Full Breakdown
Byron Allen’s “Comics Unleashed” Takes Over CBS Late-Night Slot After Stephen Colbert’s Finale
5/25/2026, 8:19:45 PM
CBS Late-Night Slot Shifts to Byron Allen’s “Comics Unleashed”
CBS will air “Comics Unleashed” at 11:35 p.m. after “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” ends. The change follows the final episode in April 2026. The series, launched in 2006, will be broadcast under a time-buy deal in which Allen Media Group purchases airtime and sells advertising.
Background: Cancellation of the Late Show and Corporate Context
CBS cancelled the “Late Show” franchise in July 2026, days after host Stephen Colbert criticized Paramount for a $16 million payment to former President Donald Trump to settle a dispute over a “60 Minutes” interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris. “Comics Unleashed” returned to CBS in 2025 under a similar time-buy deal and features a rotating panel of comedians discussing current events.
Key Figures
Byron Allen, 65, is a comedian, media executive and founder of Allen Media Group, creator of “Comics Unleashed.” Stephen Colbert hosted “The Late Show” for eleven years, known for political satire and described by Allen as “an American treasure.”
Viewership Data
The final “Late Show” episode drew 6.74 million viewers, the highest weekly audience in its eleven-year run. The season averaged 2.7 million viewers per episode. “Comics Unleashed” has sustained a consistent audience over its twenty-year history, though ratings for the new slot are not yet released.
Official Statements and Network Response
Allen told NPR he is “not trying to replace Colbert” and said CBS and Paramount have not imposed editorial limits. He noted he “has absolutely not had any conversations … about what to say or not to say,” and that the network “has barely given notes” and gave “no feedback about don’t be political.” He called Colbert “an American treasure” and recalled a meal where they “talked, laughed, cried” and discussed comedy and Johnny Carson.
Criticism & Opposition
Stephen Colbert publicly criticized Paramount for a $16 million payment to former President Donald Trump to settle a dispute over a “60 Minutes” interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris, raising concerns about corporate influence on news coverage.
Verbatim Quotes
- “At the end of the day, I’m not trying to replace Colbert,” — Byron Allen, Founder, Allen Media Group
- “I have absolutely not had any conversations with anybody at CBS or Paramount about what to say or not to say,” — Byron Allen
- “When we’ve sent the episodes over, they have barely given notes,” — Byron Allen
- “We talked. We laughed. We cried. We shared our ups, our downs, our pain, our love of talk shows, our love of comedy, our love of comedians, and our love of Johnny Carson,” — Byron Allen
What’s Next for CBS Late Night
“Comics Unleashed” will premiere in the 11:35 p.m. slot on Friday, with Allen Media Group handling all advertising sales. The arrangement makes the series CBS’s primary late-night offering while the network evaluates future programming for the time period.
