CBS Lines Up Official Replacement for ‘The Late Show With Stephen Colbert’ When It Wraps May 21

CBS has officially announced what programming it will use to replace The Late Show with Stephen Colbert when it finally ends its decades-long run in May.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, CBS will usher in a new era of late-night programming one day after Stephen Colbert takes his final bow by abandoning the traditional format in favor of Byron Allen’s Comics Unleashed.

The series, hosted by Allen, features comedians doing short standup sets on topics that the host provides them. It also includes a somewhat traditional late-night interview segment.

CBS announced in July 2025 that it would be canceling the long-running Late Show due to low profits. Allen’s arrival in the 11:35 timeslot may allow late night to be profitable once again: According to THR, Comics Unleashed will be followed by another show produced by Allen’s Allen Media Group, Funny You Should Ask. The outlet reports that Allen is buying up time from the network to air the two shows and selling the available TV ad spots within the two-hour block.

“I created and launched Comics Unleashed 20 years ago so my fellow comedians could have a platform to do what we all love — make people laugh,” Allen said in a statement, per THR. “I truly appreciate CBS’ confidence in me by picking up our two-hour comedy block of Comics Unleashed and Funny You Should Ask, because the world can never have enough laughter.”

Funny You Should Ask is hosted by Jon Kelley and features two contestants answering trivia questions with the help of a group of comedians. Colbert will air his last episode on May 21 and the new late night programming will begin on May 22.