Mr. Colbert didn’t wait long to acknowledge how much Mr. Trump was looming over the event.

But if we’re honest with ourselves, and as artists, I think we have to be honest with ourselves. We know that the biggest TV star of the last year is Donald Trump. Yeah. No, you may not like it but he’s the biggest star. You know, and Alec Baldwin, obviously, you know.

[APPLAUSE]

You guys are neck and neck. And Alec, you’re up against a lot of neck. And however you feel about the president, and you do feel about the president, you can’t deny that every show was influenced by Donald Trump in some way. All the late night shows, obviously.

“House Of Cards,” the new season of “American Horror Story,” and of course next year’s Latin Grammys hosted by Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Muy Caliente.

[LAUGHTER]

And we all know the Emmys mean a lot to Donald Trump. Because he was nominated multiple times for “Celebrity Apprentice” but he never won. Why didn’t you give him an Emmy? I tell you this. If he had won an Emmy, I bet he wouldn’t have run for president. So in a way this is all your fault.

I thought you people loved morally compromised antiheroes. You like Walter White. He’s just Walter Much Whiter. And he never forgave you and he never will. The president has complained repeatedly that the Emmys are rigged. He even went after the host a few years back tweeting, that “Seth Meyers is hosting the Emmy Awards is a total joke. He is very awkward with almost no talent. Marbles in his mouth.” Wow, marbles in his mouth. That’s harsh.

[LAUGHTER]

That’s quite an accusation, any response, Seth?

::CUTS TO SETH MEYERS IN THE AUDIENCE WITH MARBLES FALLING OUT OF HIS MOUTH::

[LAUGHTER]

And even during the campaign, Trump would not let it go. This actually happened. This exchange actually happened in the debate.

::CUTS TO VIDEO OF HILLARY CLINTON AND MR. TRUMP AT A PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE::

CLINTON: There was even a time when he didn’t get an Emmy for his TV program three years in a row and he started tweeting that the Emmys were rigged again.

TRUMP: Should have gotten it.

::END TAPE::

COLBERT: But he didn’t. Because unlike the presidency, Emmys go to the winner of the popular vote.

[LAUGHTER]

Where do I find the courage to tell that joke in this room?

Of course, what really matters to Donald Trump is ratings. You’ve got to have the big numbers. And I certainly hope we achieved that tonight. Unfortunately, at this point, we have no way of knowing how big our audience is. I mean is there anyone who can say how big the audience is? Sean, do you know?

::SEAN SPICER ROLLS OUT ON A PODIUM::

SEAN SPICER: This will be the largest audience to witness an Emmys, period. Both in person and around the world.

COLBERT: Wow, that really soothes my fragile ego. I can understand why you would want one of these guys around. Melissa McCarthy, everybody. Give it up!