CBS cancels ‘After Midnight’ as late-night host Taylor Tomlinson returns to her ‘first passion’ — stand-up comedy
CBS announced the cancellation of its late-night comedy show “After Midnight” on Wednesday following host Taylor Tomlinson’s unexpected decision to return full-time to stand-up comedy.
The cancellation marks yet another setback for late-night TV, a format increasingly challenged by financial pressures and changing viewer habits.
“After Midnight,” which aired at 12:30 a.m., debuted in January 2024 as an experimental replacement for “The Late Late Show,” which ended when James Corden left CBS in 2023.
The network had previously committed to a third season of “After Midnight,” initially scheduled for September through May, but reversed the decision when Tomlinson opted to leave. The show’s final episode will air in June.
Tomlinson, 31, said she intended to focus fully on stand-up comedy, her “first passion.”
Her departure was unexpected, prompting CBS executives to reconsider their late-night strategy altogether.
Stephen Colbert, who served as an executive producer of “After Midnight” in addition to hosting “The Late Show,” addressed Tomlinson’s decision with respect, saying: “While we were excited and grateful for our third season to start in the fall, we respect Taylor’s decision to return to stand-up full time.”
Tomlinson is known for her sharp wit and relatable humor, often drawing from personal experiences in her routines.
She gained national recognition through Netflix specials and late-night appearances, leading to her hosting role on the now-defunct CBS show.
CBS’s move effectively ends three decades of original 12:30 a.m. programming, a tradition that began in 1995 with “The Late Late Show” following David Letterman’s arrival from NBC.
Prior to establishing original content at that hour, the network commonly filled the slot with repeats of underperforming dramas.
The cancellation highlights the broader challenges confronting late-night programming.
As traditional TV continues to lose ground to streaming services, audience sizes and advertising revenues have steadily declined.
Additionally, the streaming model has proven ill-suited to traditional late-night formats reliant on topical humor and numerous episodes.
Platforms like Netflix and Hulu have launched similar talk-show style programs, only to discontinue nearly all of them after brief runs.
The shrinking late-night market has also reflected changing attitudes among hosts. Rather than treating late-night gigs as lifelong appointments, many hosts now prioritize flexibility and diverse career opportunities.
Trevor Noah exited “The Daily Show” voluntarily in 2022, citing desires to explore new ventures, while James Corden left “The Late Late Show” with similar ambitions.
Some former hosts have successfully transitioned to new formats.
Conan O’Brien, previously with NBC and TBS, revitalized his career through podcasts, subsequently earning him the hosting role for this month’s Academy Awards.
With “After Midnight” shutting down and CBS opting out of the late-night timeslot, the network appears less likely to revisit the format.
Instead, CBS may lean further into alternatives better aligned with changing viewer patterns.
As late-night television faces continued uncertainty, networks are increasingly reassessing the sustainability and future direction of a once staple genre.
