{"id":242069,"date":"2026-05-24T02:53:23","date_gmt":"2026-05-24T02:53:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/24\/stephen-colbert-makes-surprise-return-to-tv-1-day-after-late-show-series-finale-on-cbs\/"},"modified":"2026-05-24T02:53:23","modified_gmt":"2026-05-24T02:53:23","slug":"stephen-colbert-makes-surprise-return-to-tv-1-day-after-late-show-series-finale-on-cbs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/24\/stephen-colbert-makes-surprise-return-to-tv-1-day-after-late-show-series-finale-on-cbs\/","title":{"rendered":"Stephen Colbert Makes Surprise Return to TV 1 Day After \u2018Late Show\u2019 Series Finale on CBS"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Stephen Colbert<\/strong><\/a> made a surprise TV return one day after his CBS finale<\/a> to host a public access show in Monroe, Michigan.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s 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,\u201d Colbert, 62, joked during his opening monologue of Only in Monroe<\/em><\/a> on Friday, May 22.<\/p>\n

The comedian actually has a long history with Only in Monroe<\/em>, as he previously filled in for hosts Michelle Baumann<\/strong> and Kaye Lani Rafko-Wilson<\/strong> when he was preparing for his Late Show<\/em> debut in July 2015.<\/p>\n

Colbert even dropped an Easter egg into his final Late Show<\/em> monologue by referencing his 2015 appearance on Only in Monroe<\/em>, joking that \u201cshow business being what it is these days, that\u2019s probably where you\u2019ll see me next.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>Stephen Colbert Feels ‘A Sense of Relief’ About ‘Late Show’ Ending<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tStephen Colbert is opening up about his next chapter after CBS canceled his late night show. In a new interview with GQ, which was conducted shortly before The Late Show With Stephen Colbert won big at the 2025 Emmy Awards, Colbert, 61, said he \u201caccepted\u201d the network\u2019s decision to pull the plug on his show. [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cSince I was last here in Monroe, Michigan, I spent 11 years as the primary host of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert<\/em> on CBS, which came to an end last night,\u201d he explained on Friday\u2019s Only in Monroe episode.<\/p>\n

Colbert then quipped, \u201cViewers outside the greater Monroe area are able to view Monroe Community Media thanks to something known as streaming, which I promised not to learn about while I was on CBS. And evidently CBS also decided not to learn about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Throughout the hour-long episode, Colbert discussed local issues and was joined by celebrity guests, including Jack White<\/strong> as his musical director and actor Jeff Daniels<\/strong>. Eminem<\/strong> and Steve Buscemi<\/strong> filmed cameos that aired during the special Only in Monroe<\/em> episode.<\/p>\n

He also spoke with Byron Allen<\/strong>, whose show Comics Unleashed<\/em> will replace The Late Show With Stephen Colbert<\/em> on CBS.<\/p>\n

\u201cByron, have a great show,\u201d he told Allen, 65. \u201cYou\u2019re the best, buddy.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n The final episode of \u201cThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert\u201d on May 21, 2026.<\/span> CBS\/Scott Kowalchyk<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The unusual Only in Monro<\/em>e episode ended with Colbert, Daniels, 71, and White, 50, burning down the show\u2019s set after receiving approval from \u201cthe fire marshal\u201d (a.k.a. Marshall \u201cEminem\u201d Mathers, 53.)<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a wrap,\u201d Colbert announced. \u201cThanks for watching Only in Monroe<\/em> and if you watched any of my other talk shows over the years, thanks for watching those too!\u201d<\/p>\n

He then teased, \u201cUntil we see each other again, I\u2019ll be only here, only on Only in Monroe<\/em>!\u201d<\/p>\n

CBS announced in July 2025 that it was cancelling The Late Show With Stephen Colbert<\/em><\/a> despite the series\u2019 late night ratings dominance.<\/p>\n

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