An almighty debate erupted among Emmys viewers on Sunday evening just moments into this year’s ceremony after talk show host Stephen Colbert received a standing ovation from the star-studded crowd.
Mr Colbert, who was nominated for a gong himself, took to the stage minutes into the show to present the outstanding lead actor in a comedy series award.
In doing so, he received an extraordinary reception, with the audience rising to their feet and repeatedly chanting his name.
The spontaneous demonstration of support came merely two months after CBS revealed plans to terminate The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in May 2026.
Emmys 2025: Stephen Colbert received a standing ovation on Sunday night
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Attendees chanted “Stephen! Stephen! Stephen!” in a display of solidarity for the veteran broadcaster whose programme faces cancellation after more than a decade on air.
The 61-year-old comedian responded to the overwhelming support with characteristic humour, asking: “While I have your attention, is anyone hiring?” He then produced a CV featuring a retro photograph of himself.
In a theatrical gesture, Mr Colbert passed the document to Harrison Ford, requesting he forward it to Steven Spielberg.
Mr Colbert’s upcoming departure from CBS caught the attention of fans and critics alike earlier this year, most notably President Donald Trump.
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Mr Colbert has used his late-night talk show platform to regularly criticise the President and the Republican Party as a whole. Inevitably, President Trump took great delight when he learned Mr Colbert had been fired.
President Trump previously said he “absolutely loved” that Mr Colbert’s show had been axed. Mr Colbert responded soon after, telling the President to “go f***” himself during an episode of his show.
The political differences between Mr Colbert and President Trump were replicated in the reaction to the Emmy audience’s standing ovation on Sunday. Critics took to social media to slam the reception Mr Colbert received while his fans argued it was “deserved”.
On X, one critic slammed the display, saying: “Of course #Emmys had to start with the self-righteous Stephen Colbert… Can’t wait for all the lefty political preaching to start from these airheads tonight.”
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“#Emmys Colbert got a standing ovation for what!? Moronic,” a second criticised before a third sarcastically typed: “You know how you get normies and conservatives to watch the #Emmys? You have Colbert on … NOT!”
A fourth also blasted: “Look at all these asses standing up for Steven Colbert. It actually turned my stomach. #Emmys #liberals.”
And a fifth concurred: “Stephen Colbert standing ovation just cause his show got cancelled is stupid af #Emmys.”
However, the 61-year-old did receive plenty of support from other fans who reciprocated the support shown by the famous attendees.
Stephen Colbert earns a massive standing ovation at the #Emmys and jokes “Is anyone hiring?” pic.twitter.com/vepMYMXdSX
— Variety (@Variety) September 15, 2025
“See CBS? Stephen Colbert is BELOVED and you RUINED it, but when he goes, I, for one, will follow #Emmys,” one fan argued before a second simply put: “Standing ovation for Stephen Colbert! Love that #Emmys.”
Elsewhere, a third praised: “Stephen Colbert deserves all of the love and applause he’s getting! #Emmys.” (sic)
Mr Colbert ended up handing the award to Seth Rogen for his role in The Studio on Apple TV.
Throughout his career, Mr Colbert garnered 44 Primetime Emmy nominations, securing 10 victories for his contributions to The Daily Show and The Colbert Report.
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His accolades extend beyond television, encompassing two Grammy Awards, five Peabody Awards, seven Producers Guild Awards and four Writers Guild Awards.
Speaking on the red carpet before the ceremony, Mr Colbert discussed the programme’s final nine months with optimism. “We’ve got nine more months of the show and we’re going to have a really good time doing it,” he told E! Online.
The presenter expressed deep appreciation for his 200-member crew, stating: “The people who do the show teach me what it’s like to be a professional.”
He acknowledged receiving the public recognition whilst hoping his colleagues would gain deserved acknowledgement through potential Emmy success.