CBS Revamps Late-Night Lineup with Byron Allen’s “Comics Unleashed”
There’s some significant change coming to late-night television next month. CBS is set to fill the time slot left vacant by “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” which recently met its end.
On Monday, CBS revealed that Byron Allen’s “Comics Unleashed” will step into that slot starting May 22. The show will run two back-to-back half-hour episodes, filling a one-hour programming gap. Additionally, audiences can look forward to another of Allen’s creations, “Funny You Should Ask,” which will also air two consecutive episodes in that hour.
Allen expressed his thoughts in a press release, saying, “I started Comics Unleashed 20 years ago so my fellow comedians could have a platform to do what we all love: make people laugh. I’m so grateful for the trust CBS has shown in choosing the two-hour comedy slots for Comics Unleashed and Funny You Should Ask, because there isn’t enough laughter in the world.” It’s hard to argue with that sentiment, right?
The move by CBS is quite unique, with the airtime being billed by Allen Media Group, rather than CBS itself. This might just be a lucrative strategy for the network.
As veteran entertainment journalist Matt Belloni noted, CBS is essentially “lending time slots to these two shows,” which could signify a bigger shift in programming dynamics. CBS had faced criticism after announcing Colbert’s show cancellation last July, with many alleging the decision was political. However, the network maintained that it was a straightforward economic decision.
Belloni recently reported that CBS takes a loss of about $40 million yearly on “The Late Show,” which operated with a budget of $100 million per season. He described this transition as a rather “sad moment in the middle of the night,” indicating a broader trend of struggles within the industry.
“And my prediction is that this is just the beginning,” he continued. “These late-night slots could turn into infomercial-style shows, where other content is being produced elsewhere. Essentially, it’s just more economically viable to rent out time slots.” That’s a somewhat dismal outlook for fans of late-night TV.
Derek Ricefield, a former media executive, called the Byron Allen arrangement a “sound economic move,” suggesting it fits into a broader trend we’ve been noticing—like networks reassessing their late-night programming amid financial challenges.
While some may view this as the end of an era, Ricefield didn’t quite go that far. He argued that TV networks will take a closer look at CBS’s strategy as they navigate the ongoing financial challenges of linear television.
On a more reassuring note, Colbert’s late-night counterparts seem to be safe for now. ABC has recently extended Jimmy Kimmel’s contract through May 2027, even after a rocky period following controversial comments he made. As for NBC, Lorne Michaels gave a nod to the stability of Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers during conversations with Comcast CEO Brian Roberts. Their contracts run until 2028.
