Desi Lydic Reacts to The Late Show Cancellation After Emmy Win: “We Aren’t Holding Back”

The late-night world has been rattled by the shocking announcement that CBS will end The Late Show With Stephen Colbert after its 2025–26 season. And now, one of late-night’s most recognizable rotating hosts, Desi Lydic of The Daily Show, is weighing in — fresh off her first Emmy win.

Emmy Win Meets Industry Shake-Up

On Saturday, September 6, Lydic accepted the Creative Arts Emmy Award for Performer in a Short Form Comedy category. But the celebration came against the backdrop of Colbert’s looming exit — a move that stunned fans and insiders alike, given the show’s dominance in the ratings and cultural influence.

When asked backstage how the cancellation affects Comedy Central’s Daily Show, Lydic didn’t mince words:

“We’re kind of finding things out like everyone else. But we have not been asked to change anything,” she told reporters. “We aren’t holding back, so we don’t intend to.”

Her comments underline a key difference: while CBS may be trimming back, The Daily Show has no plans to retreat.

A Future for Late-Night?

Lydic also addressed the bigger question on everyone’s mind — can late-night TV survive the next decade?

“I sure hope so,” she said. “I think that there is certainly a need for catharsis right now and for laughter. I know we all need it. I’m hopeful that that continues. I think the way that people are consuming it is evolving and as that happens, we try to evolve with it.”

Her words echoed the uncertainty now swirling across the industry. In July, CBS confirmed Colbert’s departure was tied to the Paramount Skydance merger, a corporate decision that abruptly redefined the future of its flagship late-night franchise.

Gratitude Amid Uncertainty

Despite the upheaval, Lydic reflected on her gratitude for being part of a show with staying power:

“We’re living in challenging times, that’s for sure. I feel so grateful that The Daily Show has been on for as long as it has — 26, roughly, years, I believe. I sure hope that we get to keep doing it because we love it. And I feel that the work is really important one way or another. And as long as we’re allowed to, we’ll just keep doing what we do.”

The Colbert Announcement

Her remarks come weeks after Colbert himself broke the news to his audience in a heartfelt video posted to Instagram:

“Before we start the show, I want to let you know something that I found out just last night. Next year will be our last season. The network will be ending The Late Show in May,” Colbert revealed, drawing boos from the live audience. “It’s not just the end of our show, but it’s the end of The Late Show on CBS. I’m not being replaced. This is all just going away.”

He added, “The folks at CBS have been great partners.”

The Broader Reaction

Since then, the news has sent shockwaves through Hollywood. Conan O’Brien warned that late-night itself may be on the verge of “disappearing.” Former Late Show bandleader Paul Shaffer called the cancellation “the end of an era.” Jimmy Kimmel and Jon Stewart both voiced support for Colbert while acknowledging the shifting sands of late-night.

But while industry veterans brace for change, Desi Lydic’s comments struck a more hopeful note: late-night isn’t gone yet. And as long as audiences still crave laughter — and hosts like Lydic continue showing up — the fight for the format’s survival is far from over.