ALBAWABA - Stephen Colbert writers launch independent Emmy campaign amid CBS support controversy.
According to a writer for "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," the canceled talk show has received no support from its previous network for Emmy Award consideration.
During its 11-season existence, CBS' late-night show got scores of nominations, including outstanding writing for a variety series, but it only won two. The show won two awards in 2025 for finest conversation series and outstanding directing for a variety series.
However, in a June 20 Instagram post, show writer Felipe Torres Medina said that "CBS is not doing a For Your Consideration campaign for us, so 'strictly for financial reasons' the @colbertlateshow writers made our own #FYC campaign."
The former staffer's post refers to the reason Paramount cancelled "The Late Show" in 2025. CBS replaced the series with the syndicated comic panel show "Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen," which airs daily at 11:35 p.m. ET/PT, when Colbert signed off on May 21.
The Instagram video begins with the statement, "We'd love an Emmy!" before introducing the writing staff one by one, much like a classic sitcom's opening credits. The clip concludes with a photo of Colbert from years ago, captioned "And introducing Stephen T. Colbert as 'Da Boss.'"
Despite Medina's allegations, CBS carried out an FYC campaign for the series in all relevant categories, including TV ads and digital billboards in New York and Los Angeles, as well as many emails to voters.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, CBS purchased an FYC ad for "The Late Show" on their website, "with a link going to a page that listed all the writers."
The Emmy nominees' voting ended on Monday, June 22. On Wednesday, July 8, "The Bear" star Liza Colón-Zayas and Jeff Hiller of "Widow's Bay" will reveal the nominations.
A host has yet to be announced for the ceremony, which will be telecast on NBC and Peacock on September 14, 2026.
