In a significant shake-up for late-night television, CBS has announced the cancellation of its comedy game show After Midnight, following host Taylor Tomlinson's decision to return to her first love: stand-up comedy. Tomlinson, who led the show for two seasons, expressed her desire to focus on her stand-up career, marking a growing trend among young comedians who are stepping away from traditional late-night formats.
On March 26, 2025, CBS confirmed that After Midnight would air its final episodes in June 2025, despite having been renewed for a third season just a week prior. Tomlinson, in a heartfelt statement, reflected on her time as host, saying, "Hosting After Midnight has genuinely been the experience of a lifetime, and I’ll be forever grateful for the opportunity to be part of this incredible journey. Though it was an extremely tough decision, I knew I had to return to my first passion and return to stand-up touring full-time." She thanked CBS, executive producer Stephen Colbert, and the entire staff for their support and dedication.
Colbert, who also serves as the host of CBS’s The Late Show, expressed his respect for Tomlinson's decision, stating, "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." This sentiment underscores a broader shift in the late-night television landscape, where high-profile hosts increasingly prioritize personal projects over traditional television commitments.
Tomlinson's departure is not an isolated incident. The late-night genre has seen a notable decline in recent years, with many hosts opting to leave their positions for opportunities in stand-up, podcasts, and other media formats. For instance, comedian Lilly Singh vacated her late-night slot on NBC’s A Little Late in 2021, and Trevor Noah announced his exit from The Daily Show in 2022, both citing a desire to explore other creative avenues.
The trend reflects a changing industry landscape where younger audiences are gravitating towards digital platforms, making traditional late-night shows less appealing. CBS's decision to cancel After Midnight and not replace it with new programming in the 12:30 a.m. slot signifies a retreat from the late-night format that has been a staple of the network since 1993.
Historically, CBS has been a significant player in late-night television, with original programming dating back to the era of David Letterman. However, as of the 2025-26 season, CBS will not have original content in that coveted time slot for the first time in three decades. This shift raises questions about the future of late-night television on the network and whether it will seek to revive its late-night offerings in the coming years.
Despite its mixed reviews, After Midnight aimed to innovate within the late-night genre by adopting a comedic game show format inspired by Comedy Central’s @midnight. The show featured a panel of comedians engaging in games linked to internet culture and pop phenomena, attempting to capture the attention of a younger audience. Yet, it struggled to carve out a distinct identity and faced criticism for its format, which some deemed limiting for Tomlinson's comedic talents.
Critics pointed out that while the show had its moments, it was often seen as a "half-baked cable timeslot filler." USA TODAY's TV critic Kelly Lawler noted that it was "an outright crime that CBS took its first female late-night host and gave her a crummy, cheap format." This criticism highlights the challenges faced by networks in adapting to the evolving preferences of viewers.
As CBS navigates this transition, it appears to be ceding its late-night programming to local affiliates, a move that may reflect broader financial constraints within the industry. Networks are increasingly hesitant to invest heavily in new shows, especially as audiences and advertising revenues dwindle. The late-night format, which relies on topical humor and a high volume of episodes, has struggled to find its footing in the streaming age, with many original talk shows on platforms like Netflix and Hulu facing cancellation after short runs.
The cancellation of After Midnight raises concerns about the future of late-night television as a whole. With major hosts like Noah and Tomlinson stepping away, and a lack of interest from younger comedians in traditional late-night roles, the genre may need to undergo a significant transformation to remain relevant.
As for Tomlinson, she is currently on her headlining Save Me Tour, which began on January 30, 2025, and she is set to perform in San Antonio on March 28, 2025. Her return to stand-up signifies not only a personal milestone but also reflects a broader movement among comedians seeking to reclaim their artistic autonomy in an industry that is rapidly changing.
In summary, the cancellation of After Midnight marks a pivotal moment in late-night television, highlighting the challenges faced by networks in retaining talent and adapting to the preferences of modern audiences. As comedians like Tomlinson prioritize their stand-up careers, the future of late-night programming remains uncertain.
