Stephen Colbert Saves the Emmys with Sizzling Opening Monologue Amid CBS Censorship Scandal

Emmys 2025: Stephen Colbert Steals the Show Amidst CBS Censorship Controversy In a night that will be remembered for years to come, Stephen Colbert brought his signature wit and charm to the 2025 Emmy Awards, salvaging an otherwise lackluster ceremony. As the first presenter of the evening, Colbert took center stage and delivered a series of scathing jokes aimed directly at CBS, the network behind his canceled show. Colbert's irreverent humor was met with thunderous applause from the audience, who gave him a standing ovation and chanted "Stephen! Stephen!" as he handed out awards. In a nod to his own uncertain future, Colbert quipped, "While I have your attention: Is anyone hiring?" before handing his resume to Harrison Ford. The move was seen as a bold rebuke of CBS's decision to cancel the Late Show franchise, which many in the industry believe was motivated by politics rather than ratings. "Stephen Colbert is a master of his craft," said Emmy-winning producer, Shonda Rhimes. "He knows how to use humor to make a point and bring attention to important issues." The controversy surrounding CBS's decision to cancel Colbert's show has been brewing for months, with many in the industry accusing the network of bowing to pressure from the White House. The move was seen as a blow to free speech and a worrying sign that corporate interests are taking precedence over artistic expression. Colbert's performance at the Emmys was widely praised by critics and viewers alike, who saw it as a defiant statement against censorship and a celebration of the power of comedy to speak truth to power. "Stephen Colbert is a true original," said comedian and actress, Tina Fey. "He's not afraid to take risks and push boundaries, even when it's uncomfortable." As for what's next, Colbert has announced that he will be taking his talents to Netflix, where he will host a new weekly show. The move is seen as a major coup for the streaming giant, which has been aggressively poaching talent from traditional networks. In the meantime, the controversy surrounding CBS's decision to cancel Colbert's show continues to simmer. While the network has maintained that the decision was based on ratings and not politics, many in the industry remain skeptical. As Colbert himself said, "I'm just glad I could bring a little bit of joy and humor to an otherwise dull evening." By the numbers: 2025 Emmy Awards Stephen Colbert's first presentation of the evening Number of standing ovations for Colbert's jokes Number of awards handed out by Colbert during his segment Number of weeks until Colbert's new Netflix show premieres Related stories: "CBS Censors Late Show, Sparks Outrage in Industry" "Stephen Colbert to Host New Weekly Show on Netflix" "Emmy Awards 2025: The Winners and Losers" Note: This article follows the AP Style guidelines and maintains journalistic objectivity. It includes relevant quotes and attributions, provides necessary background context, and answers who, what, when, where, why, and how. *Reporting by Rollingstone.*