Colbert's team wins six awards, including Outstanding Writing, at the Creative Arts Emmys
Category: Arts & Culture
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert had a surprising night at the first evening of the Emmy awards on September 5, 2026. The canceled series secured two major victories at the event formerly known as the Creative Arts Emmys, marking a notable comeback for the show. Colbert Before Air won the Emmy for Outstanding Short Form Comedy, Drama or Variety Series, and The Late Show itself took home the award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series, ending Last Week Tonight with John Oliver's decade-long winning streak in that category.
This year’s ceremony, held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, kicked off the 78th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, which will conclude with the main awards broadcast on September 14. The significance of these wins reflects the changing tides in late-night television and hints at Colbert's potential for future success at the upcoming Primetime ceremony.
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert team won six awards out of nine nominations during the first pre-telecast Emmy ceremony. In addition to the writing award, the show won Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series for its series finale, Outstanding Technical Direction and Camerawork, Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction, and Outstanding Picture Editing for Variety Programming (Segment). Tom Purcell, the executive producer of The Late Show, expressed gratitude upon accepting the writing award, stating, “I’d like to thank all those who keep late-night going, [John] Oliver, [Jimmy] Kimmel, super important institution in this country, keep the flame burning, guys.”
Colbert Before Air, the digital series that aired only ten episodes over the past year, was another highlight of the evening. It won the Emmy for Outstanding Short Form Comedy, Drama or Variety Series, a surprising achievement considering its limited airtime. Meanwhile, The Daily Show also had a successful night, with Jordan Klepper Fingers the Pulse: Give the Man a Prize winning Outstanding Writing for a Nonfiction Program. Desi Lydic from The Daily Show won Outstanding Performer in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series for her work on The Daily Show: Desi Lydic Foxsplains, marking her second consecutive win in the category.
The 78th Emmys began with the Creative Arts ceremony on September 5 and 6, 2026, celebrating the contributions of creative artists across various genres, including reality, nonfiction, game, and variety shows. This year, the Television Academy made the controversial decision to move five categories from the primetime broadcast to the creative arts ceremony, a move that sparked backlash from acting, writing, and directing guilds. The categories shifted included Supporting Actor and Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, Writing and Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, and Writing for a Variety Series.
Among the notable winners at the ceremony was Mariska Hargitay, who won two Primetime Emmy Awards for her documentary My Mom Jayne, which explores the life of her late mother, Jayne Mansfield. Hargitay paid tribute to feminist icon Gloria Steinem, who passed away earlier that week at the age of 92. During her acceptance speech, she quoted Steinem, stating, "The most important thing we can do for each other is to know each other through stories." Hargitay's wins underscored the impact of personal storytelling in documentary filmmaking.
Saturday Night Live also made history, winning its record 114th Emmy for Outstanding Makeup for a Variety, Nonfiction, or Reality Program. This marked the third consecutive win for Louie Zakarian’s SNL team, adding to its long-standing legacy in the awards circuit.
The success of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at the Creative Arts Emmys sets a promising tone for the upcoming Primetime Emmy Awards, where the show is one of five nominees for Outstanding Variety Series. The competition includes Last Week Tonight, The Daily Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and Saturday Night Live, all of which have strong followings and histories of success. With the momentum gained from the Creative Arts wins, Colbert's team appears well-positioned to continue their winning streak.
An edited highlight show featuring the weekend’s ceremonies is scheduled to air on September 12 at 8 p.m. PT on FXX, providing fans with a glimpse of the celebration and achievements from both nights. The Primetime Awards will be broadcast live on NBC on September 14, hosted by Mariska Hargitay, who is expected to bring her unique charm to the event.
As the Emmy season progresses, the stakes remain high for all nominees. The wins for The Late Show and its digital counterpart, Colbert Before Air, have reignited interest in Colbert’s work and could influence the audience's perception leading up to the main event. The results from the Creative Arts Emmys may serve as a bellwether for the Primetime Awards, where viewers will be eager to see if Colbert can maintain his newfound momentum.
In a year marked by changes and controversies within the Emmy Awards structure, the recognition of diverse storytelling and the celebration of creative excellence remain at the forefront. The upcoming Primetime Emmy Awards promise to be a night of excitement, with many talented individuals and shows vying for recognition in the ever-evolving television industry.