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Byron Allen Takes Over Late Night on CBS After Colbert's Departure
The Late-Night Shakeup: What Colbert's Exit and Allen's Rise Really Mean for the Future of TV
Apr. 10, 2026 at 2:38am by Ben Kaplan
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The vibrant world of late-night TV undergoes a shakeup, as the departure of a political voice gives way to a safer, more palatable programming shift.San Francisco TodayThe world of late-night TV is undergoing a major shift as Stephen Colbert departs The Late Show and comedian Byron Allen takes over the coveted 11:35 p.m. slot on CBS. This transition is seen by many as symbolic of larger forces at play, including politics, media consolidation, and the evolving appetite of audiences.
Why it matters
Colbert's departure comes amid CBS's merger with Skydance, a company tied to MAGA billionaire David Ellison. Colbert, a vocal critic of Trump, had a high-profile feud with the former president, raising questions about whether his exit is politically motivated. Meanwhile, Allen's takeover with his apolitical comedy shows suggests a shift away from provocative content toward safer, more palatable programming, which could have broader implications for the future of late-night TV.
The details
Stephen Colbert's exit from The Late Show has been framed in various ways, with some suggesting it's a political move and others seeing it as a natural evolution. The timing of Colbert's departure, which coincides with CBS's merger with Skydance, has fueled speculation about the potential political undertones. Colbert, known for his sharp, politically charged humor, had a well-documented feud with former President Trump. In contrast, Byron Allen's takeover of the 11:35 p.m. slot with his comedy shows, Comics Unleashed and Funny You Should Ask, is seen as a more safe and apolitical approach, potentially signaling a shift away from the type of provocative content that has made late-night TV a platform for meaningful dialogue.
- Colbert's exit from The Late Show comes amid CBS's merger with Skydance, a company tied to MAGA billionaire David Ellison.
- Colbert, a vocal critic of Trump, had a high-profile feud with the former president.
The players
Stephen Colbert
The former host of The Late Show, known for his sharp, politically charged humor and high-profile feud with former President Trump.
Byron Allen
The comedian who is taking over the 11:35 p.m. slot on CBS with his apolitical comedy shows, Comics Unleashed and Funny You Should Ask.
David Ellison
The MAGA billionaire who is the owner of Skydance, the company that recently merged with CBS.
Brendan Carr
The former FCC head under the Trump administration, who openly celebrated the defunding of PBS and NPR, the removal of critical voices like Jim Acosta, and now Colbert's exit.
The takeaway
The handover from Colbert to Allen isn't just a programming change—it's a cultural shift. It reflects the tensions between politics and media, the pressures of consolidation, and the evolving role of entertainment in our lives. The real story here isn't who's hosting what show—it's the larger forces shaping the narratives we consume. As we watch this transition unfold, it's worth asking ourselves: What kind of media do we want, and what are we willing to fight for?
