ICE, Palestine, public media and Colbert’s ‘Late Show’ took center stage at Emmys

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The Emmy Awards weren’t just a celebration of great TV and dazzling fashion. The current political tensions and threats to arts and culture were also noticeable throughout the night, though some of those moments were censored for the broadcast.

Hannah Einbinder, accepting her award for supporting actress in a comedy series for “Hacks,” ended her speech with a strong statement against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), protesting the government’s increased efforts to detain and deport immigrants.

During her speech, Einbinder also spoke about Palestine and joined a group of actors and filmmakers wearing pins advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza. Fellow “Hacks” cast member Megan Stalter carried a bag adorned with a pin displaying the message “Cease Fire.”

After winning the Emmy for writing on a variety series, Daniel O’Brien, a senior writer for HBO’s “Last Week Tonight With John Oliver,” joked that he and his team were glad to be recognized alongside other late-night comedy writers “while that kind of show is still around.”

During last week’s Creative Arts Emmys, Television Academy President Cris Abrego honored the Corporation for Public Broadcasting with the Governors Award. He mentioned that Congress had cut off federal funding for CPB, potentially forcing it to close down, which drew a negative reaction – a loud “boo” – from the audience.

CPB has long been essential to public media in America, bringing us beloved programs like ‘Sesame Street,’ ‘Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood,’ and ‘Finding Your Roots.’ For many small towns, these stations weren’t just a source of culture and entertainment, they also provided a crucial emergency alert system that families relied on.

You know, as a total movie and TV fanatic, I really believe that even when things feel super divided in the world, stories still have this amazing ability to bring people together. It’s not just about reflecting what’s happening around us; the shows and films we love actually *create* our culture. And when things seem to be going backwards, the best storytelling reminds us what we’re fighting for, what really matters.

Television

Despite recently announcing its closure due to losing federal funding, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting was honored with the 2025 Governors Award at a previous event.

Before announcing the talk show winner, Bryan Cranston addressed the recent decision by West Point to rescind the Sylvanus Thayer Award from Tom Hanks, who has often criticized President Trump. While officials didn’t explain the cancellation, many observers believed it was due to political reasons.

Cranston explained that a great talk show features smart discussions with diverse guests, ranging from figures like the insightful Neil deGrasse Tyson to someone like Tom Hanks, whom he described with provocative terms.

Stephen Colbert’s “Late Night” show on CBS will finish its run next year at the end of the current season. While CBS cites financial reasons for the cancellation, many believe Colbert’s frequent and critical commentary on Donald Trump also played a role in the decision.

In his acceptance speech, Stephen Colbert explained that his show began with a focus on love, but ultimately became about dealing with loss. He shared a poignant thought: “You often don’t realize how much you care about something until you’re afraid of losing it.”

He also said he hoped the show’s end would not bring an end to the late-night talk show tradition.

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2025-09-15 08:01