Stephen Colbert posted a video endorsement for his friend, insisting Jimmy Kimmel “deserves an Emmy”

NEED TO KNOW

• Stephen Colbert has a message for Emmy voters
• The Late Show with Stephen Colbert alum insisted that his friend Jimmy Kimmel “deserves an Emmy” in a video message shared on Instagram
• “I don’t care if you’ve never even seen his show,” Colbert told his followers

Stephen Colbert is back with a beard and an equally important message for Emmy voters.

On Tuesday, Aug. 25, the Late Show with Stephen Colbert alum shared a video of himself sitting outdoors in an effort to urge voters to consider his friend Jimmy Kimmel for the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards.

“Oh, hi. Stephen Colbert here at the end of the world,” Colbert, 62, jokingly began. “You know, there’s 24 hours left in Emmy voting and if you’re anything like me, you haven’t even started yet, so let’s get going.”

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The clip then showed Colbert looking at his tablet as he specifically pointed out the Outstanding Variety Series category. Colbert’s Late Show is also nominated in the category, which includes nods for The Daily Show, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and Saturday Night Live.

“Kind of a weird voting system this year, but I think we can all agree that Jimmy Kimmel deserves an Emmy. I don’t care if you’ve never even seen his show. You know he deserves an Emmy,” he said, before showing a portrait of Kimmel, 58. “Besides, look how cute he is!”

“Anyway, please consider thinking that Jimmy deserves an Emmy,” Colbert concluded. “I do. I love you.”

Kimmel has also encouraged Emmy voters to keep Jimmy Kimmel Live! in mind this year, posting a “for your consideration” video to Instagram on Aug. 18, featuring all the times President Donald Trump has mocked him. “Thank you, Mr President, for your consideration #FYC,” Kimmel captioned the video.

Colbert’s message to his followers comes three months after the final episode of The Late Show, following an 11-year run. The network canceled the late-night program in July 2025, calling it “purely a financial decision” and “not related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.” At the time of the cancellation, Colbert criticized the network’s parent company, Paramount, for a $16 million settlement with President Donald Trump.

It’s also been a turbulent year for Kimmel, who has been at the receiving end of repeated verbal attacks from the president, 80, and was briefly removed from air in September 2025 over remarks he made about conservative personality Charlie Kirk. The president has continued to call for ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! to be canceled, including over a remark he made about Melania Trump.

Both Kimmel and Colbert have supported each other through the years, with Kimmel wishing his friend a “fond farewell” back in May before going dark during the final episode of The Late Show. Kimmel kept Jimmy Kimmel Live! off the air on May 21 “out of respect” for Colbert, sharing the day before that he hoped those getting rid of the show “feel ashamed of themselves tonight.”

“I think it is most important to congratulate Stephen and the team at The Late Show for all the great work, all the great work he will continue to do in other venues. I have no doubt. Everyone at that show has always been gracious to us,” he said.

“We never felt like we were competing against. It was nothing like the old days of late night. I always loved being on Stephen’s show, I loved having him here on ours. I hope we’re able to do that again. I hope he comes to visit as many times as possible.”

Jimmy Kimmel Live! airs weeknights at 11:35 p.m. ET on ABC. The 78th Emmy Awards will be broadcast live on Monday, Sept. 14, at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.

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