CBS Reverses Stephen Colbert Clip Crackdown After Backlash
CBS reversed its crackdown on uploading clips from The Stephen Colbert Show following public backlash, signaling a retreat and a more permissive stance toward fan uploads.
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CBS Fires Back as Colbert Says Goodbye
CBS allegedly froze out Stephen Colbert after he mocked Tony Dokoupil and CBS News; Colbert's finale of The Late Show roasted President Trump and drew about 6.74 million viewers, with appearances by Paul McCartney, Bryan Cranston and others. CBS described the exit as a financial decision, coming after Colbert had criticized CBS's Trump settlement, and Trump responded with a Truth Social tirade after the finale.
CBS pauses takedown notices on Colbert's Monroe public-access episode
CBS has paused enforcing copyright takedown notices for Stephen Colbert’s Monroe local-access episode after backlash; CBS says the segment was financed and produced by CBS Studios and posted on Colbert's YouTube channel, and it will waive enforcement for now while it reviews the practice, leaving open future collaboration or renewed enforcement.
Colbert shifts to YouTube after CBS exit with Michigan public access debut
After CBS canceled The Late Show, Stephen Colbert launched a YouTube channel and posted his May 22 hosting gig on the Michigan public access show Only in Monroe. The episode featured guests like Jack White, Eminem, Jeff Daniels, Steve Buscemi and Byron Allen, who has bought Colbert’s CBS timeslots. CBS says the Monroe episode was financed by CBS Studios and posted in collaboration with Monroe Community Media and The Late Show’s YouTube channels, and, while typical takedown notices were paused for this episode, they plan further review of enforcement.
Tracker Season 4 to Bring Major Cast Shakeups on CBS
CBS’s Tracker has been renewed for a fourth season, with the Season 3 finale airing May 24. The piece notes a major cast shakeup ahead of Season 4 and offers predictions on who will return or depart, with Justin Hartley starring as Colter Shaw.
Allen Not Replacing Colbert: Comics Unleashed Goes Politics-Free in Late Show Slot
Byron Allen says he isn’t trying to replace Stephen Colbert as Comics Unleashed takes over the 11:35 p.m. slot with a politics-free, joke-focused format; CBS and Paramount have not issued restrictions, and Allen emphasizes the show has its own audience built over 20 years. He praises Colbert as an American treasure and notes there’s no plan to target Colbert’s audience, stressing the goal of uniting viewers through comedy after Colbert’s final episode on May 21. Comics Unleashed airs weeknights at 11:35 p.m. ET.
Queen Latifah to Host Star-Studded 52nd American Music Awards on Memorial Day
The 52nd American Music Awards will air May 25, 2026 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, live coast-to-coast on CBS and streaming on Paramount+, with Queen Latifah hosting. The show features a star-studded lineup including Billy Idol, Karol G, Darius Rucker with Hootie & the Blowfish, a live BTS appearance, and performances by artists such as KATSEYE, Keith Urban, Maluma, New Kids on the Block, The Pussycat Dolls + Busta Rhymes, Twenty One Pilots, and more. Presenters include Alysa Liu, Anthony Ramos, Hilary Duff, John Legend, Paula Abdul, and others. There will be red-carpet livestreams, an Entertainment Tonight special, a Veterans’ Voice Award presented by USAA, and fan voting for Social Song of the Year and Tour of the Year.
CBS Halts Copyright Takedowns After Colbert’s Monroe Surprise
CBS paused further enforcement of copyright takedown notices after backlash over its action against Stephen Colbert’s surprise appearance on Only in Monroe, a CBS Studios–financed episode later posted on Colbert’s YouTube channel; CBS said the notices are standard practice but would be waived for this episode during a review. The Late Show ended May 21, and Comics Unleashed will take over the 11:35 p.m. slot, as Colbert pursues future projects including a Tolkien-inspired film.
Tracker Finale: Russell Returns as Colter Faces a Dark Research Case
Tracker's Season 3 finale sees Colter Shaw and his brother Russell confront a dangerous case tied to a nefarious research project, with Jensen Ackles returning as Russell; the episode "The Best Ones" airs May 24, 2026 on CBS (9–10 PM ET/PT) and streams on Paramount+.
CBS Pauses Takedowns on Colbert’s Monroe Public-Access Episode
CBS-Unauthorised takedown notices on bootleg uploads of Stephen Colbert’s Monroe public-access episode were waived “for now” after outcry. The episode was financed by CBS Studios, features Jack White’s music and a Jeff Daniels appearance, and is protected by The Late Show’s copyright. Official copies are available on Colbert’s YouTube channel and Monroe Community Media, with wider clips circulating elsewhere, but CBS indicated it would pause enforcement while reviewing the situation.
Allen taps CBS's late-night hour for a gentler Comics Unleashed panel
Byron Allen is leasing CBS's 11:35 p.m. slot to air Comics Unleashed—a panel show designed not to offend—marking a Carson-era nod as CBS shifts away from Colbert’s late-night format.
Colbert’s Late Show Finale Breaks Weeknight Viewing Records
Stephen Colbert’s Late Show finale drew about 6.7 million viewers on Thursday, the largest weeknight audience of his 11-year run, aided by a longer episode and a Paul McCartney appearance; CBS notes caveats, including comparisons to Letterman-era highs and a 2016 post-Super Bowl spike. In Q1 2026 the show averaged roughly 2.7 million viewers per night, while rivals aired repeats on finale night; CBS is replacing The Late Show with Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen and a second time-buy show, signaling ongoing shifts in the late-night landscape.
Colbert Resurfaces on Michigan Community TV After CBS Exit
Stephen Colbert was briefly booted from CBS and returned to television the next day on a Michigan community-access channel, signaling a quick pivot to local airwaves after the CBS incident.
Byron Allen’s Comics Unleashed Lands in CBS’s 11:35 Slot With Familiar Lineup
CBS has released the first guest lineup for Byron Allen’s Comics Unleashed in the 11:35 p.m. slot, signaling continuity with the show's familiar format rather than a star-driven reboot; the premiere night features Hannah Dickinson, Mark Smalls, Lance Woods, and Joe Sib, with a rotating roster of working comics throughout the week, and the program will continue its half-hour new episode followed by a repeat, under Allen Media Group’s time-buy deal with CBS.
Trump Cheers Colbert’s Final Late Show Exit
Trump spent the night celebrating Stephen Colbert’s final Late Show on Truth Social, calling Colbert untalented and predicting the “Beginning of the End” for late-night hosts; Colbert’s farewell episode aired the next morning as a somber tribute to late-night TV.