Stephen Colbert took a pointed jab at his soon-to-be former employer, CBS, while presenting at the 2025 Emmy Awards, quipping, "While I have your attention, is anyone hiring?"
Colbert received a standing ovation as he walked onstage and told the audience he had "brought my own resume here tonight," then produced a dated headshot and joked that he "hadn't a chance to update" it. He approached Harrison Ford in the audience and asked if the actor could get the photo to Steven Spielberg.
Colbert presented the Emmy for Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, an award that was won by Seth Rogen for his role in "The Studio." The exchange came amid heightened attention to Colbert's future after CBS announced in July that "The Late Show" would end in 2026.
CBS said the decision to end the long-running late-night franchise was "purely financial." Some observers, however, suggested the network's move may have been influenced by Colbert's frequent political commentary. Colbert has not publicly tied the cancellation to any single cause and has stressed his intent to make the remainder of the show's run enjoyable for both the staff and viewers.
Earlier in the evening, Colbert walked the red carpet with his wife, Evie, and spoke with E! about what fans could expect from his remaining months on the show. "So the next thing is we've got nine more months of the show," he said, adding, "We're going to have a really good time." Colbert is nominated this year in the outstanding talk series category and said a win would be a way to honor "the people who do the show every day and teach me what it's like to be a professional."
Colbert's monologue at the ceremony mixed self-deprecating humor with gratitude for his colleagues. He has hosted the franchise through several iterations over decades; the network's decision to conclude the program next year marks the end of a long-running late-night presence on CBS.
The Emmy appearance and Colbert's public remarks underscore the attention surrounding the show's final months. Network officials and Colbert's representatives did not immediately provide further comment beyond the statements issued earlier in the year. Coverage of the awards continued throughout the evening as winners were announced and presenters, including Colbert, reflected on their work and colleagues.