What replaced The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert aired its final episode on May 22, 2025, ending an eight-year run on CBS. The show occupied a well-defined slot in the network’s late-night lineup and its departure changed the schedule for affiliates and viewers alike. In this evergreen explainer, we clarify what is replacing The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, how the new late-night lineup is structured, and what this transition means for the network and audience.
Background on The Late Show and its slot
Since 2015, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert occupied the 11:30 PM ET / 10:30 PM CT window on weeknights following The Late Late Show with James Corden. That scheduling created a compact, contiguous block of late-night comedy and talk that was competitive with NBC’s lineup. When Colbert’s team and CBS announced the show would conclude in spring 2025, it initiated a public search for a successor and a reconfiguration of the block.
Confirmed replacement shows and timelines
CBS has committed to retaining a traditional late-night structure in the same time slot. The network announced that The Late Show will be replaced by two distinct programs on weeknights, while maintaining overall continuity in the block.
| Time (ET) | Show | Host | Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11:30 PM | After Midnight | Taylor Tomlinson | Weeknights |
| 12:30 AM | Gutfeld! | Greg Gutfeld | Weeknights |
| 1:30 AM | The Nightly Show | Larry Wilmore | Weeknights |
CBS’s schedule positions Taylor Tomlinson’s show at 11:30 PM as the primary replacement for Colbert, followed by Greg Gutfeld at 12:30 AM and Larry Wilmore at 1:30 AM. This trio forms a new, platform-driven late-night lineup.
Details on Taylor Tomlinson’s “After Midnight”
Taylor Tomlinson’s program is framed as a successor to The Late Show, inheriting the 11:30 PM slot on weeknights. The format blends monologue, topical sketches, and guest interviews, tailored for both domestic and international audiences. Tomlinson’s existing stand-up background and previous work on other platforms informed the show’s casual yet structured tone. Industry observers note that this slot is high-profile for a streamer-turned-cable host, and Tomlinson’s visibility will be central to the block’s overall success.
Context on the broader late-night lineup changes
In addition to Tomlinson’s headliner, CBS repositioned existing properties to reinforce its late-night portfolio. Greg Gutfeld’s expanded show moves later in the evening, while Larry Wilmore returns with a new nightly format. These moves suggest a strategy to offer variety within a single late-night block, appealing to different tastes and viewing habits. For affiliates, the shift requires localized scheduling adjustments, particularly in time zones where the block crosses into late primetime for West Coast audiences.
Impact on staff, production, and affiliates
The transition affects writers, producers, stage crews, and other personnel who supported The Late Show. Industry reporting indicates that CBS is redeploying staff where possible, while new hiring for the incoming shows is underway. Production workflows are recalibrating to accommodate the new formats and shorter timelines. For affiliates, the promise is continuity in structure, with the network emphasizing stable lead-in programming to maintain audience flow and advertising revenue.
Audience expectations and reception
Early feedback from preview events and pilot episodes points to a more conversational, less partisan tone in Tomlinson’s show compared to some of its predecessors. Gutfeld’s iteration retains his signature style, while Wilmore’s brings a cultural commentary angle. Viewers who enjoyed Colbert’s long-form interviews and musical segments will find different but complementary offerings in the new lineup.
Key facts at a glance
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Final episode date | May 22, 2025 | Network announcement |
| Primary replacement (11:30 PM) | After Midnight with Taylor Tomlinson | CBS press release |
| 12:30 AM show | Gutfeld! | Network schedule |
| 1:30 AM show | The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore | Network schedule |
| Format of new block | Platform-driven, multi-host late-night block | Industry reporting |
Comparisons to prior CBS late-night strategy
Previously, CBS relied on a more experimental approach with rotating guest hosts and limited series. Introducing three consistent nightly hosts represents a return to a stable, recognizable format. From a branding perspective, the new lineup balances established personalities with fresh voices, aiming to capture both legacy audiences and younger demographics who consume comedy across platforms.
What this means for viewers and affiliates
For viewers, the change brings a new set of hosts and formats into the same time window, with minimal disruption to the basic cable schedule. Affiliates will see familiar time slots, allowing continued local advertising and promotional planning. The network’s goal is to preserve the audience funnel that The Late Show helped sustain, while introducing new engagement opportunities through digital extensions of the new shows.
Evergreen takeaways
- The Late Show with Stephen Colbert ended on May 22, 2025, and is replaced by a structured late-night block on CBS.
- Taylor Tomlinson’s “After Midnight” at 11:30 PM is the direct successor in the primary time slot.
- The new lineup includes Gutfeld! at 12:30 AM and The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore at 1:30 AM.
- The transition involves staff redeployment, production recalibration, and localized affiliate adjustments.
- Audience reception to the new shows is cautiously positive, with emphasis on continuity and format variety.
As the late-night landscape on CBS settles into its new form, the focus remains on sustaining viewer habits and offering dependable, varied content. This status-oriented explanation is designed to remain useful as schedules stabilize and new hosts establish their long-term presence.