One day after CBS exit, Stephen Colbert pops up on local Michigan TV

Just one night after signing off from CBS’ “The Late Show,” Stephen Colbert was back behind a desk, this time on a quirky Michigan public access program that longtime fans may have recognized immediately.

Colbert made a surprise return Friday night as guest host of “Only in Monroe,” a local access show based in Monroe, reviving a bit he first pulled in 2015 before officially debuting as host of “The Late Show.” The appearance came less than 24 hours after Colbert taped his emotional CBS farewell.

“Since I was last here in Monroe, Michigan, I spent 11 years as the primary host of ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ on CBS, which came to an end last night,” Colbert said at the top of the broadcast. “It’s been an excruciating 23 hours without being on TV.”

The stunt paid off a joke Colbert made during Thursday’s finale, when he reminded viewers that his first unofficial “Late Show” broadcast in 2015 actually came from Monroe public access television “for an audience of 12 people.”

“Show business being what it is these days, that’s probably where you’ll see me next,” he said during the farewell monologue.

Michigan stars help power Colbert’s surprise TV return

Despite its intentionally bare-bones setup, the "Only in Monroe" broadcast featured several high-profile Michigan names. Jack White served as the show’s deadpan musical director, cueing music off a boombox and joking with Colbert during the hour-long episode.

Jeff Daniels also appeared in studio, reflecting on how he was technically Colbert’s first “Late Show” guest during a rehearsal interview back in 2015.

There were additional cameos including Eminem and Steve Buscemi. Eminem appeared in a segment in which Colbert sought permission to burn down the old “Only in Monroe” set.

Colbert also FaceTimed Byron Allen, jokingly warning his CBS successor that “Michigan public access is coming for you.”

‘The Late Show’ ends after 33 years

The "Monroe" appearance came one day after “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” aired its series finale, ending Colbert’s nearly 11-year tenure and closing the curtain on the franchise launched by David Letterman in 1993.

CBS announced in July 2025 that it was canceling “The Late Show,” citing financial reasons. The move sparked backlash from critics who questioned whether political pressure played a role, given Colbert’s frequent criticism of President Donald Trump and Paramount’s merger with Skydance Media, which was also approved in July 2025. Made official in August 2025, the merger resulted in Skydance CEO David Ellison, son of prominent Trump supporter Larry Ellison, becoming head of the new Paramount Skydance. 

Trump added fuel to the controversy Friday, May 22 by posting an AI-generated video on Truth Social depicting Colbert being thrown into a dumpster on the “Late Show” set.

The show's finale featured appearances from fellow late-night hosts Jon Stewart, Jimmy Kimmel and Seth Meyers, before closing with Paul McCartney performing the Beatles classic “Hello, Goodbye” inside the Ed Sullivan Theater.

Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at [email protected], or on X @athompsonUSAT