CBS Cancels ‘After Midnight’ as Taylor Tomlinson Returns to Stand-Up

NEW YORK — CBS Network is discontinuing its 12:35 a.m. show, ‘After Midnight’, even after renewing it for a third season. The cancellation was announced Wednesday, with host Taylor Tomlinson opting to refocus on her stand-up career and touring.

Despite a solid following, ‘After Midnight’ is set to conclude in June after two seasons. Tomlinson’s decision comes as she embraces her first passion, stand-up comedy, citing it as a tough yet necessary choice. “Hosting ‘After Midnight’ has genuinely been the experience of a lifetime,” she said in a statement. “I’ll be forever grateful for the opportunity to be part of this incredible journey.”

Executive producer Stephen Colbert also acknowledged Tomlinson’s impact during her tenure, stating, “We are grateful for our third season starting in the fall, but we respect Taylor’s decision to return to stand-up full time.”

‘After Midnight’, which premiered in January 2024, took over after ‘The Late Late Show With James Corden’ concluded its run. The show, a comedic panel format similar to Comedy Central’s ‘@midnight’, featured Tomlinson guiding fellow comedians through discussions related to pop culture and the internet. This season, the program averaged around 700,000 viewers weekly, excluding streaming numbers.

Taylor Tomlinson has achieved significant acclaim in the stand-up world, with three Netflix specials released in the last five years. She is currently touring with her ‘Save Me’ itinerary, which includes performances across the United States and Europe.

The decision to eliminate the late-night programming slot will not lead to new shows in the upcoming season, indicating CBS’s shift away from late-night content. ‘After Midnight’ was noted for its unique blend of comedy, games, and commentary, but the current environment for late-night shows has grown increasingly challenging.

The late-night landscape has changed dramatically in recent years, with many established hosts exiting or reducing their programming. This cancellation adds to the trend of diminishing late-night offerings across networks, a pivot underlined by hosts like Conan O’Brien and Samantha Bee also stepping back.

Colbert’s team produces ‘After Midnight’ through CBS Studios, alongside Spartina Industries and Funny Or Die. The show featured an array of executive producers, including Colbert, Carrie Byalick, and Jason U. Nadler.