The End And The Beginning: 5 Shocking Changes To The Late Late Show Franchise In 2025

The Late Late Show, a franchise that spanned decades and continents, is currently in a state of radical transformation, marking a definitive shift in the landscape of late-night television as of December 2025. The version most familiar to American audiences—The Late Late Show with James Corden—concluded its run, but the story of the time slot and the show’s international counterpart is far more complex and surprising than a simple cancellation.

The decision by CBS to completely retire the traditional 12:37 AM talk show format in the US and replace it with a panel game show sent shockwaves through the industry. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, the world's longest-running chat show, the Irish *Late Late Show*, has undergone its own massive rebrand with a new host and a significantly altered format, proving that while one era has ended, another is just beginning.

The Final Bow: James Corden's Biography and The End of an Era (US)

The American iteration of *The Late Late Show* concluded its 28-year run on CBS on April 27, 2023, with host James Corden signing off after eight years. Corden's departure marked the end of the US franchise, which had been a staple of late-night programming since 1995.

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James Corden: A Brief Biography

• Full Name: James Kimberley Corden
• Born: August 22, 1978, in Hillingdon, London, England
• Wife: Julia Carey (m. 2012)
• Breakout Role: Co-creator, co-writer, and star of the hit BBC sitcom *Gavin & Stacey*.
• Late-Night Tenure: Host of *The Late Late Show with James Corden* from 2015 to 2023.
• Major Accolades: Tony Award winner (for *One Man, Two Guvnors*), multiple Emmy Awards (for *Carpool Karaoke*), and a BAFTA.
• Post-Show Focus: Corden stated his intention to return to the UK to spend more time with his family and pursue more dramatic acting roles.

The Legacy of Corden’s Late Late Show

Corden’s version was defined by its viral, pre-taped segments designed for social media sharing, fundamentally changing how a late-night show could succeed in the digital age. The show's two most famous segments became global phenomena.

• Carpool Karaoke: A segment featuring Corden driving celebrities and singing along to their hits, which was spun off into its own series.
• Crosswalk the Musical: A segment where Corden and guests perform musical numbers in a crosswalk during a traffic light change.
• Spill Your Guts or Fill Your Guts: A game where guests must answer personal questions or eat repulsive foods.

The final episode was a major event, featuring a final *Carpool Karaoke* with Adele and a farewell interview with Will Ferrell. The show’s conclusion was a deliberate choice by Corden and CBS to end the franchise, rather than simply replacing the host.

The New Dawn: Why CBS Replaced Talk with a Game Show

Perhaps the most shocking change is what CBS chose to fill the coveted 12:37 AM ET slot after Corden’s departure. Instead of hiring a new host to continue the traditional talk show format, the network opted for a radical departure: a reboot of the panel comedy game show @midnight.

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The new show, titled *After Midnight*, is hosted by comedian Taylor Tomlinson and is a significant bet on a new, lower-cost, and more digitally-friendly format. This decision signals a major shift in network strategy, moving away from the costly, traditional chat show model in the post-midnight hour.

The Rise of After Midnight and Taylor Tomlinson

*After Midnight* is a revival of the cult hit *@midnight*, which previously aired on Comedy Central. The show features a panel of three comedians competing in improvisational comedy games based on social media and internet culture.

• Host: Taylor Tomlinson, a rising star in stand-up comedy, known for her Netflix specials.
• Format: Panel game show, not a traditional monologue/interview format.
• Time Slot: 12:37 AM ET, the former home of *The Late Late Show*.
• Significance: This move officially retired the *Late Late Show* franchise in the US, ending a run that began with Tom Snyder in 1995.

The shift to a game show is a pragmatic move for the network, offering a product that is cheaper to produce, easily digestible in clips online, and less reliant on high-profile celebrity bookings compared to its predecessors. This marks the first time in nearly three decades that the 12:37 AM slot on CBS is not occupied by a traditional late-night talk show.

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A Lineage of US Late-Night Hosts

The US *Late Late Show* franchise was home to four distinct hosts, each bringing their own style to the post-midnight slot. The show was always positioned directly after *The Late Show* (hosted by David Letterman, and now Stephen Colbert).

• Tom Snyder (1995–1999): The original host, known for his intimate, one-on-one interviewing style and smoky atmosphere.
• Craig Kilborn (1999–2004): Brought a more sarcastic, self-aware, and satirical tone, transitioning from his work on *The Daily Show*.
• Craig Ferguson (2004–2014): Famous for his anarchic, stream-of-consciousness style, featuring puppets, a robot skeleton sidekick (Geoff Petersen), and a habit of tearing up his interview notes.
• James Corden (2015–2023): Focused on musical segments, group celebrity interactions, and viral content.

A Tale of Two Late Late Shows: Patrick Kielty's Irish Transformation

While the US version has been permanently retired, the Irish *Late Late Show* (broadcast on RTÉ) continues to thrive, but not without its own significant overhaul. This version is the world's longest-running chat show and has recently undergone a major transformation under its new host, Patrick Kielty.

Kielty took over the reins from long-time host Ryan Tubridy in September 2023, ushering in a series of format changes designed to modernize the venerable program and inject a new, fresh energy.

Key Format Changes Under Patrick Kielty

The new era of the Irish *Late Late Show* is defined by a more focused, shorter, and audience-centric approach, directly contrasting the sprawling, often lengthy broadcasts of the past.

1. Shorter Running Time: The show’s length has been trimmed to approximately 90 minutes, making it more concise and focused than its previous, often two-hour-plus run time.
2. New Host: Comedian Patrick Kielty brings a fresh, comedic perspective and a more spontaneous energy to the show.
3. Redesigned Set and Logo: The studio and branding have been updated with a new blue and white logo and a redesigned set to give the show a modern feel.
4. Increased Audience Focus: There is a greater emphasis on audience interaction and participation, making the show feel more live and communal.
5. Reduced Episode Count: Kielty hosts a reduced number of live episodes per season compared to his predecessors, indicating a shift toward quality over quantity.

This dual narrative—the US show ending and being replaced by a game show, and the Irish show continuing with a radical rebrand—highlights the challenges and evolution of late-night television in the digital age. The *Late Late Show* franchise, in its various forms, remains a powerful, albeit changing, force in global entertainment.