CBS announced it will replace The Late Show with Stephen Colbert with Byron Allen's Comics Unleashed, starting on May 22. The network is selling its late-night time slot to Allen under a time-buy agreement, which includes airing two back-to-back half-hour episodes of 'Comics Unleashed' nightly at 11:35 p.m. ET and the comedy game show Funny You Should Ask at 12:37 a.m., as reported by Reuters.
Key Takeaways
CBS will replace 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' with Byron Allen's 'Comics Unleashed' starting May 22. The network is selling its late-night time slot to Allen under a time-buy agreement. Colbert's show, known for its political satire, ends on May 21 after an 11-year run.
- CBS sells late-night slot to Byron Allen
- 'Comics Unleashed' and 'Funny You Should Ask' to air nightly starting May 22
- Colbert's show ends May 21 after 11 years
- Deal expected to make CBS profitable in late night
The agreement, which runs through the 2026-2027 TV season, is expected to make CBS profitable in late night. Colbert's show will end its 11-year run on May 21, according to multiple sources. The decision comes after CBS canceled 'The Late Show' last July, citing high costs and declining ratings.
Allen expressed gratitude for the opportunity, stating that he appreciates CBS' confidence in his two-hour comedy block. He emphasized the importance of laughter during these challenging times. Colbert's show, known for its political satire aimed at President Donald Trump, will conclude after a decade on air.
The move to Allen's shows is seen as a cost-saving measure for CBS. Allen pays for the hours and covers production costs, allowing his company to sell most of the commercial units. This arrangement is significantly less expensive than producing traditional late-night talk shows with high-priced hosts and live bands, per the Los Angeles Times.
CBS's decision to replace Colbert's show has sparked speculation about political motivations. Some liberal critics have accused CBS and Paramount of ending the show to appease President Trump in anticipation of a merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media. However, CBS executives maintain that the cancellation was based on economic factors.
Allen's shows are designed to be evergreen with minimal topical humor, allowing for repeated airings. 'Comics Unleashed' has been airing in the later time slot since last June when 'After Midnight With Taylor Tomlinson' ended its CBS run. The show features Allen and four comedians sharing stand-up routines, providing significant exposure for up-and-coming comics.
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