Byron Allen Salutes Stephen Colbert as ‘Comics Unleashed’ Takes Over Slot
Byron Allen stepped into Stephen Colbert’s 11:35 p.m. ET CBS slot and used Friday’s “Comics Unleashed” debut to thank the late-night “pioneers” who came before him—naming Stephen Colbert and Johnny Carson among others.
By the time “Comics Unleashed” began on CBS, Byron Allen had already made the moment clear: he wasn’t treating his new 11:35 p.m. ET home as a break from the past—he was walking straight into the lineage that built it.
On Friday’s broadcast. which “Comics Unleashed” was announced as the replacement for “The Late Show” back in April. Allen opened with a shout-out to the late-night “pioneers” he said paved the way for him. He specifically named “the great Stephen Colbert. ” and added Bill Maher. Chelsea Handler. John Oliver. Conan O’Brien. Seth Meyers. Jon Stewart. Samantha Bee. and Trevor Noah—who he called his “personal favorite and a childhood hero. ” along with Johnny Carson.
Allen also thanked CBS and the partners powering the show’s reach. saying. “I’d also like to thank our incredible partners at CBS. Google. YouTube. and one of our sponsors. Procter and Gamble.” Then he turned to the audience. delivering a message that landed like both gratitude and a mission: “Last. but not least. I’d like to thank you. the audience. for allowing us to do what we love. Make you laugh, because this world can never have enough laughter. Thank you.”.
His remarks arrived a day after Colbert officially concluded his run as host of “The Late Show,” ending with a series finale that included celebrity cameos, multiple musical performances, and a wormhole-inspired warning for late night television.
The road to this change has been steep. In January, CBS locked in the final air date for “The Late Show,” set for Thursday, May 21. The decision came after CBS announced last summer that “The Late Show” would end shortly after Colbert mocked Paramount’s $16 million settlement with President Donald Trump. calling it a “big fat bribe.” Even so. CBS executives at the time said the cancellation decision was purely a financial one.
The response has been anything but quiet. Over the last year, Colbert’s supporters and famous friends have pushed back against the cancellation. Letterman. who created “The Late Show” in 1993. appeared on the show last week and declared he had “every right to be pissed off. ” adding. “Because this theater. you folks. wouldn’t be in this theater if it weren’t for me. And Stephen wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for me. We rebuilt this theater.”.
By the time Colbert’s final week arrived. he still got the send-off the late-night world does best: a wide circle of talent coming through. The program drew a slew of celebrities—including Paul McCartney. Ryan Reynolds. Billy Crystal. Martha Stewart. Jim Gaffigan. James Taylor. Robert De Niro. John Dickerson. and Bruce Springsteen—among others. all sending him off in style.
For viewers now adjusting to a new nightly rhythm, “Comics Unleashed With Byron Allen” airs weeknights at 11:35 p.m. ET on CBS.
Byron Allen Stephen Colbert Comics Unleashed The Late Show CBS 11:35 p.m. ET Johnny Carson Trevor Noah Procter and Gamble Google YouTube late night television