Byron Allen’s ‘Comics Unleashed’ Gets the Post-Colbert Time Slot on CBS — Again

In case of emergency, Byron Allen.

CBS has found its post-Colbert series in Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen — again.

Starting on Monday, Sept. 22, Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen will once more follow The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, as it did in a limited run in fall 2023. The @midnight spinoff After Midnight hosted by Taylor Tomlinson then took over the 12:37 a.m. hour. Stephen Colbert was among the After Midnight executive producers.

Panel show After Midnight aired for two seasons before being canceled. The series had previously been renewed for a third season, but plans were scrapped after Tomlinson expressed a desire to return to performing standup comedy full time. CBS said it will no longer program the time slot, though it was unclear if the hour would be kicked back to local stations — it was not.

“Hosting After Midnight has genuinely been the experience of a lifetime, and I’ll be forever grateful for the opportunity to be part of this incredible journey. Though it was an extremely tough decision, I knew I had to return to my first passion and return to stand-up touring full-time,” Tomlinson said in a statement in March. “I appreciate CBS, [executive producer] Stephen Colbert, the producers, and the entire After Midnight staff and crew for all the love, support, and unforgettable memories.”

Added Colbert at the time, “I want to thank CBS for their constant support and invaluable partnership on After Midnight, and the whole staff for their amazing dedication. While we were excited and grateful for our third season to start in the fall, we respect Taylor’s decision to return to stand-up full time.”

So now, Comics Unleashed will air two back-to-back half hours, carrying CBS to 1:37 a.m. ET/PT. The show will be available to stream live on Paramount+.

“Comics Unleashed is a true passion for me, simply because this world can never have enough laughter,” Byron Allen, the founder, chairman and CEO of Allen Media Group. “I created this show so that the best comedians can all come together and help bring non-stop laughter.”

Allen’s Comics Unleashed is produced by Allen Media Group and executive produced by Allen, Carolyn Folks and Jennifer Lucas. The series has been airing in first-run strip syndication since its premiere in September 2006.

Allen Media Group owns The Weather Channel, website TheGrio, local TV stations in multiple cities, streaming service HBCU Go and branded properties like Cars.TV and Pets.TV. Allen made a bid to buy Paramount Global last year, though his financing was unclear.