CBS revealed what will replace the nightly timeslot after the end of New York City’s “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.”
The network announced the cancellation of the nighttime talk show, which is filmed in New York’s historic Ed Sullivan Theater, in July. Paramount, the parent company of CBS, released a statement at the time emphasizing that the cancellation was “purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night” and was “not related in any way to the show’s performance, content, or other matters happening at Paramount.”
Stephen Colbert has hosted the show for a little more than 10 years, replacing the former host, David Letterman, in 2015.
The final episode of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” will air on May 21.
Here’s what to know about the time slot’s replacement.
What will replace “The Late Show” time slot?
CBS announced on April 6 that “The Late Show’s” 11:35 p.m. slot will be filled with “Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen” after the final May 21 episode.
The comedy talk show, hosted by Byron Allen, originally premiered in 2006 and currently airs on CBS immediately after “The Late Show.”
According to the network, CBS will air back-to-back, half-hour episodes of “Comics Unleashed” Monday through Friday starting on May 22. Back-to-back episodes of the comedy game show “Funny You Should Ask,” also produced by Allen, will fill the 12:37 a.m. time slot.
“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. “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.”
In March, Colbert announced that his next move will be to write a new “Lord of the Rings” movie with his screenwriter son. In a video announcement with director Peter Jackson, Colbert said he didn’t think he’d have time to write the movie before his show’s cancellation.
“I knew I couldn’t do that and do this show at the same time, but it turns out, I’m going to be free starting this summer,” Colbert said, adding, “So if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to finish a television show, and I’ve got to write a movie script, but I will see you all in The Shire.”
—Madison Scott is a New York Connect reporter, covering entertainment, breaking and consumer news, and trending topics with a focus on stories that matter to readers across New York state. She also has an interest in how the system helps or doesn’t helpfamilies with missing loved ones. She can be reached at MDScott@USATodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Stephen Colbert’s final episode set. What will replace ‘The Late Show’?
Reporting by Madison Scott, New York Connect Team / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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