Byron Allen will take over the CBS late-night time slot with his show "Comics Unleashed" following Stephen Colbert's departure [1, 2].
The move marks a significant shift in late-night programming, moving away from the politically charged satire that has defined the slot for years. Allen, a billionaire media mogul [3], intends to use the platform to expand his existing media empire while offering viewers a reprieve from partisan tension [3, 4].
Colbert's tenure ended with a finale on May 21, 2026 [5]. Allen's new program is scheduled to begin the following week, occupying the weeknight slot from 11:35 p.m. to 12:37 a.m. [6].
Allen said the world is crazy, so let’s just get together and laugh [3]. He said the focus of the show would be purely on comedy rather than current events or government affairs. "There will be no politics on my show," Allen said [7].
This transition comes as Allen continues to diversify his holdings, which include a majority stake in BuzzFeed [4]. Despite the stark difference in content between the two shows, Allen spoke highly of his predecessor. "He is a wonderful human being," Allen said [8].
The new format aims to bring people together through humor, a strategy Allen believes is necessary given the current global climate [3]. By removing political commentary, the network is betting on a broader, more neutral appeal to capture a wide audience [7].
“"There will be no politics on my show."”
The replacement of Stephen Colbert with Byron Allen represents a strategic pivot for CBS, moving from a 'personality-driven' political commentary model to a 'variety-driven' comedy format. By explicitly banning politics, the network is attempting to mitigate viewer polarization and potentially attract a broader advertiser base that avoids controversial content. This shift also signals the increasing influence of independent media moguls in traditional broadcast spaces.
