Colbert vs. Trump: Emmy Speculations Amid Cancellation News

A Hollywood reporter speculated on Monday about how the ongoing feud between Stephen Colbert and President Donald Trump could have played a role in Colbert’s show winning its first Emmy.

Last Thursday, CBS announced it would be canceling “Evening Show” at the end of the current season. The network, along with Paramount, attributed this decision to financial reasons, citing that the show has faced losses of about $40 million annually. However, some commentators have pointed to a recent settlement in a lawsuit involving Trump and an impending merger with Skydance as potential influencing factors.

Almost immediately after the news broke, Trump took to social media to proclaim that Colbert’s talent “is less than he appreciated,” relishing in the show’s demise.

In a particularly pointed moment on his show, Colbert pushed back against Trump, provocatively asking, “What dare you, sensei?” He challenged whether someone who lacks pride could actually inspire true satirical wit.

Steven Zeitchik, of the Hollywood Reporter, discussed the cancellation of “The Late Show” alongside the barbs exchanged with Trump, suggesting that such controversy might inspire Emmy voters to recognize Colbert’s comedic efforts nearly a decade later. He noted, “It’s not necessarily about whether the president influenced the cancellation; it’s more about how voters perceive the ongoing political tussle.” While winning an Emmy won’t change actual policies related to immigration or healthcare, it offers a rare platform for Hollywood to express its frustrations with political leaders.

Colbert’s “Late Show” is currently nominated for Best Talk Series, standing alongside Jon Stewart’s “Daily Show,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” and “Late Night with Seth Meyers.” Notably, during his tenure, Colbert’s show has racked up 31 Emmy nominations since 2015.

Zeitchik also posited that if Colbert were to win the Emmy, it might provide a bigger stage for comedians who oppose Trump to launch their critiques on a more personal level.

He added a layer of irony, hinting that if Trump’s attitude ultimately leads to Colbert receiving an Emmy, it would be a peculiar twist, given that Trump has previously been on the receiving end of criticism from Colbert.

Fox News Digital reached out to the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for comments regarding the situation.