Two days after concluding his highly successful eleven-year tenure as host of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on CBS, Stephen Colbert made a surprising and decidedly unscripted return to television, this time gracing the airwaves of a local public access channel in Monroe, Michigan. The unexpected appearance, which aired on Friday, May 22nd, at 11:35 p.m., offered a stark contrast to the polished production of his network show, yet resonated with a unique brand of humor and local charm that has become a hallmark of Colbert’s career.
The appearance on Only in Monroe was not entirely out of the blue for die-hard fans. Colbert himself had alluded to the possibility during his farewell episode on Thursday, May 20th. He referred to a prior guest hosting stint on the Michigan show in July 2015, just months before he officially took the reins of The Late Show from David Letterman. At the time, Colbert had interviewed rapper Eminem, a native of nearby St. Joseph, Michigan, on the public access program. "Technically our first show," Colbert had quipped during his finale, "for an audience of 12 people. And show business being what it is these days, that’s probably where you’ll see me next." This playful prediction proved remarkably prescient.
Only in Monroe, hosted by Michelle Baumann and Kaye Lani Rae Rafko Wilson (Miss America 1988), provided a fittingly quirky backdrop for Colbert’s post-network television debut. The broadcast on Friday night was a deliberate dive into Michigan’s cultural landscape, attracting significant attention due to its surprise guest and the star-studded lineup he brought with him. The episode, which followed Colbert’s CBS farewell that garnered an impressive 6.74 million viewers, demonstrated the enduring appeal of the comedian and his ability to connect with audiences across different platforms.
The Michigan-based public access show became a stage for a unique blend of local flavor and celebrity participation. Renowned musician Jack White, a Detroit native, stepped in as the volunteer musical director for the episode, infusing the broadcast with a distinct sonic identity. Adding to the star power, acclaimed actor Jeff Daniels, also a Michigan resident, made an appearance to meticulously craft and present a sandwich he had previously described on The Late Show. This culinary creation, a reportedly hand-crumbled Ruffles and peanut butter sandwich drizzled with Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauce, was a callback to a memorable March appearance where Daniels had detailed its construction.
Further solidifying the episode’s local ties, actor Steve Buscemi appeared in a public service announcement for Buscemi’s Pizza, a Monroe-based pizza chain. In a humorous twist, Buscemi, who has no actual affiliation with the establishment, used the PSA to clarify this exact point. "All I know is Buscemi’s exists. I exist. We have the same name. And that’s where any connection ends," he stated, adding a layer of meta-comedy to the local advertisement.
Colbert also engaged in a brief FaceTime call with Byron Allen, a Detroit native who has since taken over the Late Show timeslot with his syndicated program, Comics Unleashed. This interaction underscored the changing landscape of late-night television and the various avenues content creators are exploring. The regular hosts of Only in Monroe, Baumann and Wilson, joined Colbert in partaking in shots of Cain & Grain whiskey, produced by the River Raisin Distillery in Manchester, Michigan, further celebrating the local spirit of the region.
The culmination of the Only in Monroe episode was a dramatic and symbolic act of deconstruction. In a scene that echoed the often-chaotic energy of public access television and the finality of Colbert’s network departure, he, alongside Jack White and Jeff Daniels, proceeded to dismantle the show’s existing set. This former iteration of the set, no longer in active use by the show, was then unceremoniously placed into a flaming dumpster and set ablaze. This fiery finale served as a visually striking metaphor for closure and a bold statement about embracing new beginnings.
Adding a final touch of regulatory humor to the pyrotechnics, rapper Eminem, who hails from nearby St. Joseph, Michigan, provided a video message granting the "fire marshal all-clear" for the blaze. Colbert had jokingly insisted on obtaining official approval before proceeding with the fiery send-off, a testament to his meticulous planning even in the most informal of settings.
Colbert’s departure from The Late Show marked the end of an era for late-night television. His eleven-year run was characterized by sharp political commentary, insightful interviews, and a unique blend of satire and earnestness. The finale itself was a significant cultural event, drawing a substantial viewership and featuring a diverse array of tributes and performances, including a memorable performance by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, and heartfelt messages from former presidents and a constellation of celebrities. Colbert’s final monologue offered a poignant reflection on the state of American democracy, a theme that had been central to his show’s identity.
The broadcast of Only in Monroe featuring Colbert, White, and Daniels was a testament to the enduring power of authentic connections and the creative freedom offered by alternative media platforms. While the filming date of the episode was not publicly disclosed, the show had subtly hinted at Colbert’s impending return through a recent Instagram post, building anticipation among its local audience and beyond. The episode’s success, both in terms of its star power and its embrace of local culture, underscores the evolving nature of media consumption and the continued relevance of public access television as a space for uninhibited creativity and community engagement. Colbert’s unexpected foray into the world of Michigan public access television served as a memorable, and fittingly unconventional, epilogue to his acclaimed network television career.
