Stephen Colbert Comes Out of Hiding in New Zealand to Endorse Jimmy Kimmel for an Emmy

Stephen Colbert has been off the radar since The Late Show wrapped, retreating to New Zealand in true“end of the world”fashion. But he just resurfaced with a mission. In a new Instagram video, Colbert is endorsing Jimmy Kimmel for the Emmy for Outstanding Variety Series, and he’s making it very clear that time is running out.“There are 24 hours left in Emmy voting,”he says, before dropping his main argument:“I don’t care if you’ve never even seen his show. You know he deserves an Emmy. Besides, look how cute he is!”

This isn’t just a random act of kindness. Kimmel backed Colbert’s show last year when it was up for the same award. So this is a friendly favor, returned. But there’s more going on here. ABC briefly pulled Kimmel off the air last September after the FCC threatened the network over Kimmel’s criticism of the Trump administration. He returned days later, but the tension hasn’t gone away. Colbert’s public endorsement is a show of solidarity between two hosts who are navigating serious political pressure.

Here’s the twist that makes this even better: this year’s Emmy category is an area award, which means multiple nominees can actually win. And with Kimmel’s show currently leading late-night viewership, Colbert’s shoutout might genuinely help push him over the line. Colbert even offered to guest host Kimmel’s show. So what do you think: should comedians be able to joke about politicians without networks getting threatened, or is this just part of the game? Drop your take below.