Summary (tl;dr)

Stephen Colbert made a surprise return to television, guest-hosting the public access show "Only in Monroe" in Monroe, Michigan, less than 24 hours after his CBS program, "The Late Show," concluded its run. The special episode featured celebrity guests including Jeff Daniels, Jack White, Steve Buscemi, and Eminem.

Essential Background

Stephen Colbert had hosted "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" on CBS for nearly 11 years, following his successful run on "The Colbert Report". CBS announced the cancellation of "The Late Show" in July 2025, citing financial reasons, which brought Colbert's tenure to an end on Thursday, May 21, 2026. Interestingly, Colbert had previously guest-hosted "Only in Monroe" in 2015, just before he began his role on "The Late Show," making this a full-circle moment for the comedian.

The Full Story

On Friday, May 22, 2026, barely a day after his final "Late Show" broadcast, Stephen Colbert appeared as the guest host of "Only in Monroe," a public access show produced by Monroe Community Media in Monroe, Michigan. The hour-long episode was a comedic parody of local television, featuring segments about local news and a community calendar. The show garnered significant attention due to its unexpected nature and the star-studded lineup of guests, including Michigan native Jeff Daniels, who participated in an interview and helped destroy the set at the episode's conclusion, as well as Jack White acting as "volunteer musical director," and cameo appearances by Steve Buscemi and Eminem. Colbert playfully remarked on his swift return to air, quipping that it had been "an excruciating 23 hours without being on TV." Initially, CBS/Paramount issued copyright takedown notices for unauthorized uploads of the episode, but later clarified that the episode was produced and financed by CBS Studios and approved for distribution on Colbert's personal YouTube channel, "The Late Show's" channel, and Monroe Community Media's YouTube page.

Why It Matters

This unexpected appearance by Stephen Colbert on a local public access channel immediately following the end of his national late-night show has captivated audiences and media observers. It serves as a humorous and meta-commentary on the nature of television, celebrity, and local media, offering a stark contrast to his high-profile network career. The event has resonated with viewers interested in Colbert's next steps and the playful way he's engaging with his sudden departure from network television, highlighting the enduring charm and grassroots appeal of public access programming.

Geographic Location

• Monroe, Monroe County, Michigan, United States (Stephen Colbert guest-hosted "Only in Monroe" on Monroe Community Media)