Trending Now - CBS Unveils New Host for Late-night Show Post-colbert

WHO:

Variety - Stephen Colbert will co-write a new "Lord of the Rings" movie titled "Shadow of the Past" after "The Late Show" concludes.

CNN - Byron Allen expressed his interest in Colbert’s time slot, stating, “If they’re looking for a show, my hand is already up,” during New York Ad Week in October 2025.

CNN - Byron Allen, comedian and founder and chief executive of Allen Media Group, expressed appreciation for CBS' confidence in him regarding the new programming.

CNN - CBS, Byron Allen, Stephen Colbert, Jon Kelley, Allen Media Group

NY Post - CBS, Stephen Colbert

Coming Soon - CBS, Stephen Colbert

Screen Rant - CBS, Stephen Colbert

WHAT:

CNN - Allen stated, “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.”

CNN - CBS will replace "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" with "Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen" starting on May 22, 2026.

CNN - "Comics Unleashed" will air two back-to-back episodes each night at 11:35 p.m.

CNN - The 12:35 a.m. slot will be filled by "Funny You Should Ask," a game show created by Allen and hosted by Jon Kelley.

Coming Soon - "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" was canceled on July 17, 2025, after eleven seasons.

WHERE:

CNN - CBS network

WHEN:

Variety - Colbert's "The Late Show" will end on May 21, 2026, and he will begin working on the new movie thereafter.

CNN - CBS will begin airing "Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen" on May 22, 2026, the day after the final episode of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," which will air on May 21, 2026.

CNN - CBS will begin airing "Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen" on May 22, 2026, the day after the final episode of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert."

CNN - The final episode of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" will air on May 21, 2026.

CNN - "Comics Unleashed" has been airing at 12:35 a.m. since September 2025.

WHY:

Variety - Colbert stated that his career pivot to writing reflects his desire to "just do something you love."

CNN - CBS cited financial pressures of late-night television as a reason for ending Colbert's show, calling the decision "agonizing."

CNN - Observers speculated that the cancellation was political due to Colbert's criticism of Trump, coinciding with CBS seeking approval from the Trump administration for a sale to Skydance.

CNN - CBS settled a Trump defamation lawsuit deemed frivolous by legal observers prior to the cancellation.

HOW:

CNN - CBS has a time-buy agreement with Allen Media Group for the 2026-27 season, allowing Allen to pay to air his programs on CBS.

(UPDATED April 7, 2026 03:50 UTC)

Stephen Colbert is set to co-write a new "Lord of the Rings" movie titled "Shadow of the Past" after he wraps up "The Late Show" May 21st. Colbert expressed that this shift in his career to writing is driven by his desire to "just do something you love." Fans can look forward to this exciting project as he transitions from late-night television to the world of Middle-earth.

(UPDATED April 7, 2026 01:20 UTC)

CBS has announced that "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" will air its final episode May 21st, due to financial pressures in late-night television, a decision the network described as "agonizing." Following Colbert's departure, CBS will premiere "Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen" May 22nd, after Allen expressed his interest in the time slot during New York Ad Week in October 20th25, saying, “If they’re looking for a show, my hand is already up.” This transition marks a significant change in the late-night landscape as networks adapt to evolving viewer habits and economic realities.

(UPDATED April 6, 2026 23:06 UTC)

Byron Allen, the comedian and founder of Allen Media Group, expressed his gratitude for CBS' confidence in him regarding the new programming. He stated, “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.” CBS will start airing "Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen" May 22nd, following the final episode of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," under a time-buy agreement for the 2026-27 season.

(UPDATED April 6, 2026 21:06 UTC)

CBS will replace "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" with "Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen," starting May 22nd, following the final episode of Colbert's show May 21st. The new program will feature two back-to-back episodes each night at 11:35 p.m., while the 12:35 a.m. slot will be taken over by "Funny You Should Ask," a game show created by Allen and hosted by Jon Kelley. CBS cited financial pressures in late-night television as a reason for the change, and the decision comes after the network settled a defamation lawsuit involving Trump, which some observers speculated may have influenced the cancellation.