Just one day after Stephen Colbert wrapped his last episode of The Late Show after 11 years on air, he was already back on television in a surprising place: public access cable television!
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The longtime Comedy Central late-night host said his goodbyes to the network and fans of his show on May 21 after 11 seasons, and just one day later, he was spotted on Monroe Community Media‘s Only in Monroe, a public access program he guest hosted in 2015.
“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,” he joked on the non-profit program.
Watch the full episode here:
The hour-long episode was full of Colbert’s signature dry humor, interviews with locals, and guest appearances by celebrities like musician Jack White of The White Stripes, who was the “music director” for the evening, actors Steve Buscemi and Jeff Daniels, and Detroit native rapper Eminem.
He ended the evening by bringing the house down, literally.
“[They] have informed me that since they are no longer using this set, it would actually be helpful for me to destroy it,” he said. “Which is pretty great news, because right now and for no particular reason, I would very much like to break something.”
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He, Daniels, and White then took hammers to the walls and brought all the props to a dumpster to burn them, with the permission of fire “marshal” Eminem.
Monroe Community Media teased the surprise appearance on May 22 by sharing a video of Colbert’s Late Show sign off with the caption, “Hey Stephen, you’re welcome back to Monroe at any time!” He responded, “I’m available starting tonight at 11:35!”
The appearance was a sweet surprise for fans. “Stephen Colbert on public access with Jack White, Jeff Daniels, Eminem and Steve Buscemi is the most wholesome comeback ever,” said one fan with a laughing emoji.
Another agreed, writing, “It is hilarious that Trump thinks he got rid of Colbert! He just made him even more famous and now he is going to be seemingly everywhere all the time. The exact definition of ubiquitous-and viral!” The comment is in reference to an AI video President Donald Trump posted one day earlier that portrays him throwing Colbert into a dumpster.
Fans will just have to wait to see what Colbert will do next!
This story was originally published by Parade on May 23, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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