Viewers tuning into CBS on the evening of May 22 may have been surprised. While Stephen Colbert’s exit from The Late Show was heavily discussed and promoted, its replacement features a very different format and aims for a very different tone.
“No politics,” Byron Allen told CBS Mornings while describing his roundtable comedy late show. “You come, you laugh.”
Are Late Shows Ready To Abandon Politics?
When CBS announced it was ending the long-running Late Show, the network framed the move as a “purely financial decision.” Critics, however, argued that the show’s declining viewership reflected audience fatigue with Colbert’s increasingly progressive political commentary.
Stephen Colbert dances around with human needles – YouTube, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
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As his final show approached, Colbert appeared to distance himself somewhat from the decision to make the program so politically focused. However, he was hardly alone in that approach. Other late-night hosts, most notably Jimmy Kimmel, have also made criticism of the political right a dominant part of their shows.
Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen could signal a broader shift—not just for CBS programming, but for the future of late-night television itself.
Byron Allen Bets On A Different Audience
Speaking with NPR before his new show’s debut, Byron Allen said, “At the end of the day, I’m not trying to replace Colbert.” The comment suggests audiences should not expect more of the same in Colbert’s former time slot. “I am not trying to hold on to his audience because Comics Unleashed has been around 20 years and has its own audience.”
It is still too early to tell whether that established audience will follow Allen’s style of comedy to network television. The more important question may be whether he can attract new viewers. “Not everyone’s going to love me,” Allen said, adding that his show will largely avoid controversial subjects.
According to Allen, the decision to avoid politics is not coming from CBS or Paramount. NPR’s Ailsa Chang asked him directly whether any network executives had set boundaries for Comics Unleashed.
Byron Allen – Comics Unleashed, YouTube
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“I have absolutely not had any conversations with anybody at CBS or Paramount about what to say or not to say,” Allen said. He added that the show has been taping since late last summer. During that time, a CBS representative reportedly visited only once, suggesting the appearance was more of a courtesy than an inspection.
“When we’ve sent the episodes over, they barely give notes,” Allen said. “CBS has not given me any notes, any feedback about don’t be political.” The comedian also expressed confidence in his understanding of what audiences want. “I started the show 20 years ago,” he said, “and we’ve been crushing it for 20 years.”
The Bigger Challenge Facing Late Night
Byron Allen’s confidence extends beyond his public comments. While Stephen Colbert’s show operated as a traditional network production funded by CBS, Allen Media Group is leasing the hour directly from the network. Allen’s company handles production and advertising itself while paying CBS for the time slot.
Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert laughing together – YouTube, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
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That financial commitment may carry as much or more weight than any potential network oversight. By bringing a “no politics” approach to his late show, Byron Allen is positioning himself to appeal to the broadest audience possible.
However, in an entertainment landscape increasingly shaped by TikTok clips, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels, his biggest challenge may not be the comedy itself, but convincing audiences to tune in for a scheduled, hour-long television program at all.
Do you think a late show with “no politics” will draw an audience? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
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