Late-night talk shows might be on life support after The Late Show with Stephen Colbert signed off last month, but a scrappy new comedy is ready to revive—or completely wreck—the format. ShowtimeSpot has your exclusive first look at the trailer for It's Getting Late with Owen Reed, a mockumentary series that dives headfirst into the backstage pandemonium of a low-budget chat show.
The trailer introduces us to Alex Teller (Marissa Pistone, Raze), a rookie showrunner who's already running on fumes. She's juggling furious crew members, spontaneous dance-offs, and a guy in a dog suit who genuinely believes he's a guard dog—all while battling her own impostor syndrome. To make matters worse, a documentary crew is capturing every meltdown, and they might just be around to film the show's cancellation. The entire pilot was improvised live on stage with real guests and a real audience, giving it an unpredictable, raw energy.
From 'America's Got Talent' to Late-Night Mayhem
Creator Ryan Dougall, a five-year veteran of America's Got Talent, drew heavily from his own experiences to craft this series. He describes it as a hybrid of The Office and The Larry Sanders Show, blending workplace comedy with the absurdity of live television. The series will have its world premiere at the iconic TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California, on June 27—a fittingly grand stage for such a chaotic debut.
Meet the Cast of 'It's Getting Late with Owen Reed'
Stand-up comedian Jeremiah Watkins steps into the host's chair as Owen Reed himself. The ensemble cast includes Mark Schroeder (Earthling Cinema), Abdul Seidu (Poser), Honey Lauren (Bram Stoker's Dracula), Alexa Blair Robertson (Terrifier 3), Hank Chen (The Angriest Man in Brooklyn), Luke Barnett (Faith Based), Lance Kinsey (Police Academy), and stand-ups Jared Nathan and Tony Baker playing themselves. Also joining the chaos is Brandon 'BONAVEGA' Wilbarger, an America's Got Talent alum whose bombastic performances made him a fan favorite in 2020.
Shot on location in Reseda, Los Angeles, It's Getting Late with Owen Reed is a Windowpane Productions project written and directed by Dougall. If you're craving more behind-the-scenes drama, check out our exclusive look at Haim Mazar's 'Scary Movie Suite' or see how 'The Mandalorian and Grogu' outran 'The Marvels' at the box office.
With its mix of improv, celebrity cameos, and sheer disarray, It's Getting Late with Owen Reed promises to be a wild ride for anyone who's ever wondered what happens when a talk show goes completely off the rails. Mark your calendars for June 27—and maybe bring a fire extinguisher.
