Stephen Colbert has revealed whether he plans to return to late-night television following the end of The Late Show in May. The host addressed his future during an exclusive interview with E! News at the 2026 Emmy Awards on Sept. 14.
"I think the Jimmys have got that locked down for right now," Colbert told Justin Sylvester during Live From E!: 2026 Emmys, referring to fellow late-night hosts Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel. "But thank you for the invitation."
Fallon hosts NBC's The Tonight Show, while Kimmel hosts ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live!, leaving little obvious room on the late-night schedule for Colbert to slot back in for now.
Life After The Late Show
The 62-year-old, who walked the red carpet with his wife, Evie McGee, joked about how he has been spending his time since leaving CBS. "For an unemployed person, I'm very busy," he said.
McGee backed up her husband's claim, though she said her frustration was less about how busy he has been and more about "him forgetting to tell me things."
Part of that busyness includes writing a new Lord of the Rings movie, Colbert said, offering an explanation for any lapses in communication: "There's no internet in Middle-earth, my man."
A Third Emmy Win For The Late Show
The night brought more than just red carpet banter. Colbert took home the Emmy for Outstanding Variety Series, marking the third trophy for The Late Show during his run as host.
The Late Show beat out The Daily Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Last Week Tonight With John Oliver and Saturday Night Live for the award. The ceremony, held at the Peacock Theater, was hosted by Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay.
Colbert used his acceptance speech to reflect on the show's 11-year run under his stewardship. "Thank you so much on behalf of the over 200 people who threw themselves at this show for 11 years to try to do the best show they possibly could for you," he said.
He also praised the format that defined much of his career, calling late-night TV a "fantastic incubator for young people to come in to learn to work professionally."
Thanking 1,000 Guests, And One In Particular
Colbert noted that his years on The Late Show gave him the chance to interview many of the stars in the room that night. "Over the last 21 years, I've interviewed at least 1,000 of you," he said. "Thank you for coming on to talk to this idiot. I want you to know that you were the perfect guest."
But he made clear that only one guest truly mattered to him: his wife, Evie McGee, with whom he shares three children, Madeleine, 31, Peter, 28, and John, 24.
"Thank you, darling. Thank you for being my only crew and my only guest during COVID," Colbert said. "And my only audience and the only audience I really care about."
He closed with a direct message to McGee. "Yours is the laugh that I want for the rest of my life," he said. "I love you."
