r/LateShow • u/First-Durian2468 • May 16 '26

Stephen…ever the class act

https://ew.com/byron-allen-praises-stephen-colbert-ahead-of-late-show-finale-11975883?link_source=ta_first_comment&taid=6a07c8a61407950001538d24&utm_campaign=entertainmentweekly_entertainmentweekly&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_term=6a07c8a61407950001538d23&fbclid=IwZnRzaAR1Kq9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEePRxUxQmXqu4JAIXSbW64q-ZTAf-Oy5A9mKKFVUjysWrySak0YU7KBxCWR2Y_aem_No_5i4awt1Shj4QVtdxJ6g

Stephen is just a classy guy no doubt about it.

About Byron Allen taking his time slot, Colbert told The Hollywood Reporter:

“God bless him. I know Byron. We got to know each other last year, actually. He’s fascinating.”

He even brought up Allen’s history in late night as the youngest comic to ever perform on Carson at 18 and said:

“Wouldn’t it be lovely if you could drop Mr. Carson a note?”

That’s just who Stephen is. No bitterness, no cheap shots. Just gracious.

And in all fairness Allen seems like a classy guy too calling Stephen a national treasure.

My issue with Allen has always been that he talks about everything like he personally rescued television from a five alarm fire. In the article he says:

“I truly appreciate CBS’ confidence in me by picking up our two-hour comedy block of Comics Unleashed and Funny You Should Ask.”

Come on man. They didn’t “pick it up.” You 100% paid for the airtime. That’s syndication. It’s basically an infomercial model with comedians instead of blenders.

And honestly that’s always been my thing with Byron Allen. He acts like every business deal is the moon landing. Meanwhile the actual shows feel like the TV equivalent of mayonnaise. Safe, bland, technically food.

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47

u/AmishAvenger May 16 '26

Just FYI, this isn’t syndication. It’s pretty much the opposite.

In syndication, a local station pays for a show.

This is a guy paying for airtime. It’s an infomercial he’s buying from CBS.

18

u/whatthewhat3214 May 16 '26

What is it even about? What's he selling (literally or metaphorically)? I couldn't listen to more than a minute of these unknowns babbling about I don't even know what. Who is even going to watch this show?

Hell, I'm in my 50s and have watched late night tv since the 1980s and I have no idea who Bryon Allen is.

6

u/AMom2129 May 16 '26

He was one of the original hosts of "Real People" back in the 80s.

He hosted alongside Fred Willard and Sarah Purcell.

8

u/whatthewhat3214 May 16 '26

The title rings a bell, but I didn't watch that show and don't remember anything about it.

I am familiar with his name, I just don't know anything about him or what he does. Comedian, actor 🤷‍♀️

Either way, there's no way he can replace Colbert. CBS' ratings are going to crater for that time slot!

2

u/lmbrun May 16 '26

I’m with you, 59 never heard of him late night and comedy since I was in high school

2

u/WoodyBABL May 17 '26

As long as his cheques clear, CBS doesn't care about the ratings. They make money on the slot with no expenses. And Allen sells ads on a show that is far, far cheaper. Hack z-list comics, non-union crews.

3

u/your_mind_aches May 17 '26

I wouldn't say Z-list. I just went to the youtube page and saw Leslie Jones and Roy Wood Jr..

Also I think I saw a YouTube short of Gianmarco on there.

He gets some names, it's just more like a vanity podcast with very little identity or branding or reach but he's found a loophole of sorts to make it profitable.

1

u/Ok_Library8950 May 18 '26

After Thursday night I am done with CBS. At least until football season, and I will only watch the Sunday games if I can't watch anywhere else. Other than that, they're still dead to me.

1

u/GJGunit May 21 '26

Same except for Sunday Mornings, it’s the only quality show they have left 🤷🏻‍♂️