Stephen Colbert’s Time Slot Replacement Byron Allen Insists There Will Be ‘No Politics’ on His Late-Night Show

In a significant programming shift, CBS has announced that it will replace “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” with Byron Allen’s comedic talk show, “Comics Unleashed”, starting on May 22. CBS confirmed the sale of Colbert’s weeknight time slot, which runs from 11:35 PM to 12:37 AM, to Allen’s long-running show, which has been on air since September 2006.

Byron Allen, who is set to take over the coveted time slot, recently discussed the impending transition on CBS Mornings, emphasizing that “Comics Unleashed” will steer clear of political commentary. “No. No politics,” the 65-year-old television host stated unequivocally during his interview. He reiterated the aim of his show, which celebrates comedy without the complexity of political discourse. “You come, you laugh,” he explained, recalling the origins of the show created 20 years ago.

The impending switch follows Colbert’s last episode on Thursday, May 21, ahead of Allen’s show commencing the next day. During his CBS appearance, Allen mentioned the legacy of “Comics Unleashed,” which has featured thousands of comedians across various styles and backgrounds, and he intends to continue fostering unity through laughter.

CBS had confirmed the sale in April, leading to the decision to air back-to-back episodes of “Comics Unleashed” followed by “Funny You Should Ask,” hosted by Jon Kelley, in the subsequent time slot from 12:37 AM to 1:37 AM. This restructuring follows CBS’s strategic move amidst financial pressures affecting the network’s late-night programming.

Throughout his conversation on CBS Mornings, Allen also reflected on the circumstances surrounding Colbert’s cancellation. He praised Colbert’s work, expressing his admiration, while highlighting the financial challenges that led to the network’s decision. “It was a very unfortunate event,” he remarked. “I said, ‘This isn’t show business, this is business show.’ They said, ‘We’re losing lots of money,’ and I offered a solution that could help retain the audience while alleviating financial constraints.”

The decision to discontinue Colbert’s show was framed by CBS as a “purely financial decision” within the context of ongoing economic difficulties in the television industry. However, the timing of the cancellation drew scrutiny, especially considering Colbert’s criticism of CBS’s parent company, Paramount, shortly before the announcement.

Allen further elaborated on how networks are navigating contemporary economic pressures, receiving financial backing from CBS for his new show as a way to cut costs. He noted that by replacing Colbert, CBS would save a significant amount of money, potentially in the range of $150 to $170 million.

Former CBS late-night host David Letterman also weighed in on the changes. He expressed skepticism about the network’s motivations, suggesting that CBS aimed to profit from the new arrangement while keeping production costs low. Letterman reflected on how Allen would handle advertising and create a platform for comedians within the new format that blends panel discussions with comedic performances.

As the final episode of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” approaches, the landscape of late-night entertainment is set to transform. With Byron Allen at the helm of “Comics Unleashed”, the show will prioritise humour over political discourse, setting a different tone for viewers in the late-night slot.

As audiences prepare for this significant shift, both Allen and CBS are hopeful that the transition will be met with enthusiasm, maintaining a connection to the comedic spirit that has defined “Comics Unleashed” for two decades, while also attracting new audiences during the late-night viewing hours. The comedy world is undoubtedly watching closely as Allen embarks on this new chapter.