CBS will shore up its late night roster in the fall with an assist from Byron Allen.
The media mogul’s long-running syndicated show Comics Unleashed — which Allen also hosts — will follow repeats of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert beginning Sept. 18 for what the network says is a “limited run.” CBS will air two episodes per night at 12:37 a.m. ET/PT, in the spot formerly occupied by The Late Late Show.
Network late night shows have all been dark since the Writers Guild of America strike began in May.
“Comics Unleashed is a true passion for me, simply because this world can never have enough laughter,” said Allen, founder, chairman and CEO of Allen Media Group. “I created this show so that the best comedians can all come together and bring nonstop laughter.”
Comics Unleashed has aired in broadcast syndication since 2006. Allen hosts a roundtable discussion with a rotating panel of comedians; guests have included a host of A-list comics Sebastian Maniscalco, Tiffany Haddish, Gabriel Iglesias, Cedric the Entertainer, Howie Mandel, Leslie Jones, Wayne Brady, Roy Wood Jr., Whitney Cummings, JB Smoove, Billy Gardell and Margaret Cho, among many others.
The show currently runs on CBS-owned stations in 14 markets. The episodes airing nationally on the network will be a mix of the show’s library and previously unseen installments taped prior to the writers and actors strikes.
Allen Media Group produces the show, with Allen, Carolyn Folks and Jennifer Lucas serving as executive producers.
Source: Hollywood
