Emmy nominations.