Stephen Colbert made a surprise appearance on 'Only in Monroe,' a local access show in Michigan, less than a day after signing off from 'The Late Show' for the final time. The comedian, who previously guest-hosted the show in 2015 before joining CBS, returned to the same public access station as a symbolic post-tenure act. The episode includes appearances by Michigan natives Jack White and Jeff Daniels, with cameos from Eminem and Steve Buscemi. Colbert joked about the 23-hour gap since his last broadcast and teased future unpredictability.

CBS initially issued copyright notices to YouTube channels sharing the episode, sparking backlash from fans and online communities. The network later announced it would pause enforcement pending further review, acknowledging that the episode was produced in coordination with CBS. The full episode is now available through official channels including Colbert’s and 'The Late Show’s' YouTube accounts, as well as Monroe Community Media.

Colbert had foreshadowed the move during his final monologue, referencing his 2015 debut on the same show. The gesture underscores a playful continuity in his career and highlights tensions between network copyright policies and fan-driven content sharing. As Colbert steps into a new phase, his actions signal a looser, more independent approach to media presence.