Stephen Colbert and CBS Bid Farewell to ‘After Midnight’
Ah yes, the bittersweet symphony of late-night television strikes again, as the curtain falls on CBS’s ‘After Midnight,’ hosted by the hilariously talented Taylor Tomlinson. In a plot twist that probably left many viewers clutching their remote controls in disbelief, the show is wrapping up after two seasons—much to the chagrin of fans and the delight of those who adore a good comeback story. Stephen Colbert, the mastermind behind this late-night venture and host of ‘The Late Show,’ took a moment to shower praise not only on Tomlinson but also on CBS executives, including CEO George Cheeks and CBS Entertainment President Amy Reisenbach. Colbert acknowledged Tomlinson’s decision to pivot back into stand-up comedy, calling her “incredibly funny” and expressing profound respect for her choice to focus on her craft. “As someone who’s done this job for 20 years,” he remarked, “I completely respect her enormously as a comedian and for making a very hard decision on how to best use her time and her talent.”
While the decision to cancel the show may seem like a corporate misfire, it’s essential to remember that the network had actually shown faith in the program, quietly greenlighting a third season before Tomlinson’s big career move. Colbert’s heartfelt tribute to the team behind ‘After Midnight’ highlighted the challenge of bringing something fresh to the late-night arena and the hard work of those who made it happen—an admirable feat in an industry often resistant to change.
As CBS shifts its programming strategy away from the 12:30 a.m. slot, one can only hope this isn’t the last we see of innovative late-night formats. After all, with so many talented comedians out there, there’s no shortage of potential future stars waiting in the wings. Class dismissed, dear readers—keep your eyes peeled for what’s next in late-night shenanigans!
Sources: Celebrity Storm
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