Byron Allen Takes Over Stephen Colbert's CBS Slot

Stephen Colbert's "The Late Show" is concluding its run on CBS, with its final broadcast scheduled for Thursday, May 21. The following day, Friday, May 22, the 11:35 p.m. time slot will be filled by Byron Allen's "Comics Unleashed." Both television personalities have expressed mutual respect, with Colbert and Allen sharing a fondness for comedy and late-night television history.

Allen has been actively seeking the 11:35 p.m. timeslot for "Comics Unleashed," which has been in syndication for nearly two decades. CBS confirmed in April that Colbert's slot would be filled by Allen's comedy panel show, a decision driven by financial considerations. The network is leasing the timeslot to Allen, a business model that allows CBS to achieve immediate profitability in that slot due to Allen covering all production costs.