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AZLD4Candidate

(6,900 posts)
Thu May 7, 2026, 07:41 PM Thursday

Stephen Colbert reacts to CBS' replacement for 'The Late Show' - Byron Allen (?)

Stephen Colbert is revealing he sent a note of congratulations to Byron Allen after CBS announced that "The Late Show" will be replaced by the producer's show "Comics Unleashed."

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter published May 6, the late-night host reacted to news that "Comics Unleashed," a comedy talk show created by Allen, will take over the 11:35 p.m. time slot on CBS immediately after "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" ends later this month.

"God bless him. I know Byron. We got to know each other last year, actually. He's fascinating. You know his history with Carson?" Colbert told the outlet, referring to the fact that Allen became the youngest comic to perform on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" when he was 18.

"Anyway, when I found out, I wrote him the next morning and I said, 'Hey, congrats. I heard you got the time. Good for you. Wouldn't it be lovely if you could drop Mr. Carson a note?'" Colbert joked. Carson, who hosted "The Tonight Show" from 1962 to 1992, died in 2005.

https://www.aol.com/articles/stephen-colbert-reacts-cbs-replacement-133517940.html

Who is this guy?

33 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Stephen Colbert reacts to CBS' replacement for 'The Late Show' - Byron Allen (?) (Original Post) AZLD4Candidate Thursday OP
Byron "local UHF" Allen. nt eppur_se_muova Thursday #1
So he's Weird Al from 1989? AZLD4Candidate Thursday #2
He's been around the margins for decades. If he had potential, I think it would have made itself apparent sooner. nt eppur_se_muova Thursday #3
I have some ratings predictions in my mind.... Blue Owl Thursday #4
CBS is selling the time slot. No different than an Infomercial. maxsolomon Thursday #5
It is a "Going out of business" sale Bluetus Yesterday #26
My husband's watched some "Comics Unleashed" and wasn't impressed. Ritabert Thursday #6
It's godawful. Allen comes out and does a brief monologue. rsdsharp Thursday #9
There was a funnier show on in that slot "After Midnight" but the host quit Ritabert Yesterday #10
Improv class Mz Pip Yesterday #11
I have seen Rebl2 Yesterday #16
In other words, just like "Big Bang Theory" Bluetus Yesterday #27
Remember Byron Allen from Real People. Sneederbunk Thursday #7
No. AZLD4Candidate Yesterday #21
I watched 5 minutes of that show and turned it off kimbutgar Thursday #8
Byron Allen produces low budget comedy game show - funny you should ask jimmy the one Yesterday #12
If Byron Allen had any class or ethics, he'd refuse the time slot Grim Chieftain Yesterday #13
Sure. Why Should A Black American Entrepreneur Not Be A Saint, Too? GMAGDB Here. . ColoringFool Yesterday #17
Not sure what color has to do with this, but okay... Grim Chieftain Yesterday #18
It is when you want to go down a rabbit hole and claim the criticism is race based AZLD4Candidate Yesterday #23
Wise words, friend Grim Chieftain Yesterday #24
Herman Cain. Clarence Thomas. Armstrong Williams. Larry Elder. Byron Donalds. JC Watts AZLD4Candidate Yesterday #22
Jimmy Fallon is a ham with a lousy monologue too jimmy the one Yesterday #14
I didn't find Fallon funny on SNL. I don't find him funny now AZLD4Candidate Yesterday #19
Agree on Fallon, but Conan and Letterman were better FSogol Yesterday #25
If you suffer through the monologue, what follows is WORSE Bluetus Yesterday #28
RESPECT! EVER HEARD OF THE WEATHER CHANNEL?!....... ColoringFool Yesterday #15
He started the Weather Channel back in 1982 when he was 21? Wow. I thought is was John Coleman AZLD4Candidate Yesterday #20
It's not about who is replacing Colbert, unless this guy was picked because he will let the show be censored questionseverything Yesterday #31
i guess cbs is saving money + doesn't care about ratings. sorry. the new show sucks. pansypoo53219 Yesterday #29
I remember him from the show "Real People". Chakaconcarne Yesterday #30
Anybody stupid enough moondust Yesterday #32
Remember, TV execs cancelled The Twilight Zone and the original Star Trek. AZLD4Candidate Yesterday #33

eppur_se_muova

(42,384 posts)
3. He's been around the margins for decades. If he had potential, I think it would have made itself apparent sooner. nt
Thu May 7, 2026, 07:48 PM
Thursday

