Stephen Colbert will make his last appearance on CBS’s The Late Show on Thursday, May 21, 2026 after 11 seasons as the host.
Taking over the late-night slot will not be another talk show, but instead, two syndicated comedy shows from Bryon Allen. The network announced the change, which is set to take place on Friday, May 22, 2026, in a statement on Tuesday, April 7, noting that they would be leasing the slot to the high-powered Hollywood executive.
Comics Unleashed With Byron Allen will air at 11:35 pm, followed by the comedy game show Funny You Should Ask at 12:35 am.
After the announcement was made, Byron said in a statement: “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.”
He continued: “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.”
So, who is the man taking over for Stephen? Here’s everything we know about Byron Allen and the shows set to take over late night.
© Getty ImagesByron’s love of comedy
Proven in the statement shared about taking over for Stephen, Bryon loves comedy. And that love started young. When he was just 14, Byron performed his first stand-up comedy routine at comedy clubs throughout Los Angeles.
After comedian Jimmie Walker saw Byron’s act, he invited him to join his comedy writing team alongside Jay Leno and David Letterman. And in 1979, when Byron was 18, he became the youngest comedian to ever perform on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
© Getty ImagesBryon’s success in television
After his appearance on The Tonight Show, Byron was cast as a host and reported for Real People. Soon after, he hosted the late-night talk show, The Byron Allen Show, which was on-air from 1989 to 1992.
A year later, Byron went on to establish CF Entertainment – which was later renamed the Allen Media Group – a production company that produced several low-cost non-fiction television shows. The first show under the company was called Entertainers with Byron Allen, and featured Byron interviewing celebrities.
© Getty Images for NetflixByron’s billion dollar business
The Allen Media Group quickly became an extremely lucrative company. With shows like The First Family, Mathis Court with Judge Mathis, and Mr. Box Office, the production company is worth some $4.5 billion.
It’s with these assets that Byron is leasing the late-night slot on CBS.
© Getty ImagesByron’s life off-screen
In 2007, when Byron was 46, he married TV producer Jennifer Lucas. The couple tied the knot at the Bel Air Hotel in front of 120 guests. Byron and Jennifer are parents to three children – Chloe, 17, Olivia, 16, and Lucas, 13.
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