Taylor Tomlinson’s Shocking Exit Leaves Late-Night TV in Limbo

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Late-night TV has traditionally been dominated by men, and with Taylor Tomlinson leaving “After Midnight,” it’s now back to being an all-male hosting team once more. Tomlinson’s departure from the show signifies yet another instance where a woman in late-night television appears, only to depart prematurely. For two seasons on “After Midnight,” Tomlinson offered a contemporary, millennial viewpoint, making her one of the rare female hosts on a major network’s late-night roster.

As a devoted admirer, I must express my concerns over the uncertain fate of “After Midnight,” a show that has brought so much joy and laughter for over a year now. Sadly, Chris Hardwick, our beloved host, has decided to step away to focus on his stand-up career, which seems to hint at an end for this wonderful series.

Previously, the time slot occupied by “After Midnight” was graced by James Corden’s “The Late Late Show.” It is essential to note that “After Midnight” was a reboot of “@midnight,” a show that ran from 2013 to 2017.

Hardwick’s departure not only leaves the show in limbo but also leaves the late-night landscape lacking in female representation, reigniting the familiar discourse about gender imbalance in late-night TV.

Taylor Tomlinson’s Departure From ‘After Midnight’ Is a Surprise Announcement

In the sparse landscape of late-night television shows, the emergence of Taylor Tomlinson as a prominent figure was seen as a groundbreaking moment by many viewers. Recognized for her stand-up specials and quick wit, the selection of Tomlinson to host After Midnight, a revival of the much-loved Comedy Central series @midnight, was an astute move. The show, produced under the guidance of Stephen Colbert as executive producer, boasted all the key elements to introduce a breath of fresh air into CBS’ late-night programming lineup.

Following this revelation, it’s quite unexpected that Tomlinson is leaving the series after only two seasons, given earlier reports suggesting a third season for After Midnight. However, Tomlinson’s decision to exit the show isn’t due to network pressure or poor ratings. Instead, she expressed her intent to rekindle her love for stand-up comedy, which has always been her main passion. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, she stated in a release:

Participating in “After Midnight” has truly been a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I will always cherish and be thankful for the chance to be involved in such an amazing adventure. Despite it being a difficult choice, I recognized that it was time to go back to my original love and dedicate myself fully to stand-up comedy touring again.

Tomlinson’s line of thought is logical, but her departure from late-night TV leaves a void, particularly for those who were growing accustomed to her presence. Given that only a small number of women have been given the chance to host on major networks, despite the first ever late-night host being female, Tomlinson’s exit underscores the hurdles faced by women in this field. In essence, brief stints and limited scope for innovation suggest that late-night television remains a challenging environment for women.

What’s Next for ‘After Midnight’?

Following Tomlinson’s departure, it seems that the future of “After Midnight” may be uncertain. As confirmed by CBS, there won’t be a new host to fill Tomlinson’s shoes, and the 12:35 AM slot will no longer feature original programming. This implies that “After Midnight” may be coming to an end, with its final episodes from season two airing in June 2025, effectively closing the curtains on this series. Sharing his thoughts on Tomlinson’s decision, Colbert commented:

Although we were thrilled and appreciative for the commencement of our third season this fall, we understand and support Taylor’s choice to focus on stand-up comedy once more.

CBS’s choice to vacate the 12:30 AM time slot leaves a conspicuous gap, hinting at broader shifts in the TV industry. With more and more viewers moving towards streaming services and online content, traditional late-night shows are experiencing a drop in viewership. This decline might have influenced CBS’s decision to not replace After Midnight with another show. This move also signals for other networks to reassess the relevance of late-night slots in today’s media landscape – are they as captivating as they once were?

The Persistent Gender Gap in Late-Night Television

Despite Tomlinson leaving late-night television being attributed to personal matters, it’s worth noting that his departure continues a persistent trend – female hosts often face challenges in securing long-term success in late-night TV. Historically, this genre has predominantly been dominated by male hosts. Joan Rivers was one of the pioneers who ventured into this domain in 1986 with The Late Show, but her stint was brief. The next significant female-led late-night show emerged in 2007, with Chelsea Handler’s Chelsea Lately on the E! Network.

More recently, Samantha Bee’s “Full Frontal” and Lilly Singh’s “A Little Late” seemed to signal a promising breakthrough for women-led late-night shows. Unfortunately, both shows were eventually axed, leaving the late-night television landscape without any female presence again. Although Tomlinson’s arrival was an exceptional success, her departure underscores just how delicate the advancements made by women in this field can be. It’s worth mentioning that female comedians are thriving in other areas, with performers like Ali Wong, Nikki Glaser, and Michelle Wolf establishing successful careers through stand-up comedy and streaming performances. The struggle, it seems, lies primarily within the realm of late-night TV.

1. It appears that the departures of Taylor Tomlinson and previous women-led late-night TV shows suggest a need for increased support for female hosts in this field. This includes offering them equal chances to cultivate an audience, test formats, and enjoy the creative freedom necessary for growth, much like their male counterparts have. By making these changes, we can expect to see sustained representation rather than the brief appearances we’re seeing now.

2. The final episode of After Midnight will air in June 2025.

3. In case you missed it, After Midnight is currently streaming on Paramount+.

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2025-03-28 20:35