Stephen Colbert Returns to Host Only in Monroe After Late Show Finale
Following his final appearance as host of CBS's The Late Show, Stephen Colbert continued his television hosting by appearing on a local public access program.
On Friday night, just one day after concluding his tenure on The Late Show, Colbert hosted Only in Monroe in Monroe, Michigan. Colbert had served as the host of The Late Show since 2015, with his run ending this week after CBS canceled the long-standing program. The cancellation was attributed to a “financial decision” by CBS’s parent company, Paramount.
Colbert’s Previous Appearance on Only in Monroe
Colbert had previously visited Monroe, Michigan, and appeared on Only in Monroe in 2015, shortly before beginning his role on The Late Show. During that episode, he interviewed the renowned Michigan rapper Eminem.
Returning on Friday evening, Colbert once again embraced his Michigan roots. He was joined on the public access show by guests Jack White and Jeff Daniels, with special appearances by Steve Buscemi, Eminem, and Byron Allen.
“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 quipped on Friday.
Colbert’s Career and The Late Show Finale
Colbert took over hosting duties on The Late Show in 2015, succeeding David Letterman, after years of hosting Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report.
The Late Show’s final episode this week featured Paul McCartney and other celebrities, concluding with a farewell involving the entire show crew as they turned off the lights in the Ed Sullivan Theater.
Paramount’s Cancellation of The Late Show and Merger Context
Last year, Paramount announced the cancellation of The Late Show amid efforts to secure approval from the Trump administration for an $8 billion merger with the Hollywood studio Skydance. The merger faced delays due to a lawsuit filed by former President Trump against CBS’s news program 60 Minutes over an interview with Vice President Kamala Harris.
Paramount settled the lawsuit last summer by agreeing to donate $16 million to Trump’s future presidential library. Colbert publicly criticized the settlement, calling it a
“big fat bribe”.
Colbert’s Criticism of Trump and Show Cancellation Implications
Colbert was among the most vocal late-night hosts in criticizing Trump and his administration. Some observers viewed the cancellation of The Late Show as an effort to appease the Trump administration while the Paramount-Skydance merger awaited federal approval. It is also notable that late-night shows have experienced declining viewership and revenue over recent years.
Trump’s Response and Attacks on Late-Night Hosts
On Friday night, Trump posted an AI-generated video online depicting him grabbing Colbert, lifting him, and throwing him into a dumpster. The video then shows Trump dancing as a studio audience applauds.
In the past year, Trump has also targeted other late-night hosts, urging networks to terminate figures such as ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel and NBC’s Seth Meyers. Additionally, he has attempted to use the Federal Communications Commission to revoke broadcast licenses from networks.
“Stephen Colbert’s firing from CBS was the ‘Beginning of the End’ for untalented, nasty, highly overpaid, not funny, and very poorly rated Late Night Television Hosts,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Others, of even less talent, to soon follow. May they all Rest in Peace!”
