

Plans for CBS’ soon-to-be vacant 11:35 p.m. time slot have been revealed by the network. CNN reports beginning next month, the hour will be filled by two episodes of Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen. The program from the media owner profiles comedians in roundtable interview segments.
While Allen’s talk program takes the first hour, his game show, Funny You Should Ask, will air afterward with host by Jon Kelley (Extra!, The Mole). Currently Comics has held the later spot, filling the void of After Midnight since September.
“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,” Allen said in a statement via CNN. He’s the founder of Allen Media Group, which has pursued multiple acquisition as of late, including The Weather Channel.
The new programming will arrive May 22, a day after The Late Show with Stephen Colbert airs its final episode. Colbert’s (The Daily Show, Law and Order: Criminal Intent) tenure and the late-night show were canceled last year, with the network citing financial pressures to maintain the storied format. The cancellation received more attention as it came at the peak of transitions and alleged transgressions at the network.
Colbert, an open critic of the Trump administration, announced the series’ fate shortly after David Ellison’s Skydance acquired CBS’ parent company, Paramount. With Ellison being a professed comrade of President Trump, many alleged the dismissal was a result of pressure from the administration.
Trump rejoiced on social media at the news of the Late Show‘s end. It was another assumed win for the leader who accumulated several other spats with the network and other late night hosts. From his lawsuit against 60 Minutes, to his feuds with Jimmy Kimmel (Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Man Show) and Seth Meyers (Saturday Night Live, The Awesomes).
