Why Taylor Tomlinson and Other Young Late-Night Hosts Choose Creator Economy Over TV

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One of the most coveted jobs in television is quickly becoming one of the hardest to keep filled.

Taylor Tomlinson has chosen to step down from her role on “After Midnight,” a two-season-old late-night talk show on CBS, despite the network’s offer for a third season this fall and the support of Stephen Colbert, host of “The Late Show” that airs an hour prior. Tomlinson made the announcement on Wednesday. CBS is not currently looking to replace her in the 12:30 AM time slot.

She has teamed up with Trevor Noah and Roy Wood Jr., following a recent wave of individuals who held prestigious late-night positions but sought greater autonomy. It’s possible that the next Johnny Carson won’t require a network like NBC, or any other broadcaster, to make a success of their show.

Tomlinson attributed her success to her dedication to stand-up comedy, which initially gained her recognition on social media and attracted executives from CBS. It’s possible that the comedian is considering additional prospects in the future, as she might not be able to pursue them while remaining committed to CBS’ late-night programs, according to a source close to her thoughts. In an Instagram post on Wednesday, she expressed that balancing touring and hosting the show has become untenable, leading her to make the tough choice to step down so she can concentrate on stand-up comedy. She also mentioned that the program had challenged her in new ways.

She isn’t unique in experiencing a sense of connection at midnight. Both Jay Leno and Bill Maher have been consistently touring, with Leno hosting NBC’s “Tonight Show” and Maher leading HBO’s “Real Time.” However, it’s only recently that Maher has suggested he would stop touring. He mentioned his advancing age as one reason, along with a growing passion for his own podcast.

As a devoted fan, I’d say it’s undeniable that Conan O’Brien stands out among the current era’s late-night hosts. Unlike many of his peers, he broke away from the traditional “Tonight” show format in 2010 and moved to cable, specifically TBS, which is now owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. Before concluding his tenure in 2021, Conan reduced the duration of his show from an hour to half an hour, then opted to explore new media opportunities instead of sticking with the midnight talk show routine. In a press conference in 2018, he pointed out that today’s viewers don’t engage with “Saturday Night Live” as they used to. The format of having two or three guests and asking the audience to tune in tomorrow no longer resonates as it once did.

In the digital age, he achieved remarkable success. Following the creation of a Team Coco podcast and a digital studio, O’Brien subsequently sold this business to SiriusXM in 2022 for an estimated $150 million. The humorist has recently accepted the invitation to host the 2026 Oscars, having made his debut as the event’s presenter this year, which is typically aired on ABC.

Running a late-night talk show is no simple task. Each episode requires fresh, relevant humor, a diverse lineup of guests and musicians, as well as weekly surprises to keep audiences engaged. In today’s digital age, the challenge has grown even greater because viewers can easily catch up on Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert, or Jimmy Kimmel’s episodes the next day through YouTube or various social media platforms.

Instead of letting the task overwhelm you, consider regaining some creativity and individuality by adopting an approach similar to Mr. Beast.

As an admirer, I’m struck by the thriving landscape of the “creator economy.” Based on a report from eMarketer, it seems that creator-driven ventures are projected to triple their revenue between 2021 and 2024, reaching a staggering $880 million. This growth is attributed to various income streams such as tips, subscriptions, and merchandise sales in the year 2024.

Most independent creators typically won’t make the amount of money that a traditional late-night TV show generates, but they don’t necessarily need to. Unlike a TV network, an individual creator doesn’t have investors breathing down their necks for meeting quarterly revenue targets or shareholders concerned about stock performance. While a TV network requires hundreds of millions of dollars to stay afloat, a solo comedy performer does not have this same financial pressure.

Given the shifting circumstances, it’s not surprising that Trevor Noah announced in 2022, in front of a live audience, his intention to depart from Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show” after seven years as its host. Since then, he has taken on hosting roles for awards shows, podcasts, and tours, among other ventures. Initially considered a potential replacement for Noah, Roy Wood left “Daily” in 2023, expressing his dissatisfaction with the network’s failure to appoint a permanent successor after Noah’s departure, and the opportunity to embark on new endeavors. Currently, Wood is hosting a weekend topical-comedy show on CNN titled “Have I Got News For You,” and will also be hosting the Peabody Awards.

Due to the convenience that digital media offers for comics to connect with their fans, the profession of an established late-night host has become increasingly challenging. Some longtime midnight team members are experiencing financial strain. For instance, NBC eliminated the band from Seth Meyers’ “Late Night” and reduced Jimmy Fallon’s “Tonight Show” appearances from five nights a week to four.

It’s possible that the older hosts may adopt trends set by the younger generation, with some assistance. Colbert has ventured into other CBS projects, such as producing “After Midnight” and organizing a celebrity pickleball tournament. Meanwhile, Fallon has branched out into game shows, literature, and even a SiriusXM holiday-themed radio channel in recent times.

Even today, creating your own media platform has become more straightforward than ever before. Furthermore, humor isn’t limited to airing only after 11:30 PM; it can still effectively bring laughter to people at any hour.

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2025-03-27 22:17