Comedy mogul Byron Allen is bringing the laughs back to late-night television in a big way—his long-running panel show, Comics Unleashed, is set to tape 132 brand-new episodes ahead of its official return to CBS this fall.
The series will take over the 12:37 a.m. ET time slot starting September 22, 2025, replacing After Midnight, which ended production earlier this year. CBS will air back-to-back half-hour episodes Monday through Friday, with streaming available on Paramount+ with Showtime.
This marks the show’s 20th season, a major milestone for a series that first premiered in 2006 and has featured over 550 comedians across its run.
Hosted by Allen himself, Comics Unleashed is known for its roundtable format, where comedians riff on topics and deliver punchlines in a fast-paced, unscripted setting. Past guests include:
- Tiffany Haddish
- Cedric the Entertainer
- Gabriel Iglesias
- Roy Wood Jr.
- Deon Cole
- Leslie Jones
- Kevin Hart
- Katt Williams
- Whitney Cummings
- Marc Maron …and hundreds more.
Allen calls the show a “true passion,” saying, “This world can never have enough laughter. I created this show more than 20 years ago so that the best comedians can always have a home and do what they love to do—come together and make everyone laugh.”
The new season is produced by Allen Media Group, with executive producers including Byron Allen, Carolyn Folks, Jennifer Lucas, and comedian Jodi Miller, who joins the team for the first time.
Production begins in August, with the 132 episodes expected to provide 13–16 weeks of fresh content, depending on CBS’s scheduling strategy.
With CBS stepping back from traditional late-night programming, Comics Unleashed fills a crucial gap, offering a platform for diverse comedic voices and a refreshing alternative to scripted talk shows. It’s a testament to Allen’s enduring influence and his commitment to keeping comedy accessible and inclusive.
