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CELEBRITY EXTRA #12345_20260608
FOR RELEASE JUNE 8, 2026
BYLINE: By Dana Jackson
Photo Credit: Depositphotos
Photo Caption: Craig Ferguson ("The Late Late Show")
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Q:Is the network going to replace Stephen Colbert with another host? I really liked Craig Ferguson's show and wish he'd come back. -- L.D.
A: After the cancellation of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," CBS filled the time slot with two comedy shows -- "Comics Unleashed" and "Funny You Should Ask." The former is a round-table talk-show format that features comedians who trade jokes with host Byron Allen (who's emphasized that they would avoid all political topics). The second half-hour is a comedy game show hosted by Jon Kelley with comedians competing as guests.
In an interview with NPR, Allen, who produces both shows, said that he isn't trying to replace Colbert. He calls him an "American treasure," while also admitting: "Not everybody's gonna love me. But there is that one or two percent that would be like, 'Hell yeah, I'm rolling with you.'" You might not know this, but "Comics Unleashed" had already been on the air in syndication for two decades before replacing "The Late Show" in May.
As for Craig Ferguson, who hosted "The Late Late Show" on CBS from 2005-2014, he's now hosting a five-part documentary series on CNN with the same title as his 2009 memoir -- "American on Purpose" -- where he travels from coast to coast. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Ferguson's journey explores "topics like the First Amendment, individualism, capitalism, patriotism, and the immigrant experience." It also features appearances from Jay Leno, Tiffany Haddish and Jason Biggs.
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Q:What ever happened to Ellie Kemper? I haven't seen her in anything but commercials since the hilarious "Kimmy Schmidt" show ended. -- Y.N.
A: The talented Ellie Kemper went from "The Office," to the hit comedy film "Bridesmaids," to starring in her own Tina Fey comedy series "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt." Her career has slowed down a little, but she's probably just looking for a project of equal caliber.
In 2023, Kemper was set to star in a new comedy for ABC called "Drop-Off," but for some reason, the network didn't pick it up after the pilot was filmed. She does have a lucrative commercials deal with Kohl's, but her fans are eager to see her in a scripted comedy once again. She's also appeared as a guest host for almost 30 episodes of "Today's" third and fourth hours, so perhaps she's pivoting into hosting gigs, in addition to acting.
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Q: Is it true that they're canceling "Access Hollywood"? How long has it been on the air? -- G.G.
A:Yes, the long-running syndicated entertainment magazine show "Access Hollywood" and its companion series, "Access Daily," have been canceled. According to Entertainment Weekly, NBCUniversal has chosen to end all of its first-run syndicated programming, which includes these two long-running shows. "Access Hollywood" has aired for roughly 30 years. Conversely, CBS Media Ventures just renewed competitor "Entertainment Tonight" for its 46th season.
Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com.
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