Stephen Colbert Endorses Fellow Nominee Jimmy Kimmel for 2026 Emmys Win: ‘Look How Cute He Is’

As Emmy voting nears its conclusion, Stephen Colbert has publicly backed his friend and fellow nominee Jimmy Kimmel for the 2026 Outstanding Variety Series award. In a Tuesday Instagram video, the "Stephen Colbert" shared, "Oh hi, Stephen Colbert here at the end of the world. 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." Colbert went on to say, "First up, we have Outstanding Variety Series. Kind of a weird voting system this year, but you know I think we can all agree that Jimmy Kimmel deserves an Emmy." He emphasized Kimmel's cuteness, stating, "Besides, look how cute he is." This endorsement comes three months after "The Late Show" concluded on CBS, with both Colbert and Kimmel having engaged in public feuds with President Trump's administration over free speech.

In his final monologue on May 21, Colbert addressed the audience, saying, "This show has been a joy for us to do for you. In fact, we call this show the joy machine... But the thing is, if you choose to do it with joy it doesn't hurt as much when your fingers get caught in the gears." The comedians' late-night shows will compete against "The Daily Show," "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver," and "Saturday Night Live" in the newly consolidated category for variety-talk and scripted-variety acts.

Colbert and his team previously won Outstanding Talk Series in 2025, which Kimmel did not secure. The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards are set to air on Sept. 14 on NBC and Peacock.