Blue Owl

(59,542 posts)
4. I have some ratings predictions in my mind....
Thu May 7, 2026, 07:59 PM
Thursday

And they don’t involve him lasting more than 5 weeks

maxsolomon

(39,099 posts)
5. CBS is selling the time slot. No different than an Infomercial.
Thu May 7, 2026, 08:03 PM
Thursday

As long as Allen pays their fee, they don't care. Done with the expense (and heartburn) of Late-Night Talk Shows. Get those damn Liberals off our airwaves!

Bluetus

(3,041 posts)
26. It is a "Going out of business" sale
Fri May 8, 2026, 12:24 PM
Yesterday

The problem with selling off what has been a valuable slot at "infomercial" prices, that time slot loses most of its audience. And therefore, it loses its value. It is a vicious cycle.

The thing is, CBS doesn't really care. The "big 3" networks gave up on their ond model more than a decade ago, and the traditional over-the-air networks are now such a small part of the companies, they are just looking to get what they can as these networks die off. CBS -- including the local stations they own - has annual revenue of about $3 Bn Skydance/Paramount is $30 Bn in annual revenue.

rsdsharp

(12,082 posts)
9. It's godawful. Allen comes out and does a brief monologue.
Thu May 7, 2026, 08:45 PM
Thursday

Then four comics no one ever heard of come out, and Allen reads set up lines from a clip board. The “comics” deliver unfunny lines in response to the set ups. I haven’t seen it much, but I only managed one mild chuckle. The rest of the “jokes” just laid there.

Mz Pip

(28,499 posts)
11. Improv class
Fri May 8, 2026, 10:06 AM
Yesterday

at Continuing Education Adult School. That’s what this sounds like.

I remember taking a class like that years ago just for fun. Not ready for prime time, for sure.

Bluetus

(3,041 posts)
27. In other words, just like "Big Bang Theory"
Fri May 8, 2026, 12:29 PM
Yesterday

That program is gawdawful. If you listen without the laugh tracks, it is torture.

https://www.reddit.com/r/videos/comments/3hq2gc/removing_the_laugh_track_from_the_big_bang_theory/

Has "Unleashed" tried borrowing some of the Big Bang laugh tracks?

jimmy the one

(2,831 posts)
12. Byron Allen produces low budget comedy game show - funny you should ask
Fri May 8, 2026, 10:26 AM
Yesterday

'Funny you should ask', renewed thru 2027, is a low budget half hour comedy game show where one of only two contestants is lucky to come away winning $1,000. The loser gets a great big thank you for being on the show, hope you enjoyed yourself.
The show as comedy is actually ok what with six guest comedians answering the moderators questions with wit and humor, but in the age of ten thousand dollar and likely more payoffs in most of the other game shows, meh.
The winner between the two gets a chance to win FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS - as the moderator shouts - by simply answering correctly 3 questions put to the six comedians. The first one is generally an easy no brainer like 'what is titleist, a golf ball, a cherry, or a grocery store'. The second is a lot harder and most contestants either know it or make an educated guess which is right about half the time.
The third question is very difficult, involving some obscure technical or arcane word or phrase which a normal person would not know. Since there are usually six answers, your educated guess comes out to be about correct once in four tries. I know 1 / 6 is 17%, but I said educated guess.
Due this last question it is apparent that Byron allens 'Funny you should ask' wants to keep the show low budget and avoid even modest payouts.

AZLD4Candidate

(6,900 posts)
23. It is when you want to go down a rabbit hole and claim the criticism is race based
Fri May 8, 2026, 11:50 AM
Yesterday

when it actually talent based. I've learned to avoid these discussions because even if you win, you still lose.

AZLD4Candidate

(6,900 posts)
22. Herman Cain. Clarence Thomas. Armstrong Williams. Larry Elder. Byron Donalds. JC Watts
Fri May 8, 2026, 11:49 AM
Yesterday

All Black American Entrepreneurs and not saints. Probably six of the most odious people in the country.

