Cancellation Confirmed:: 'After Midnight' will air its final episodes in June 2025, concluding after a run that began in January 2024.
Host's Departure:: Taylor Tomlinson is leaving the show voluntarily to focus on her primary passion: stand-up comedy and touring. She expressed gratitude for the experience but cited the need to return to touring full-time.
Network Slot Uncertainty:: CBS has stated it will not program original content in the 12:35 a.m. time slot following the show's conclusion next season. The future of the time slot (whether retained by the network or returned to affiliates) is yet to be determined.
Producer Support:: Executive Producer Stephen Colbert acknowledged the team's excitement for a third season but respected Tomlinson's decision to prioritize her stand-up career.
Show Format:: Based on Comedy Central's '@midnight,' the show featured Tomlinson leading comedian panels through internet and pop-culture-themed games.
Why this matters:: This marks another change in the competitive late-night television sphere and highlights the challenges networks face in establishing new shows, especially following long-running predecessors like 'The Late Late Show'. It also signifies a major career move for Tomlinson, prioritizing live performance.
'After Midnight' was launched in early 2024 to fill the void left by James Corden's departure from 'The Late Late Show' in 2023. Helmed by rising comedy star Taylor Tomlinson, known for her Netflix specials like 'Quarter-Life Crisis' and 'Look At You,' the show aimed for a different, game-show-centric format rather than the traditional desk-and-couch setup.
Executive produced by Stephen Colbert, the show averaged around 700,000 viewers this season (excluding streaming). While offering light entertainment, reviews were somewhat mixed. Some critics, like USA TODAY's Kelly Lawler, felt the format, while seemingly novel, ultimately restricted Tomlinson, CBS's first female late-night host in that slot.
Tomlinson's decision to leave underscores her commitment to stand-up comedy. She is currently on her 'Save Me Tour.' The cancellation leaves a gap in CBS's late-night programming, raising questions about the network's future strategy for the post-Colbert time slot.
Why was 'After Midnight' canceled?
Although the show had been renewed, host Taylor Tomlinson chose to leave to return to full-time stand-up comedy touring, leading to the show's conclusion.
When is the last episode of 'After Midnight'?
The final episodes are scheduled to air in June 2025.
What show will replace 'After Midnight' on CBS?
CBS announced it will not air new, original programming in the 12:35 a.m. time slot next season. It's currently undecided if the network will keep the slot or return it to local stations.
The late-night TV schedule continues to evolve, with networks experimenting with formats beyond traditional talk shows.
Taylor Tomlinson is prioritizing her stand-up career, indicating a strong pull towards live performance for the comedian.
Viewers of 'After Midnight' will see the show conclude relatively soon, and the future of late-late-night programming on CBS remains uncertain for the upcoming season.
What are your thoughts on the cancellation of 'After Midnight'? Do you think game show formats work well in late-night slots?
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