Monday, May 25, 2026

Colbert’s ‘Late Show’ Successor: ‘I’m Not Trying to Replace Him’

Byron Allen’s Comics Unleashed started on CBS on May 22. It took over the time slot of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Allen launched Comics Unleashed in 2006. He says his show is different and does not want Colbert’s audience. He promised that there will be "no politics" on his show.

Allen is not worried about how people will respond to his show. He thinks Comics Unleashed has its own fans. He wants to entertain late-night viewers in a new way.

He said, "Not everyone’s going to love me." He does not want to be racist or sexist. Some people think that The Late Show ended for money reasons and due to its political jokes.

Allen stated he has not discussed any rules about what to say with CBS. He has already made episodes and feels free to create his comedy. He aims to bring people together through laughter without discussing politics.

Test Your Understanding

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Vocabulary List:
6 words · tap to reveal
ON

Accent

audience/ˈɔdiəns/noun
people who watch or listen to a show

politics/ˈpɑlətɪks/noun
ideas and actions about government and power

entertain/ˌɛntərˈteɪn/verb
make people enjoy themselves and feel happy

respond/rɪˈspɑnd/verb
say or do something after someone else

racist/ˈreɪsɪst/adjective
showing dislike of people because of their race

episodes/ˈɛpɪˌsoʊdz/noun
one part of a TV or radio series

How much do you know?

When did Byron Allen's Comics Unleashed start on CBS?
May 22
June 15
April 30
March 1
What show did Comics Unleashed take over the time slot from?
The Tonight Show
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
The Daily Show
What year did Byron Allen launch Comics Unleashed?
2004
2006
2008
2010
What does Byron Allen promise will not be featured on his show?
Politics
Celebrity gossip
Sketch comedy
Stand-up routines
How does Byron Allen feel about the audience response to his show?
Worried
Indifferent
Excited
Supportive
What does Byron Allen aim to achieve with his comedy?
Financial success
Political commentary
Bringing people together through laughter
Celebrity interviews
Byron Allen wants to entertain The Late Show audience.
Byron Allen believes Comics Unleashed will have its own fans.
Some people think The Late Show ended for political reasons.
Byron Allen has discussed rules with CBS regarding what to say on his show.
Comics Unleashed is a political comedy show.
Byron Allen considers himself to be racist or sexist.
Comics Unleashed started on CBS on May 22,
Byron Allen launched in 2006.
He aims to bring people together through laughter without discussing
Allen feels free to create his comedy and has already made episodes.
Not everyone's going to love
Some people believe The Late Show ended for money reasons and due to its jokes.
This question is required

Test Your Understanding

Start Quiz
Vocabulary List:
6 words · tap to reveal
ON
Accent
audience/ˈɔdiəns/noun
people who watch or listen to a show
politics/ˈpɑlətɪks/noun
ideas and actions about government and power
entertain/ˌɛntərˈteɪn/verb
make people enjoy themselves and feel happy
respond/rɪˈspɑnd/verb
say or do something after someone else
racist/ˈreɪsɪst/adjective
showing dislike of people because of their race
episodes/ˈɛpɪˌsoʊdz/noun
one part of a TV or radio series

How much do you know?

When did Byron Allen's Comics Unleashed start on CBS?
May 22
June 15
April 30
March 1
What show did Comics Unleashed take over the time slot from?
The Tonight Show
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
The Daily Show
What year did Byron Allen launch Comics Unleashed?
2004
2006
2008
2010
What does Byron Allen promise will not be featured on his show?
Politics
Celebrity gossip
Sketch comedy
Stand-up routines
How does Byron Allen feel about the audience response to his show?
Worried
Indifferent
Excited
Supportive
What does Byron Allen aim to achieve with his comedy?
Financial success
Political commentary
Bringing people together through laughter
Celebrity interviews
Byron Allen wants to entertain The Late Show audience.
Byron Allen believes Comics Unleashed will have its own fans.
Some people think The Late Show ended for political reasons.
Byron Allen has discussed rules with CBS regarding what to say on his show.
Comics Unleashed is a political comedy show.
Byron Allen considers himself to be racist or sexist.
Comics Unleashed started on CBS on May 22,
Byron Allen launched in 2006.
He aims to bring people together through laughter without discussing
Allen feels free to create his comedy and has already made episodes.
Not everyone's going to love
Some people believe The Late Show ended for money reasons and due to its jokes.
This question is required

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