The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is gearing up for its Emmy campaign, but the question on everyone's mind is: where's the love for Jimmy Kimmel? Last year, after CBS canceled Colbert's show, Kimmel showed his support by putting up a billboard saying, "I'm voting for Stephen." Now, 12 months later, with Kimmel having his own challenges, including being taken off the air by ABC, the question remains: will Colbert return the favor? CBS has released a FYC (For Your Consideration) video on Colbert's YouTube channel, featuring clips of Colbert with fellow late-night hosts and Emmy rivals, including Kimmel, John Oliver, Jon Stewart, David Letterman, Seth Meyers, Jimmy Fallon, and Andy Cohen. The video makes it clear that CBS is pushing for another Emmy in the Outstanding Variety Series category. The Late Show is competing against Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Daily Show, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, and Saturday Night Live in the main late-night category, after the Outstanding Talk Series and Outstanding Scripted Variety Series categories were merged. There's also the possibility that more than one of these shows can win in the category due to the new rules. The canceled CBS talk show received nine Emmy nominations this year, including for writing, directing, music direction, picture editing, sound mixing, lighting design, camerawork, and production design. The FYC video highlights Colbert's final run of shows with a star-studded lineup. He jokes with William Shatner, is serenaded by Bette Midler, reenacts Drew Barrymore's famous spot on Letterman's desk, cuddles puppies with Jennifer Aniston, drinks with Billy Crystal, seeks therapy with Oprah Winfrey, throws furniture off the roof with Letterman, discusses running for President with President Obama, celebrates Christmas with Prince Harry, and dances with Paul McCartney. Personally, I think it's fascinating that CBS is using this video to promote Colbert's show, especially given the circumstances. What makes this particularly intriguing is the contrast between Colbert's show and Kimmel's. While Colbert has been on a steady decline, Kimmel has faced his own challenges, including a brief hiatus from the airwaves. It's interesting to see CBS focusing on Colbert's show, especially since it was canceled just a year ago. One thing that immediately stands out is the star power in the FYC video. It's a clever move by CBS to showcase Colbert's connections and appeal to the Emmy voters. However, what many people don't realize is that this video also serves as a subtle reminder of the differences between Colbert and Kimmel. While Colbert has a loyal following, Kimmel has a more diverse audience and a stronger connection to the general public. This raises a deeper question: is CBS trying to make up for its decision to cancel Colbert's show by promoting it aggressively? From my perspective, the FYC video is a strategic move by CBS to boost Colbert's chances of winning an Emmy. It's a calculated effort to showcase Colbert's talent and connections, while also highlighting the show's strengths and appeal to voters. However, what this really suggests is that CBS is still invested in the late-night landscape and is willing to support its own, even if it means promoting a show that was canceled just a year ago. In my opinion, this is a smart move by CBS, as it allows them to maintain their presence in the late-night arena and potentially gain some goodwill with voters. It's also a reminder that the late-night landscape is still competitive and that shows need to work hard to stand out. Looking ahead, I predict that the Emmy race will be tight, with multiple shows in the running for the Outstanding Variety Series category. The new rules allowing for multiple winners could shake things up, and it will be interesting to see how the voters respond. In the end, the Emmy awards are a celebration of the best in television, and it's exciting to see the late-night shows compete for recognition. Personally, I can't wait to see who takes home the statue this year, and I'm curious to see if Colbert's show can make a comeback and win over the voters.
