Home / Arts and Entertainment / Comedian-Turned-Mogul Byron Allen Vies for CBS Late Night Slot
Comedian-Turned-Mogul Byron Allen Vies for CBS Late Night Slot
8 Oct
Summary
- Byron Allen pitching for 11:35 PM CBS late night slot after "The Late Show" ends
- Allen's "Comics Unleashed" show currently airs at 12:35 AM, a time buy he is "winning"
- Allen has been waiting 50 years for this late night opportunity
As of October 9th, 2025, comedian-turned-media mogul Byron Allen is making a strong push to land the coveted 11:35 PM late night slot on CBS after "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" concludes its run next May. Allen, who got his big break on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" back in 1979, currently airs his "Comics Unleashed" program at 12:35 AM on CBS as a time buy.
According to Allen, "Comics Unleashed" is already "winning the time period" despite the late hour, and he believes he can deliver strong ratings in the 11:35 PM slot. "If they're looking for a show, my hand is already up," he told moderator Bill Carter during a recent Advertising Week event in New York. "50 years, I've been waiting for this moment. Definitely, I'm going for it."
CBS has not yet revealed its plans for the late night landscape once Colbert departs, leaving the door open for Allen's potential takeover. The network could opt to return to drama reruns, expand local news, or potentially greenlight Allen's long-running comedy series for the prime 11:35 PM time period.
