With The Late Show with Stephen Colbert ending, CBS has leased its prime 11:35 PM time slot to media billionaire Byron Allen. Beginning May 22, the network will feature a two-hour comedy block anchored by Allen’s syndicated series, Comics Unleashed, and the game show, Funny You Should Ask.
Before the transition, Allen told USA Today that he recently met with Colbert.
We started breakfast at 10 a.m., and it went into lunch. And we shared our love of comedy and talk shows and Johnny Carson,” Allen said. He expressed that Colbert was “gracious,” and sent him a text message.
”He sent me a wonderful text. He said, ‘Congratulations.’”
Allen lauded Colbert as an “American treasure.”
”He is a wonderful human being. And he’s a really good guy. He’s a beautiful soul,” Allen says. “And I think he’s an American treasure. I hope that he continues to come into our homes. He deserves to be there, and I think he’s great. I think the world of him.”
In a statement, Allen expressed his gratitude to CBS for the opportunity.“I created and launched Comics Unleashed 20 years ago so my fellow comedians could have a platform to do what we all love—make people laugh,” Allen said.”Because the world can never have enough laughter.”
Back in October, Allen told Variety that he would love to take over the spot when the “Late Show” ends.
“If they’re looking for a show, my hand is already up,” said Allen. Fifty years, I’ve been waiting for this moment. Definitely, I’m going for it.”
Allen, who began as a teenage stand-up comedian, is now a multi-billion-dollar media mogul. After gaining early fame on NBC’s Real People, Allen founded Allen Media Group (formerly Entertainment Studios) in 1993 in his dining room. He revolutionized the syndication market with a “barter” business model, providing content to networks for free in exchange for half of the advertising inventory. Allen’s idea paid off as he amassed a massive portfolio of approximately 70 television shows.