CBS, which is owned by Paramount, has finally revealed the replacement for Stephen Colbert’s The Late Show, which was previously hosted by David Letterman from 1993 to 2015. According to USA Today, CBS announced on April 6, 2026, revealing that Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen will replace Colbert’s Late Show and fill the 11:35 p.m. time slot.
The 64-year-old businessman-turned-TV producer, Allen, will be hosting the comedy talk show Comics Unleashed, which premiered in 2006. The show, which features a panel of comedians who perform family-friendly material, will start on May 22, 2026, with Stephen Colbert’s Late Show ending on May 21, 2026.
As cited by USA Today, Byron Allen, who has also produced other television shows like Funny You Should Ask, released a statement in which he said:
“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 further added:
“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, besides being a film and television producer, is also the founder of Allen Media Group, a media company that primarily focuses on digital media, broadcasting, television and film production. Allen, who has been married to film producer Jennifer Lucas since 2007, shares three children, a son, Lucas and two daughters, Chloe and Olivia, with her.
As per reports, Byron Allen and Jennifer Lucas first came across one another in April 2001. Before getting hitched in 2007, they were in a romantic relationship for six years. According to IMDb, Jennifer, as a producer, has been linked to movies like 47 Meters Down, Replicas, Boss Level, and Friend Request.
Byron Allen wants comedians to perform non-political jokes
During an interview with the Los Angeles Times in 2025, Byron Allen discussed how he wants and prefers comedians to perform jokes that are not political but are “family-friendly” and “advertiser-friendly” on his show, Comics Unleashed. Allen said:
“I tell the comedians we’re shooting ‘I Love Lucy. Something that’s evergreen. So I don’t want to hear any political humor. Just be funny, family-friendly and advertiser-friendly.”
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Edited by Amey Mirashi