Stephen Colbert guest-hosted the public-access television program "Only in Monroe" in Monroe, Michigan, on Friday night [1].
The appearance marks a sudden return to broadcasting for the comedian and former host of The Late Show. By transitioning from a major network to a local access station, Colbert has highlighted a stark contrast in production scale immediately following his departure from CBS.
The episode aired at 11:35 p.m. on May 22, 2026 [2]. Colbert said the move was driven by a personal need to remain on screen, noting that he felt "excruciating" after spending 23 hours without being on TV [3].
Despite the small-scale nature of the Monroe County station, the broadcast featured several high-profile guest appearances. The program included Jack White, Jeff Daniels, and Eminem [1, 4]. Some reports also indicated that Steve Buscemi appeared in the episode [1].
Colbert used the platform to take shots at CBS following the finale of his long-running late-night program [5]. The move to a public-access format allowed him to return to a hosting role almost immediately after signing off from his network duties [6].
This surprise appearance in Michigan comes just one day after the final taping of his network show [5]. The broadcast serves as a bridge between his tenure at a national network and his future projects, utilizing a hyper-local medium to maintain his presence in the public eye [4].
“"It's been an excruciating 23 hours without being on TV, so I am grateful to be able to be here."”
Colbert's decision to host a local public-access show immediately after leaving a national network suggests a desire to maintain professional momentum while exercising creative independence. By bypassing traditional network contracts for a low-stakes local broadcast, he demonstrates the ability of established celebrities to leverage niche platforms for immediate visibility and satirical commentary.
