Stephen Colbert’s Departure from ‘The Late Show’
Stephen Colbert is set to leave ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ after an impressive 11-year tenure. Starting on 22 May, his 11:35 pm time slot will be taken over by ‘Comics Unleashed’, a comedy program hosted by Byron Allen, under a time-buy agreement with Allen Media Group. The 12:37 am slot will also be occupied by another Allen production, the game show ‘Funny You Should Ask’. Here are some key details about Allen’s career, personal life, and perspectives.
Not a Trump Supporter
One of the first questions that people have asked about Colbert’s replacement is whether he supports Donald Trump. Given the ongoing rumors that Colbert was removed from his long-time position as host of ‘The Late Night With Stephen Colbert’, fans were concerned about Allen’s political views.
For clarity, Allen is not a supporter of Trump. In fact, he is a well-known critic of the US president. Last year, he responded strongly to the president’s comments on fake news.
“President Trump is completely wrong. What he’s not understanding is that he’s nothing more than temporary hired help. He works for the American people. He answers to us, we don’t answer to him. The American people, we are the boss, we run it. Thank God we have the media or else I think we might all be drinking Lysol right now, and we don’t need to be drinking Lysol,” he stated during an interview.
A Happily Married Family Man
Beyond his political stance, Allen is a devoted family man. He has been married to his wife, Jennifer Lucas, since 2007. Lucas works as a writer and a TV film producer. The couple, often referred to as a ‘power duo’ in the industry, has three children together: Chloe Ava, Olivia Rose, and Lucas Byron.
Massive Net Worth
Allen’s net worth is estimated at $1 billion (£745 million). Over the years, he has built a significant media empire through his Allen Media Group, along with his long-standing career as a stand-up comedian. Despite his considerable income, Allen is not as widely recognized as other Hollywood figures. However, his empire spans television networks, production companies, and major acquisitions.
Allen began his career as a stand-up comedian on ‘The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson’. His success as one of the youngest comedians to perform on the show led to a regular role in the NBC television series ‘Real People’.
In 1991, Allen founded Entertainment Studios, marking his official shift from comedy to business. In 2009, he launched six HD television networks. Nine years later, he purchased The Weather Channel television network for $300 million (£237 million).
Early Life
Allen was born on April 22, 1961, in Detroit, Michigan. He grew up in Los Angeles. His mother used to work at the NBC studios in Burbank. As a child, he would accompany his mother to the studio and was allowed to explore the set.
Why ‘The Late Night With Stephen Colbert’ Was Cancelled
Colbert denied claims that his late-night program was cancelled due to his political stands and comments against Trump. He explained that the show was axed because of rising production costs and a declining late-night market. The show’s replacement, ‘Comics Unleashed and Funny You Should Ask’, will take over the 11:35 pm and 12:35 am time slots after the last episode of Colbert’s show airs on 21 May.
