Stephen Colbert returns to TV hosting with ‘Only in Monroe’ one day after signing off ‘The Late Show; says, ‘It’s been an excruciating 23 hours’

Earth just completed a rotation around itself, and Stephen Colbert was back on the TV with a new show to host. After bidding goodbye to ‘The Late Show,’ the comedian hosted Michigan’s public access TV, ‘Only in Monroe,’ for an hour on May 22, 2026. From discussing headlines to entertaining with a couple of celebrities, the 62-year-old was back in the show business.While the official announcement was not made, Colbert teased about appearing on the public access TV during his final words on the CBS show. “Technically, our first show in July of 2015 was from a public access station in Monroe, Michigan, for an audience of 12 people,” he said, according to Variety, before indicating that it would be what the viewers would likely see in the next couple of days.In a minimalistic fashion and low-budget show, Colbert was joined by guests from Michigan, including music director Jack White and guest Jeff Daniels. Eminem and Steve Buscemi joined in through filmed appearances, while he also FaceTimed his successor in the late-night slot, 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,” he said during the broadcast at 11:35 pm local time on Friday.With White and Daniels in the studio for the show, Eminem appeared for a brief cameo, where Colbert took everyone on hand outside to the dumpster to burn the remains of the no-longer-used ‘Only in Monroe’ set. Claiming that he needed permission from Marshall, the host asked, “Marshall, are you OK if we light this up?” “Stephen, Marshall, here,” Eminem said on the video, aka Marshall Mathers. “Marshall, are you okay if we light this up? Steven Marshall, here. You are absolutely clear to burn that mother**** down, bro,” said in the interaction between the two.Stephen Colbert signed off on May 21, 2026, with a hilarious farewell on the show. In July 2025, the comedian’s show was cancelled after he criticized his parent company for reportedly settling with US President Donald Trump for USD 16 million.