Taylor Tomlinson Exits After Midnight — CBS Show Canceled After Two Seasons
Comedian Taylor Tomlinson leaves CBS’s After Midnight to return to stand-up comedy leading to the show’s cancellation. Discover why she quit network reactions and what’s next .
Comedian Taylor Tomlinson has officially announced her departure from After Midnight the CBS late-night panel show she hosted for two seasons. The decision marks a return to her first love — stand-up comedy — and brings an end to a show that had just begun finding its footing .
A Sudden Cancellation After Two Seasons
After Midnight premiered in January 2024 as a reboot of Comedy Central’s cult favorite @midnight taking the 1230 a.m. time slot following The Late Show . It was seen as a bold effort by CBS to inject fresh comedic energy into the post-midnight lineup and Tomlinson was hailed as a rising star capable of rejuvenating late-night TV .
Although CBS had quietly renewed the show for a third season Tomlinson’s unexpected decision to step down ultimately led to the show’s full cancellation. The final episode aired on June 12–13 2025 with no plans for a continuation .
Also Read : Army Service Member Strikes $1.3 Million in Pennsylvania Lottery
Why She Left “My First Love Is Stand-Up”
Tomlinson made it clear from the start that her primary passion remained with stand-up comedy . Balancing the demands of a nightly talk show with weekend touring had become increasingly difficult .
- “I was very clear about that in the interview process” she explained in comments shared by The Hollywood Reporter “This will never be my first love… stand-up is the most important thing to me” .
- On social media she echoed that sentiment in a farewell message to fans .
- “Being the host… was the experience of a lifetime… juggling touring and hosting… unsustainable… difficult decision to step away so I can focus on stand up” .
Network & Producer Reaction
Executive Producer Stephen Colbert offered his full support for Tomlinson’s choice .
“While we were excited… for our third season… we respect Taylor’s decision to return to stand-up full time” .
CBS also confirmed that it would not introduce a replacement show in the 1230 a.m . slot marking the first time in decades that the network will not produce original content for late-night after The Late Show .
Crew & Industry Response
Behind the scenes reports surfaced that the production team felt “blindsided” by the sudden end to the show . Many had anticipated a stable third season given its recent renewal . The move reflects broader industry trends — late-night TV has struggled with declining viewership reduced ad revenue and an increasing preference among comedians for more flexible formats like podcasting and touring .
What’s Next for Taylor Tomlinson
With After Midnight now in the rearview Tomlinson is returning full-time to her stand-up roots. She will resume her Save Me Tour and pursue other live comedy ventures . Her fanbase already loyal and growing from viral specials and podcast appearances is expected to follow her from screens back to stages .
Meanwhile CBS is expected to fill the late-night time slot with syndicated reruns like Comics Unleashed with no immediate plans for a new original series .
Timeline of Key Events
- January 2024 — After Midnight premieres
- June 2024 — CBS renews show for Season 2
- March 26 2025 — Tomlinson announces her exit CBS cancels the show
- June 12 2025 — Final episode airs
In Summary
Taylor Tomlinson’s exit from After Midnight ends a brief but notable chapter in CBS’s late-night history . Her choice to return to stand-up underlines the challenges facing traditional talk shows and the shifting priorities of modern entertainers . While CBS steps back from original post-midnight programming Tomlinson’s fans can look forward to seeing her where she shines brightest — on stage live and uncensored .