Why did the Emmys start with Stephen Colbert presenting the first award? Producers reveal the answers

The 2025 Emmys opened in an unexpected way. No long monologue, no extended routine to set the tone. Instead, the first image was Stephen Colbert walking out to hand over the very first award of the night. It felt like a break from the usual rhythm, and the reaction was immediate. The audience inside the theater stood up, clapping, cheering, turning those first minutes into something louder than planned.

The choice created conversation straight away. Clips spread online even before the ceremony ended. Starting the night with Colbert looked less like a simple scheduling decision and more like a statement. It gave weight to the opening, and it reflected the attention already surrounding Colbert and his late-night show in 2025.

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Why Colbert was the one

The producers explained the decision later. In a Q&A with Deadline, Jesse Collins put it clearly:

“We felt like it was a moment for him to walk out on that stage. We were just glad he was willing to do it … we wanted to give Colbert an award [to present] with some weight to it.”

That comment made it clear the choice was intentional. They wanted Colbert right at the start, not hidden further down the order. It was both symbolic and calculated, designed to set a particular mood.

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Rearranging the order

The same producers admitted that the categories were reshuffled. The award for Outstanding Drama Actor, for instance, was kept until later. Collins described it as playing with the order, noting that the category was highly competitive. That move, combined with Colbert’s appearance at the very beginning, pointed to a strategy. It was less about routine and more about keeping tension alive.

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Colbert’s moment in context

It stood out even more because of what was happening with Colbert away from the Emmys. In July, CBS announced The Late Show would end in May 2026. For a show that still felt central in late-night, the news landed like a shock. And when you put that side by side with the Emmys, giving him the first minutes on stage suddenly meant more. It looked almost like a quiet recognition of everything he had built, but also a signal that the end was getting close. On stage he played with it. He smiled, joked about résumés and headshots, and pretended to be ready for a new job. It was light, it was funny, and it carried that extra layer all the same.

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The room’s reaction

The response was instant. People rose to their feet, chanting his name, clapping until the moment stretched far beyond the usual. Reports later described the sound as one of the loudest ovations of the night. On social media, the clips repeated endlessly, showing Colbert smiling while the audience refused to sit down. The producers had wanted to create a strong start, and they got it.

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The tone it created

That opening helped set the tone for everything that followed. Colbert’s humor, mixed with the knowledge that his show was nearing its end, turned a routine task into something layered. It was just an award presentation, but the context gave it weight. Those few minutes became a reference point for how the rest of the ceremony was remembered.

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Other highlights of the Emmys ceremony

The 2025 Emmys also had its share of reunions. Casts from Gilmore Girls, Everybody Loves Raymond, The Good Place, and The Golden Girls appeared on stage. The latter was given priority because the show marked its 40th anniversary on the very same date. The winners’ list added to the night’s impact: The Pitt took home Outstanding Drama Series, The Studio won Outstanding Comedy Series, and Noah Wyle earned the award for Outstanding Drama Actor after a tight race.

And Colbert returned to the spotlight once more. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert won Outstanding Talk Series for the first time. It was a historic win for the program, arriving only months before its final season. Colbert accepted the award to heavy applause and cheers, thanking the roughly 200 people behind the scenes. He reflected on the meaning of his work, saying:

“Sometimes you only truly know how much you love something when you get a sense that you might be losing it. … I have never loved my country more desperately. God bless America.”

He then added a line paraphrasing Prince:

“Stay strong and be brave, and if the elevator tries to bring you down, go crazy and punch a higher floor.”

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Looking forward

When asked about the future, the producers told Deadline that planning for the next Emmys would begin in the spring of 2026. No details were offered beyond that. What seems clear, though, is that the use of Colbert at the opening will remain a reference. It showed how symbolic choices can define the memory of a live event.

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Closing reflection

The beginning of the 2025 Emmys proved how one decision can reshape an entire night. Having Stephen Colbert present the first award was not a minor change in format. It was a deliberate moment that combined recognition, timing, and drama. Later, with his win for Outstanding Talk Series, the evening became tied to his name in more than one way. For viewers, the image of Colbert stepping out at the start, and then returning to accept a trophy, became the frame through which the ceremony will be remembered.