Former late-night host Stephen Colbert made a surprise appearance on the public access program "Only in Monroe" in Monroe, Michigan, on Friday, May 22, 2026, just one day after his final episode of "The Late Show" on CBS.
The hourlong broadcast on Monroe Community Media marked Colbert's return to the small town of 20,000 people near the Ohio border, following a previous guest-hosting stint on the same local channel in July 2015.
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Colbert immediately joked about the recent cancellation of his national program, which coincided with Skydance acquiring CBS parent company Paramount.
"It's been an excruciating 23 hours without being on TV, so I am grateful to be able to be here on Monroe Community Media before they also get acquired by Paramount," Colbert said.
The comedian continued to poke fun at his former network's financial struggles and the changing media landscape during his opening monologue, recorded in front of a small, laughing off-camera crew.
"They're not?
And we don't have any sponsors, and we actually lost a lot of money making the show tonight?
Now I know how CBS felt," Colbert said.
The program featured several prominent Michigan natives, including musician Jack White, who served as deadpan volunteer musical director using a boombox and reel-to-reel tape deck.
"Looking forward to hearing some of your music, time permitting," Colbert said.
Colbert also ribbed CBS regarding modern digital platforms, referencing the global availability of the local Monroe broadcast.
"Viewers outside the greater Monroe area are able to view Monroe Community Media thanks to something known as streaming, which I promised not to learn about while I was on CBS," Colbert said.
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He added another sharp jab at his former network's corporate leadership: "And evidently, CBS also decided not to learn about it."
Jack White participated in a segment testing local food options, eating Monroe-style hot dogs on camera.
"Lady and the Tramp-style," White said.
The regular hosts of the public access program, Michelle Baumann and former Miss America 1988 Kaye Lani Rae Rafko Wilson, joined Colbert as guests to discuss Baumann's ongoing battle with cancer while inhaling helium from balloons.
Actor Jeff Daniels also sat for an interview, while Detroit rapper Eminem appeared on tape as a fire marshal, and actor Steve Buscemi recorded a comedic advertisement for a local pizzeria sharing his surname.
"I've got nothing to do with it," Buscemi said.
At the conclusion of the broadcast, Colbert destroyed the remnants of the set with White and Daniels before bidding farewell to the regular hosts and looking forward to a potential return in the distant future.
"Thank you for letting me host your show every 11 years," Colbert said.
Colbert provided no details about his upcoming career plans following his departure from CBS late-night television.
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"See you ladies again in 2037," Colbert said.
