Stephen Colbert receives anti-censorship award after 11-year 'Late Show' run

Stephen Colbert continues to receive industry recognition following the conclusion of his 11-year tenure on The Late Show. The Before Columbus Foundation recently named the comedian as a recipient of an American Book Award for his stance against censorship. Colbert will formally accept this honor on September 26 at a ceremony held on the University of California, Berkeley campus.

The award selection committee consists of writers who evaluate literary achievements across the American landscape. Mitchell Kaplan, the founder of the independent bookstore Books & Books, will receive the honor alongside Colbert. This recognition arrives shortly before the 2026 Emmy Awards, where The Late Show remains a contender with nine nominations.

Colbert’s recent history is marked by significant friction with federal regulators. Earlier this year, he challenged the Federal Communications Commission regarding the equal-time rule. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr issued guidance that ended the historical exemption for talk shows, which led to the removal of a scheduled interview with Representative James Talarico from the CBS broadcast. Colbert publicly opposed the move, citing partisan motivations within the commission.

Since his final episode aired in May 2026, Colbert has maintained a limited public profile. He appeared on a Michigan public access program and attended the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. He also participated in a tribute event for his wife, Evelyn McGee Colbert, at Montclair Film. Despite the conclusion of his late-night career, Colbert continues to work on creative projects, including a film set within the Lord of the Rings franchise written with his son.