Fri Mar 28 04:10:00 UTC 2025: ## CBS Cancels Late-Night Comedy Show “After Midnight” After Host’s Departure
**NEW YORK** – CBS has canceled its late-night comedy show, “After Midnight,” after host Taylor Tomlinson announced her decision to return to stand-up comedy full-time. The cancellation marks a significant blow to the struggling late-night television landscape and leaves CBS without original programming in the 12:30 a.m. slot for the first time in three decades.
The network renewed the show for a third season just last week, but Tomlinson’s unexpected departure prompted a swift reversal. In a statement, the 31-year-old comedian cited her desire to focus on her stand-up career, calling it her “first passion.” Executive producer Stephen Colbert expressed respect for her decision.
“After Midnight,” which debuted in January 2024, was an experimental departure from the traditional late-night format, opting for a comedic game show structure with a smaller budget and staff. The show’s cancellation, coupled with the broader decline in late-night viewership and advertising revenue, suggests a potential shift away from traditional late-night programming for CBS.
The cancellation highlights the challenges facing the late-night genre. Streaming services have largely failed to replicate the success of traditional late-night shows, and the format’s reliance on frequent episodes and topical humor doesn’t translate well to on-demand platforms. Furthermore, the trend of late-night hosts seeking alternative career paths, as seen with Trevor Noah and James Corden in recent years, continues to impact the industry. The move by CBS to cancel “After Midnight” and leave the 12:30 a.m. slot empty for the 2025-26 season indicates a possible re-evaluation of the network’s late-night strategy. The show’s final episode will air in June.
First Piper 