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CBS announces replacement for Colbert’s late-night time slot hours after Stephen Colbert’s final episode nears. Byron Allen‘s Comics Unleashed officially takes over May 22. The bold shift marks a major transition for CBS late night.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Premiere Date: May 22, 2026, the day after Colbert’s final episode on May 21
- New Host: Byron Allen, media mogul and comedian with 50 years in entertainment
- Programming Block: Two back-to-back episodes of Comics Unleashed at 11:35 p.m. ET, then Funny You Should Ask at 12:35 a.m.
- Deal Structure: Time buy agreement through the 2026-2027 TV season with Allen Media Group
Byron Allen’s Big Late Night Break After 50 Years
Byron Allen has been waiting for this moment his entire career. The comedian-turned-media-mogul started performing at just 14 years old at the Comedy Store. By age 18, he became the youngest comedian ever to perform on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Now, at 50 years in the business, Allen finally secures his own late-night throne on a major network.
Allen founded Allen Media Group, which owns The Weather Channel, produces court shows, and controls multiple entertainment properties. In March 2026, he acquired an 11 percent stake in Starz for $25 million, cementing his power as a serious media player, not just a comedian.
CBS announces replacement for Colbert’s late-night time slot: Byron Allen’s Comics Unleashed
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How Comics Unleashed Moves Into Colbert’s Time Slot
Comics Unleashed originally aired as a syndicated series from 2006 to 2016, producing 233 episodes before ceasing production. Allen launched the show 20 years ago to give comedians a platform. The series returned to new episodes for 2025-2026 on CBS and has been airing at 12:35 a.m. since September 2025.
Under the new arrangement, CBS will air two back-to-back episodes each night starting at the prime 11:35 p.m. slot. Because Comics Unleashed is a half-hour program, this format works perfectly. The companion show Funny You Should Ask, a comedy game show hosted by Jon Kelley, fills the 12:35 a.m. hour. Both programs are produced by Allen’s company.
What Changes for CBS Late Night Viewers
| Detail | Information |
| Final Colbert Episode | Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 11:35 p.m. ET |
| Comics Unleashed Premiere | Friday, May 22, 2026 at 11:35 p.m. ET |
| Program Format | 30-minute comedy talk show, two episodes nightly |
| Companion Show | Funny You Should Ask at 12:35 a.m. ET |
The shift transforms CBS from producing its own expensive late-night talk show to earning revenue from the time slot. In a time buy agreement, Allen Media Group pays CBS for the airtime and then sells the advertising inventory itself. Network insiders note this makes CBS profitable in late night for the first time.
“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. I truly appreciate CBS’ confidence in me by picking up our two-hour comedy block because the world can never have enough laughter.”
— Byron Allen, Founder and CEO of Allen Media Group
Allen’s Campaign to Land CBS Late Night Gold
Allen had been pushing hard for this opportunity since CBS announced Colbert’s cancellation in July 2025. At New York Advertising Week in October 2025, Allen made his ambitions crystal clear. He stated boldly, “If they’re looking for a show, my hand is already up. Fifty years, I’ve been waiting for this moment. I’m investing millions and millions of dollars to prove myself.”
His persistence and investment paid off. Allen’s previous success with Comics Unleashed at 12:35 a.m. proved the show could perform in late night. Networks take notice when executives back their properties with serious money. Allen’s confidence, combined with CBS needing a cost-effective solution, made the deal inevitable.
Is This Late Night Win Good News for Comedy Fans?
The programming change raises important questions about late-night television’s future. CBS exits the expensive talk show business entirely, surrendering The Late Show slot it held since David Letterman’s 1993 debut. Comics Unleashed offers comedy curated by comedians, focusing on featured performers over interviews. This creates a fundamentally different viewing experience than Colbert’s satirical talk format. Will CBS viewers adapt to shorter comedy segments instead of topical monologues and celebrity chats? Only ratings will tell.
