Stephen Colbert Returns to Monroe, Michigan for “Only in Monroe” After Late Show Finale
After the final episode of The Late Show, Stephen Colbert made a surprising return to television—this time in Monroe, Michigan.
Colbert Reflects on His Early Career
During his last monologue on Thursday, Colbert joked:
“Tonight is our final broadcast from the Ed Sullivan Theater… technically our first show in July of 2015 was from a public-access station in Monroe, Michigan, for an audience of 12 people.”
He was referring to Only in Monroe, a local public-access show where he tested his hosting skills before taking over the Late Show, with Eminem as his guest.
A Full Episode of “Only in Monroe”
On Friday night, Colbert returned to Only in Monroe, taking the 11:35 p.m. slot alongside hosts Michelle Baumann and Kaye Lani Rae Rafko Wilson. Guests included Detroit native Jack White and actors Steve Buscemi and Jeff Daniels.
Colbert opened the show by saying:
“Since I was last here in Monroe, Michigan, I spent 11 years as the primary host of The Late Show… It’s been an excruciating 23 hours without being on TV, so I am grateful to be here on Monroe Community Media.”
Highlights of the Episode
- Monroe-Centric Humor: Colbert delivered a monologue focused on the town and riffed with the hosts.
- Music with Jack White: White served as the volunteer “music director” using a boombox and reel-to-reel.
- FaceTime Guests: Colbert called Byron Allen, whose show Comics Unleashed is replacing the Late Show on CBS. He also called Eminem to get permission for a later segment.
- Funny Segments: Buscemi appeared in a fake commercial for a local pizza place, Colbert and White had a comedic discussion about chili cheese dogs, and Daniels demonstrated how to make a pita sandwich from random fridge ingredients.
Grand Finale
The episode ended with Colbert, White, and Daniels dismantling the makeshift set and preparing to burn it. After a FaceTime call with Eminem, they received the “go-ahead” to burn the set. Colbert closed the show saying:
“Well, that’s a wrap. Thanks for watching in Only in Monroe… Until we see each other again, I’ll be only here, only on Only in Monroe.”
