Stephen Colbert made a surprise TV comeback the other day after his CBS finale to host a public access program in Monroe, Michigan.
“It’s been 23 hours without watching TV, so I’m glad I was able to be here at Monroe Community Media before it was acquired by Paramount,” Colbert, 62, joked as he opened his monologue. Only in Monroe on Friday, May 22.
In fact, this comedian has a long history with Only in Monroeas he has applied for hosts Michelle Baumann again By Lani Rafko-Wilson while preparing his own The Late Show started in July 2015.
Colbert even threw in an Easter egg in the finale The Late Show monologue in reference to his appearance in 2015 Only in Monroejoking that “show business being what it is these days, that’s probably where you’ll see me next.”
“Since I ended up here in Monroe, Michigan, I spent 11 years as the chief executive of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on CBS, which came to an end last night,” he explained on Friday Only in Monroe episode.
Colbert then laughed, “Viewers outside of the greater Monroe area are able to watch Monroe Community Media because of something known as live streaming, which I promised I wouldn’t learn about when I was at CBS. And apparently CBS decided not to learn about either.”
Throughout the hour-long episode, Colbert discussed local issues and was joined by celebrity guests, including Jack White as his music director and actor Jeff Daniels. Eminem again Steve Buscemi recorded cameos aired during the special Only in Monroe episode.
He also spoke to him Byron Allenwhose show Open Jokes will replace it The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on CBS.
“Byron, have a good show,” he told Allen, 65. “You’re the best, buddy.”
The final episode of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” is May 21, 2026.
CBS/Scott KowalchykUnusual Only in MonroeThe episode ended with Colbert, Daniels, 71, and White, 50, burning down the show’s set after getting permission from the “fire marshal” (aka Marshall “Eminem” Mathers, 53.)
“That’s a wrap,” Colbert announced. “Thanks for watching Only in Monroe and if you’ve watched my other talk shows over the years, thanks for watching those too!”
He then teased, “Until we meet again, I’ll be here only, only Only in Monroe!”
CBS announced in July 2025 that it was canceling The Late Show with Stephen Colbert despite the dominance of the late-night series.
“The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will end its historic run in May 2026 at the end of the broadcast season. We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and he will retire The Late Show at the time,” a CBS statement read at the time. “We are proud that Stephen called CBS home. He and the broadcasters will be remembered in the group of celebrities who ate bronze on television at night.”
CBS confirmed that the decision to terminate The Late Show they were ‘financial’ and “not related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters going on at Paramount.”
Colbert concluded The Late Show with a star-studded final week of episodes featuring guest appearances Bruce Springsteen, Ryan Reynolds again Paul McCartneyamong others. He made a splash on CBS during Thursday’s finale by having his band play expensive licensed music and ending with a CGI scene of the Ed Sullivan Theater being brought in on the green.
