*CBS has announced that Byron Allen’s comedy programming will fill the late-night slot left vacant by Stephen Colbert, starting May 22 — the day after Colbert airs his final “Late Show.”
According to CNN, the network will air two consecutive half-hour episodes of “Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen” at 11:35 p.m., followed by Allen’s syndicated game show “Funny You Should Ask” at 12:35 a.m. Colbert’s “Late Show” concludes on May 21, with CBS citing the financial realities of late-night television as the reason for the change.
The move sparked speculation that politics may have played a role, given Colbert’s frequent criticism of President Donald Trump. Questions intensified because CBS’ parent company, Paramount, was seeking Trump administration approval for a proposed Skydance merger at the time the cancellation was announced. Public skepticism grew further after CBS settled a Trump defamation case.
Allen Media Group, where Byron Allen serves as founder and CEO, will operate under a time-buy agreement for the 2026–27 season, paying CBS to air its programming in the network’s late-night lineup. “Comics Unleashed” is not new to CBS late night, having occupied the 12:35 a.m. slot since September of last year.
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Expressing his excitement for the expanded platform, Allen said, “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.”
Back in October, Allen made his ambitions clear at New York Ad Week, saying, “Let me be clear … if they are looking for a show, my hand is already up,” he declared, noting his lifelong ambition to host “The Tonight Show.” Per THR, Allen added, “Fifty years I have been waiting for this moment, definitely I am going for it.”
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: Byron Allen Eyes CBS Late-Night Slot After Colbert Exit
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