Byron Allen vows no politics in Colbert's old time slot, doesn't care 'who you vote for'

"What I'm doing with 'Comics Unleashed,' we don't talk about politics. We don't talk about anything that's topical," Allen told CNN's Michael Smerconish. "We don't do anything that's racist or sexist or antisemitic or homophobic. Just be funny and don't offend."

Smerconish pressed Allen on whether viewers would look for political leanings in the program, which arrives one night after Colbert ends his 11-year run as host of "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert."

"A lot of eyes are going to be on your program to see, well, what are the political leanings? What can they read into it?" Smerconish asked.

He compared his approach to an apolitical business model associated with NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan.

"I don't care who you vote for. I don't care," Allen said. "I'm here to make people laugh. You're going to vote who you're going to vote for, no matter what I say. It doesn't matter. It's not my business, do what you do. I'm here to make you laugh."

Colbert's final show will air on May 21, 2026.

"I really like Stephen Colbert. I think he is a magnificent human being... He's a super talent, I believe he is an American treasure."

Allen said in CBS' announcement that he created "Comics Unleashed" to give stand-up comics a platform.

"I created and launched 'Comics Unleashed' 20 years ago so my fellow comedians could have a platform to do what we all love - make people laugh," Allen said. "The world can never have enough laughter."