ENTERTAINMENTStephen Colbert Backs Jimmy Kimmel's Emmy Bid in Late-Night Favor Return: 'Look How Cute He Is'
Stephen Colbert urged Emmy voters to support Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show.
Aug. 28 2026, Published 6:34 a.m. ET
Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel may technically be Emmy rivals this year, but Colbert is not acting like it.
With voting nearly closed, Colbert posted an Instagram video urging Television Academy members to support Jimmy Kimmel Live! for Outstanding Variety Series.
The pitch doubled as a late-night thank-you note: last year, Kimmel publicly backed Colbert after CBS announced the end of The Late Show, even putting up a Los Angeles billboard that read, “I’m voting for Stephen.”
Stephen Colbert returned Jimmy Kimmel’s support after he backed his Emmy campaign.
The gesture came before Colbert won his first Emmy for Outstanding Talk Series as host of the CBS franchise.
Stephen Colbert Makes the Case for Jimmy Kimmel
Stephen Colbert praised Jimmy Kimmel as voting neared its deadline.
In the new video, Colbert appeared outdoors near an ocean overlook and joked that he was filming from “the end of the world.” He told followers there were only 24 hours left in Emmy voting.
“If you’re anything like me, you haven’t even started yet,” Colbert said. “So, let’s get going.”
When he reached the Outstanding Variety Series, Colbert acknowledged that the process is unusual this year, then threw his support behind Kimmel.
“I think we can all agree that Jimmy Kimmel deserves an Emmy,” he said. “I don’t care if you’ve never even seen his show. You know he deserves an Emmy.”
Colbert then held up a photo of Kimmel on a tablet and added, “Besides, look how cute he is.”
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A Strange Emmy Race
Stephen Colbert endorsed Jimmy Kimmel despite ‘The Late Show’ competing in the same Emmy category.
The endorsement is notable because The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is also nominated in the category. Colbert’s show earned nine Emmy nominations this year, the most of his 11-year run, including recognition for writing, directing and several technical categories.
This year’s Outstanding Variety Series lineup includes Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Daily Show, Saturday Night Live and Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.
But the category is now being treated as an area award, meaning voters are not choosing only one winner. Instead, each nominee is judged on whether it merits an Emmy, and multiple shows could win if they meet the required voting threshold.
Late Night Sticks Together
The endorsement highlighted the solidarity between late-night hosts.
Colbert’s support for Kimmel lands during a turbulent period for late night. CBS ended The Late Show in May, while Kimmel has also faced repeated criticism from President Donald Trump and his allies.
Kimmel has leaned into that attention during Emmy season. He recently posted his own campaign-style montage made entirely from Trump insults, thanking the president “for your consideration.”
Colbert’s endorsement keeps that spirit going, turning the category into something warmer than a traditional awards fight.
“Anyway, please consider thinking that Jimmy deserves an Emmy,” Colbert said. “I do. I love you.”
