Stephen Colbert’s Surprise Return to TV Following “Late Show” Cancellation
Stephen Colbert, the longtime host of “The Late Show,” concluded his 11-year run on May 21, 2026, with his final episode airing on CBS. Just one day later, he made a surprise appearance on a local public access television station in Monroe, Michigan, marking a unique and unconventional return to the airwaves.
A Return to Local TV
Colbert appeared as a guest host on “Only in Monroe,” a public access program serving Monroe County, Michigan. The event took place on May 22, 2026, just 23 hours after his final “Late Show” broadcast. During the segment, Colbert humorously addressed the circumstances surrounding his show’s cancellation, joking about the potential acquisition of Monroe Community Media by Paramount Global, the parent company of CBS.
“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 said, according to the article.
Context of the Show’s Cancellation
The decision to end “The Late Show” was announced in July 2025, following Colbert’s critical comments about Paramount’s $16 million legal settlement with former President Donald Trump. While Paramount cited financial reasons for the cancellation, some observers speculated that the move was influenced by the company’s efforts to secure regulatory approval for its merger with Skydance. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved the merger later that same month.
Colbert’s appearance on “Only in Monroe” was not his first on the local program. He previously guest-hosted the show in July 2015, as noted in the article.
Guests and Humor
During his stint as guest host, Colbert interviewed the program’s usual hosts, Kaye Lani Wilson and Michelle Baumann, and welcomed celebrity guests including musician Jack White and actor Jeff Daniels. Steve Buscemi also made a cameo through a commercial for a pizza restaurant. Colbert even facetimed Byron Allen, who is set to take over his timeslot at CBS.
Colbert quipped about the challenges of late-night television in the streaming era, referencing his own past promises about avoiding streaming technology during his CBS tenure. “Viewers outside the greater Monroe area are able to view
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