We're not talking saint-hood. We're talking comic talent and I think of a lot more black comedians that have far more talent and would draw a better audience.

Murphy. Chappelle. Lawrence. Cedric the Entertainer. DL Hughley. Wanda Sykes. Kevin Hart. Roy Wood Jr. Mike Epps. Regina King.

jimmy the one

(2,831 posts)
14. Jimmy Fallon is a ham with a lousy monologue too
Fri May 8, 2026, 11:10 AM
Yesterday

I do not watch jimmy Fallon any longer, and I had such high hopes when he replaced Conan obrien years ago.
I don't care any longer to suffer thru Fallon's awful monologues where I rarely hear a single joke worthy of even getting a guffaw.
And he hams it up beginning to end, as well on the other shows he guest stars on.
And the stupid rhyming name game he plays with notable names.
Give me jimmy kimmel, seth Meyers, and Stephen Colbert (at least for a couple more weeks). They have clunkers as well now and then, but it is generally enjoyable to watch them.

And does Roots know any other songs than 'Hey Hey Hey', and 'Get Involved'?

AZLD4Candidate

(6,900 posts)
19. I didn't find Fallon funny on SNL. I don't find him funny now
Fri May 8, 2026, 11:37 AM
Yesterday

Stand up died when Carlin died.

For late night: Kimmel, Stewart, Colbert, Meyers, and Oliver are the only ones that are funny and all but Meyers are Comedy Central alums.

Bluetus

(3,041 posts)
28. If you suffer through the monologue, what follows is WORSE
Fri May 8, 2026, 12:36 PM
Yesterday

AN hour of fake laughter, fake fawning, and glad-handing, always being sure to offend nobody.

It is like watching a version of South Park where Cartman is well-dressed, well-groomed young gentleman with impeccable manners and his friends just hang out and talk about how kewl the world is, and never get into any trouble. The "Fallon" version of South Park has Catman's slogan as "Watch me respect authior-i-tay."

ColoringFool

(988 posts)
15. RESPECT! EVER HEARD OF THE WEATHER CHANNEL?!.......
Fri May 8, 2026, 11:16 AM
Yesterday

BYRON ALLEN is the QUINTESSENTIAL "SELF-MADE MAN." As a Black American, he just might deserve some kudos, not criticism just because he's "taking" Colbert's place.

●●●●●●●●

Black American History | Congratulations to Byron Allen | Facebook https://share.google/B07oAiKEaklkI04Fr

●●●●●●●●

His television stations at least provide some competition to the ubiquitous Sinclair and Clear Channel ones.

●●●●●●●●

Byron Allen net worth: How rich is the ‘Comics Unleashed’ host? Allen Media Group empire in focus | Hindustan Times https://share.google/WtS9LsOamWAHHlC4a

●●●●●●●●

His humble background and business acumen:
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/articles/byron-allen-plus-know-10-171028241.html


AZLD4Candidate

(6,900 posts)
20. He started the Weather Channel back in 1982 when he was 21? Wow. I thought is was John Coleman
Fri May 8, 2026, 11:39 AM
Yesterday

I don't care if he's black, white, purple, polka dot, or green with red eyes. I care if he funny and from what I've seen, he's as funny as root canal.

questionseverything

(11,923 posts)
31. It's not about who is replacing Colbert, unless this guy was picked because he will let the show be censored
Fri May 8, 2026, 02:07 PM
Yesterday

Freedom of speech is a bedrock of democracy and the current administration is trying to end that , don’t support that nonsense, please

moondust

(21,343 posts)
32. Anybody stupid enough
Fri May 8, 2026, 02:22 PM
Yesterday

to cancel one of the most talented entertainers in television history--namely Stephen Colbert--has no business in the entertainment industry. Is it all because of his hilarious impressions of the ridiculous goofball in the White House?

AZLD4Candidate

(6,900 posts)
33. Remember, TV execs cancelled The Twilight Zone and the original Star Trek.
Fri May 8, 2026, 03:09 PM
Yesterday

They also cancelled the original run of Family Guy, a forward thinking sitcom called Titus, Firefly, and many other good shows.

As my old mentor said "execs can barely read, let alone think. They are all failed writers, artists, actors, and directors who have too much power and too little balls."

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