Former Late Show Writers Joined The Tonight Show
Ariel Dumas and Asher Perlman have moved to the late-night program following the cancellation of their previous show.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Television
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Ariel Dumas and Asher Perlman have joined the writing staff of The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. This move follows the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, which aired its final episode in May 2026.
Why it matters
The transition of seasoned writers reflects the shifting landscape of late-night television after Paramount canceled The Late Show franchise, citing financial decisions. These writers bring experience from a program that achieved high industry recognition, including Emmy wins.
Paramount paid $16.6 million to settle a lawsuit regarding a Kamala Harris 60 Minutes interview. The Late Show previously won both Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series and Outstanding Variety Series.
The players
Ariel Dumas
She is the current sketch writing supervisor for The Tonight Show who previously wrote for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
Asher Perlman
He is a writer who transitioned to The Tonight Show staff after working on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert since 2019.
Jimmy Fallon
He is the long-running host of The Tonight Show which is a staple of American late-night television on NBC.
Stephen Colbert
He is the former host of The Late Show who took over the franchise from David Letterman in 2015.
Paramount
It is the media conglomerate that owned The Late Show and recently navigated a $16.6 million lawsuit settlement regarding a 60 Minutes interview.
The details
Dumas has taken on the role of sketch writing supervisor for The Tonight Show, a position she assumed following the awards season. Her colleague Asher Perlman, who joined The Late Show staff in 2019, moved to the new program alongside her following the end of the Colbert-led series.
Timeline
Stephen Colbert took over The Late Show in 2015.
Asher Perlman joined The Late Show staff in 2019.
The Late Show aired its final episode on May 21, 2026.
Jimmy Fallon stated his show is not political in September 2025.
Industry Dynamics
The hiring of these writers follows the pattern set by the 2026 cancellation of The Late Show, illustrating how talent migrates within the late-night ecosystem when franchises conclude. This movement highlights the consolidation of experienced staff within the remaining major network programs.
Viewers can expect to see the influence of these new writers in upcoming sketches on The Tonight Show. The shift ensures that creative talent from a critically acclaimed program continues to contribute to late-night content available on network television.
The takeaway
The movement of writers between major late-night shows is a common occurrence that ensures the continuity of comedic production. Fans of the genre can observe how different creative styles blend when writers transition from one host-led program to another.
Further reading
For more on the current state of the industry, visit the Television section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Daily Beast.
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