CBS has officially detailed how it will replace Stephen Colbert in its late-night schedule, marking the finish of an era for one of television’s most storied franchises. The network announced Monday that Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen will take over the 11:35 p.m. Slot starting May 22, immediately following the final episode of the Emmy-winning Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
The transition signals a pivot for the network, moving away from the traditional monologue-and-guest format of the Late Show toward a broader comedy block. Byron Allen, the media mogul and founder of Allen Media Group, will spearhead the latest programming. Comics Unleashed, a roundtable comedy talk show, has a long history, having first premiered in September 2006. It has more recently occupied the 12:35 a.m. Hour following the conclusion of Taylor Tomlinson’s After Midnight last June.
Under an expanded time buy agreement for the 2026-2027 season, the network will air two half-hour episodes of Comics Unleashed back-to-back from Monday to Friday. This strategic shift not only fills the void left by Colbert but reshapes the entire late-night window for CBS, effectively creating a comedy-centric block that leverages Allen’s existing portfolio of talent.
The New Late-Night Architecture
The restructuring of the schedule extends beyond the 11:35 p.m. Anchor spot. As part of the new arrangement, the 12:35 a.m. Slot will be filled by Funny Consider Ask, a comedy game show hosted by Jon Kelley that has been in production since 2017. By pairing the roundtable discussions of Comics Unleashed with the competitive format of Funny You Should Ask, CBS is betting on a variety-style approach to capture a shifting late-night audience.
Comics Unleashed features a rotating cast of high-profile comedians, including Nate Bargatze, Sebastian Maniscalco, Tiffany Haddish, Gabriel Iglesias, and Cedric the Entertainer. The show aims to provide a platform for comedians to engage in the kind of organic, conversational humor that has historically driven stand-up success.
“I created and launched Comics Unleashed 20 years ago so my fellow comedians could have a platform to do what we all love – make people laugh,” Allen said in a statement. “I truly appreciate CBS’ confidence in me by picking up our two-hour comedy block of Comics Unleashed and Funny You Should Ask, because the world can never have enough laughter.”
The ‘Agonizing’ Decision to End The Late Show
The arrival of Byron Allen’s programming follows the surprising cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in July. At the time, CBS executives described the move as an “agonizing” decision, though they maintained that the cancellation was not a reflection of the show’s creative output or its performance in the ratings.
In a statement released last summer, executives clarified the reasoning: “This is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night. We see not related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.”
Despite the official financial explanation, the move sparked significant industry speculation. Observers have pointed to the political climate and corporate interests, specifically the $8 billion sale of Paramount (CBS’s parent company) to Skydance. Because the sale required approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which is under presidential oversight, some analysts questioned if the removal of Colbert—a fierce and frequent critic of Donald Trump—was a strategic move to avoid friction with the administration.
Colbert’s tenure was marked by high-stakes political satire, including recent segments targeting the President’s firing of U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. His departure marks the end of a lineage that began with David Letterman, who hosted the franchise for decades before handing the reins to Colbert in 2015.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| July 2025 | CBS announces the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert |
| May 21, 2026 | The Late Show airs its final episode after 33 years of the franchise |
| May 22, 2026 | Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen debuts in the 11:35 p.m. Slot |
| 2026-2027 Season | Expanded time buy includes Funny You Should Ask at 12:35 a.m. |
The Legacy of a Late-Night Titan
The conclusion of The Late Show on May 21 represents more than just a schedule change. it is the retirement of a brand. CBS has indicated that it has no intention of finding another host to lead the franchise, effectively closing the book on the Late Show name.
“We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire The Late Show franchise at that time,” executives stated in their joint announcement last July. “We are proud that Stephen called CBS home. He and the broadcast will be remembered in the pantheon of greats that graced late night television.”
For the industry, the shift to a “time buy” agreement with Byron Allen suggests a new economic model for network television. Rather than producing a high-overhead, daily topical show in-house, CBS is leveraging external media partnerships to fill its schedule, reducing financial risk while maintaining a presence in the comedy space.
The network’s next major checkpoint will be the final broadcast of Colbert’s tenure on May 21, followed by the immediate launch of the Allen Media Group block. Details regarding the specific guest lineups for the first week of Comics Unleashed are expected to be released closer to the premiere date.
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