Stephen Colbert, who hosted his final episode of "The Late Show" in May, encouraged Emmy voters to consider Jimmy Kimmel for the best variety show award during a video posted on social media. Colbert's canceled show is nominated for Outstanding Variety Series at the 2026 Emmy Awards, alongside Kimmel's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!", "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver", "The Daily Show", and "Saturday Night Live".
In the video, filmed at a scenic location, Colbert stated, "Oh, hi, Stephen Colbert here at the end of the world. You know, there are 24 hours in Emmy voting, and if you’re anything like me, you haven’t even started yet. So, let’s get going." He continued, "First up we have, oh, Outstanding Variety Series. … I think we can all agree that Jimmy Kimmel deserves an Emmy. I don’t care if you’ve never even seen his show, you know he deserves an Emmy," while displaying an image of Kimmel on his tablet.
Curtis Houck, managing editor of NewsBusters, criticized Colbert’s message, calling it "beyond pathetic and embarrassing" and suggesting it reflects a partisan bias in network comedy. Kimmel has previously criticized CBS for canceling Colbert’s show, which sparked debate about the reasons behind the cancellation. CBS announced the cancellation in 2025, citing financial losses of approximately $40 million per year, a claim that Colbert disputed on his show.
Kimmel and Colbert have a history of supporting each other, with Kimmel expressing his intentions to watch Colbert's final episode and urging viewers to tune in. In the past, Kimmel has faced backlash for controversial remarks, including comments about Charlie Kirk and a joke regarding Melania Trump, which led to temporary suspension and public criticism.
The Emmy Awards will take place soon, with Colbert's nomination alongside Kimmel's show highlighting the competitive landscape of late-night television.