CBS has officially started its Emmy push for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, rolling out a celebrity-filled campaign video designed to remind voters why Colbert remains one of late night’s sharpest and most respected voices.
The timing, though, is what makes this more interesting than a standard awards-season promo. Last year, after CBS announced it would cancel The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel made a very public show of support for his fellow host. His message was simple and impossible to miss: a billboard declaring, “I’m voting for Stephen.”
Now, with Kimmel coming off a rough year of his own, many in the TV industry are watching to see whether CBS or the Colbert camp will return the favor. So far, the answer appears to be: not publicly.
CBS Emmy campaign puts Stephen Colbert front and center
The new Late Show with Stephen Colbert Emmy campaign video leans into familiar awards-season strategy: big names, warm praise, and a polished reminder of the show’s cultural footprint. CBS clearly wants Emmy voters thinking about Colbert’s influence, especially in the competitive late-night category.
That is hardly surprising. Colbert has long been a major player in late night, blending political comedy, celebrity interviews, musical performances, and monologues that often travel far beyond the CBS audience once clips hit social media.
What stands out is not that CBS is backing Colbert. It is that the push arrives after Kimmel previously spent his own political and industry capital boosting Colbert’s Emmy chances.
Jimmy Kimmel’s support for Stephen Colbert still hangs over the race
Kimmel’s billboard was more than a funny gesture between late-night rivals. It became a visible sign of solidarity at a moment when Colbert’s future was under intense scrutiny. Late-night hosts compete for guests, ratings, viral clips, and awards, but they also understand the pressure of keeping a network talk show relevant in a fractured media landscape.
That is why the absence of a similar public statement from CBS on Kimmel’s behalf is being noticed. Networks are careful during Emmy season, and campaign choices can be strategic rather than personal. Still, awards narratives matter. Voters notice who gets celebrated, who gets defended, and who gets left to campaign without a megaphone from the broader late-night community.
Late-night Emmy race remains unusually personal
The late-night Emmy race has changed dramatically over the past decade. Ratings are no longer the only measure of success. Viral moments, political relevance, social engagement, and industry goodwill all play a role. Colbert, Kimmel, Seth Meyers, John Oliver, and others are not just competing for a trophy; they are competing to prove that late-night television still matters.
For CBS, pushing Colbert makes obvious sense. He is the network’s late-night identity, and Emmy recognition keeps the brand in the conversation. For Kimmel, the question is whether last year’s goodwill toward Colbert will translate into visible support now that he could use some of that same energy.
At the moment, CBS’ message is clear: the network is campaigning hard for The Late Show. What is less clear is whether anyone in that orbit plans to publicly champion Kimmel in return.
Where to watch The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel Live
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert airs on CBS in the US and is available through Paramount+ in supported US plans and markets. Availability of full episodes in the UK and EU may vary, though official clips are widely available on YouTube.
Jimmy Kimmel Live! airs on ABC in the US, with episodes and clips available through ABC’s digital platforms and Hulu in the US. UK and EU availability varies by region, with official YouTube clips often the easiest legal option.
Tags: #StephenColbert #JimmyKimmel #LateShow #Emmys #LateNightTV
About the Author
