Biography Flash Stephen Colbert Late Show Ending CBS Cancels After a Decade

About this episode

Stephen Colbert's late-night show is set to end after a decade, with CBS planning to fill the slot with Byron Allen's show.

Stephen Colbert's late-night empire is undergoing a seismic shift as we enter the final weeks of an era. According to reports from the Los Angeles Times, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will air its final broadcast on May 21st, 2026, ending a decade-long run at CBS. The network made the difficult decision to cancel the popular program, citing mounting financial pressures as the primary reason. This marks a significant turning point for one of late-night television's most recognizable figures. But here's where the story gets interesting for network executives and industry watchers alike. CBS isn't abandoning the late-night slot entirely. According to the Los Angeles Times, the network has struck a one-year deal with media mogul Byron Allen to fill the void left by Colbert's departure. Allen's syndicated show Comics Unleashed will move into the 11:35 p.m. time slot, the same prestigious hour previously occupied by David Letterman before Colbert took over. Meanwhile, Allen's other program, Funny You Should Ask, will air at 12:35 a.m. Network executives acknowledged during a press briefing that they're still committed to late-night television, though they're taking their time…

People in this episode

Host: Stephen Colbert

Topics covered

• late-night television
• CBS cancellation
• Stephen Colbert
• Byron Allen
• media industry
• television programming

Keywords

• Stephen Colbert
• CBS
• late-night show
• Byron Allen
• Comics Unleashed
• Funny You Should Ask
• television cancellation
• media mogul

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: CBS, Los Angeles Times

Books & works: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Comics Unleashed, Funny You Should Ask

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