Colbert's Late Show Ends, Byron Allen's Comedy Takes Over

0:00On April 7th, CBS just dropped a bombshell in late-night TV, ending Stephen Colbert's late show after more than 10 years on air. The show wraps up on May 21st, 2026, making way for Byron Allen's comics unleashed at 11.35 p.m. starting the next. Day May 22nd. They'll follow it with Allen's comedy game show, Funny You Should Ask, at 12.35 a.m. This move was announced back in July, wrapping up a long-running tension between Colbert and the network. Comics Unleashed has already tested those slots this season, and during the 2023 strikes proving it's ready for prime time. Critics on the left are crying foul, claiming it's all about politics and a big merger nod to President Trump. Meanwhile, many say late-night hosts like Colbert got too divisive and preachy, losing touch with regular folks who now hit podcasts for that edge. Byron Allen, who started Comics Unleashed 20 years ago, sees it as a win for pure comedy.

1:00He wants the spotlight comedians doing what they do best, dropping jokes and stories to spark real laughs without the heavy agenda. As networks chase what clicks, this swapped signals late-night leaning back toward fun over fights, giving audiences the straight-up humor they've been, missing, all mains, staying the note with entertainment and celebrity news today, AI-powered updates.