CBS to Air Byron Allen Shows After Late Show Ends

CBS announced on Monday that it will replace The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in its late-night lineup with programming from comedian and media executive Byron Allen, starting the day after the show's finale.

Beginning May 22, 2026, the network will air two back-to-back episodes of Comics Unleashed, a half-hour comedy series hosted by Allen, in the 11:35 p.m. Eastern time slot. The 12:35 a.m. slot will feature Funny You Should Ask, a syndicated game show also produced by Allen and hosted by Jon Kelley. Both programs come from Allen Media Group under a time-buy agreement for the 2026-27 television season, in which Allen's company pays CBS to broadcast the shows and handles most production and advertising sales.

Comics Unleashed, which features Allen interviewing stand-up comedians who perform routines, has aired in the 12:35 a.m. slot since September 2025, following the end of the game show After Midnight. The series originally ran in syndication from 2006 to 2016 and resumed new episodes for the 2025-26 season. Funny You Should Ask, a quiz format involving comedians, has been in syndication since 2017. Under the arrangement, CBS avoids the high costs of traditional late-night...