CBS to replace Colbert’s 'Late Show' with 'Comics Unleashed'
Stephen Colbert speaks during the 2026 Writers Guild Awards New York Ceremony at Edison Ballroom on March 08, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Writers Guild of America East)
NEW YORK - CBS will replace "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" with Byron Allen’s "Comics Unleashed" in May 2026, a major shift in late-night programming after the network’s decision to cancel Colbert’s long-running show.
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CBS said in July it would cancel "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," with the program set to end in May 2026 after more than a decade on the air.
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Some critics have accused CBS and its parent company, Paramount, of dropping the show to appease President Donald Trump and help secure approval for a planned merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, "The network will air Comics Unleashed With Byron Allen at 11:35 p.m. beginning May 22, followed by another Allen-produced series, the comedy game show Funny You Should Ask, at 12:35 a.m. The Late Show will sign off on May 21."
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The same outlet also noted that "Comics Unleashed has been airing in the later spot this season and also aired there during the 2023 writers and actors strikes."
"Comics Unleashed," hosted by Allen, is described by IMDb as "Byron Allen and four of the most talented comedians take center stage to share stories, tell jokes, and bring the biggest laughter to television. It's entertaining. It's unpredictable. It's undeniably hilarious. It's Comics Unleashed."
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The other side:
Byron Allen onstage during "The Builder’s Corner" panel at day 2 of the 2025 HOPE Global Forum at Signia by Hilton Atlanta on December 02, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
"I created and launched Comics Unleashed 20 years ago so my fellow comedians could have a platform to do what we all love — ," Allen, founder, chairman and CEO of Allen Media Group, said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. "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."
The Source: FOX News contributed to this report. The information in this story is based on CBS’ public announcement about canceling "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," reporting from The Hollywood Reporter on the new late-night lineup and scheduling, and public statements from Byron Allen about his show. This story was reported from Los Angeles.