Stephen Colbert’s former writers land major role at 2026 Emmys

“The Late Show” franchise ended on May 21, 2026, after a 33-year run that began with David Letterman in 1993. Stephen Colbert hosted the program for its final 11 seasons after succeeding Letterman in 2015.

CBS chose to retire the franchise rather than replace Colbert, calling him “irreplaceable” and saying the decision was based on financial considerations in the late-night business.

The former “Late Show” team has remained visible since the finale. The program earned a record 9 Emmy nominations for its final season, and former members of its writing staff are now helping Mariska Hargitay prepare to host the 2026 Emmy Awards.

The Late Show franchise ends after 33 years

CBS launched “The Late Show” with David Letterman in 1993. Stephen Colbert succeeded Letterman in September 2015 and hosted the franchise until its final broadcast on May 21, 2026.

CBS said ending the program was a financial decision and specifically denied that it was related to the show’s performance, content, or other matters involving parent company Paramount. The network chose to retire the name ” The Late Show” rather than search for another permanent host.

The finale, therefore, ended a 33-year CBS franchise and Colbert’s 11-season run behind the desk. It also left dozens of writers, producers, and crew members searching for their next chapter. Many had worked together for years and built a tight creative bond.

CBS called Colbert irreplaceable

CBS executives called Colbert “irreplaceable” when they announced in July 2025 that his program would end the following May. The network said it would retire the “Late Show” franchise rather than appoint another host.

Colbert told his studio audience that he had learned the previous night that the coming season would be his last. Audience members reacted audibly to the announcement. The crowd responded with loud boos and groans at the announcement.

The timing generated outside speculation because Paramount was facing intense corporate and political scrutiny. CBS explicitly denied that the cancellation had anything to do with the show’s content, performance, or other matters at Paramount.

The Late Show earns a record 9 Emmy nominations

“The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” received 9 nominations for the 2026 Emmys, the program’s biggest single-year nomination total. Categories included outstanding variety series and writing for a variety series.

The nominations include Outstanding Variety Series and Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series, along with directing, production design, technical direction, camerawork, lighting design, sound mixing, picture editing, and music direction. The breadth of categories showed just how many people contributed behind the scenes.

The program also received a Peabody Award presented in 2021 for its work during 2020, when the show adapted to pandemic-era production while continuing its comedy and political commentary. This year’s nomination haul added fresh validation right as the series wrapped up.

Writers launch their own Emmy campaign

Ahead of nomination-round Emmy voting, the former “Late Show” writing staff created its own For Your Consideration video after CBS did not mount an Emmy campaign for the writers. They filmed and released a video celebrating their achievements.

Staff writer Felipe Torres Medina shared the video in June, joking that the team had made its own campaign for “strictly financial reasons,” an obvious reference to CBS’s wording when it announced the show’s cancellation. The caption noted that the network’s choice was framed as a financial decision.

The homemade spot introduced members of the writing staff in the style of an ’80s sitcom opening and promoted the team for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series. Their effort paid off when the writing staff received an Emmy nomination in July.

Mariska Hargitay taps Colbert writers for the Emmys

“Law & Order: SVU” star Mariska Hargitay will host the 78th Emmy Awards on September 14, 2026, marking her first time hosting the ceremony. The pairing surprised some longtime fans of both shows.

Hargitay revealed that she is working with writers from “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” as she prepares for the telecast. She said the group has been collaborating and pitching ideas as preparations continue.

Hargitay has received 8 acting Emmy nominations for playing Olivia Benson, winning in 2006, and she added 2 more nominations in 2026 for her documentary “My Mom Jayne“. That brings her career total to 10. She explained that humor has always been part of her life on set.

Fun fact: Colbert has not ruled out running for office, saying he would consider serving America someday.

Colbert moves into Middle-earth with a new film

Colbert has confirmed one post-“Late Show” project. He will co-write and develop a new “Lord of the Rings” movie with his son, screenwriter Peter McGee, and veteran Tolkien screenwriter Philippa Boyens.

The film’s working title is The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past, not “Shadows of the Past“. A director has not yet been announced. Colbert has been a lifelong fan of the Lord of the Rings books and films.

Peter Jackson appeared with Colbert when the project was announced, but current reporting does not establish that Jackson is co-writing the screenplay or personally shaping the story. The movie is being developed by Warner Bros. Discovery and New Line Cinema.

The Late Show remained a ratings leader

“The Late Show” remained a ratings leader through its final months. Nielsen data show it averaged about 2.7 million viewers in the first quarter of 2026, ahead of its network late-night competitors in total viewers.

Viewership increased as the finale approached. The program averaged 4.20 million nightly viewers in May, its biggest monthly audience of Colbert’s tenure, while its final episode drew more than 9 million viewers after 3 days of delayed viewing.

Other late-night programs also recorded audience gains during parts of 2026, including “Jimmy Kimmel Live! “in the first quarter. CBS maintained that ending “The Late Show” was a financial decision rather than a ratings decision.

What comes next for Colbert and his writers

Colbert’s clearest confirmed post-“Late Show” project is his work developing “The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past” with Peter McGee and Philippa Boyens. He also interviewed former President Barack Obama during his emotional final weeks on the air.

Before the finale, Colbert also addressed several rumors about his future during an appearance with Seth Meyers, including speculation about television projects and even a possible political run. He largely declined to confirm those reports, saying only that he would consider public service under the right circumstances.

His former writing team, meanwhile, has already secured a new assignment by working with Mariska Hargitay as she prepares to host the September 14 Emmy Awards. The tight-knit team that built one of television’s most awarded shows appears far from finished.

Little-known fact: In 2014, Colbert joked he would have to grind a gap into his front teeth after landing the Late Show job.

TL;DR

• The Late Show with Stephen Colbert ended in May 2026 after 33 years on air.
• CBS called Colbert irreplaceable and retired the franchise instead of naming a new host.
• The show earned nine Emmy nominations this year, its highest total ever.
• Writers made their own award campaign video after CBS skipped a formal push.
• Mariska Hargitay is working with Colbert’s former writers ahead of hosting the Emmys.

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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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