Byron Allen Takes Over Colbert’s CBS Slot—Is Late Night Forever Changed

In a move that has the TV industry clutching its collective pearls, CBS is officially hanging up the suit and tie on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Starting May 22, 2026, the 11:35 p.m. slot, a piece of real estate once occupied by the likes of David Letterman, will belong to Byron Allen. His comedy roundtable, Comics Unleashed, is moving up from the graveyard shift to become the new face of CBS late night.

CBS executives aren't even bothering to find a new host to fill Colbert’s desk. Instead, they are retiring the "Late Show" brand entirely, claiming the host is "irreplaceable." It’s a sweet sentiment, though one that smells remarkably like a corporate budget cut wrapped in a "thank you" card.

The New Lineup: Comics and Games

The transition sees Allen Media Group leasing the time block in what is known as a "time buy." Here is how your insomnia-fueled viewing schedule is about to look:

• 11:35 p.m.: Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen (Back-to-back episodes)

• 12:35 a.m.: Funny You Should Ask (The Jon Kelley-hosted game show)

Byron Allen is effectively the landlord of CBS after hours now. For viewers, this means trading Colbert’s political monologues and high-profile celebrity interviews for a revolving door of stand-up comedians and rapid-fire punchlines. It’s a lower-stakes environment that feels more like a 1990s comedy club than a prestige broadcast.

Whether Comics Unleashed can capture the cultural zeitgeist the way a traditional talk show does remains to be seen. It’s a gamble that favors "good enough" over "prestige." If you’re a fan of the classic late-night format, this feels like the end of an era. If you just want a few laughs before passing out, Byron Allen is ready to provide the background noise.

What do you think of this late-night shakeup? Is Byron Allen replacing Stephen Colbert the future of TV, or is CBS waving the white flag? Head over to the comments to join the discussion and let us know if you'll be tuning in or finally catching up on sleep.