Stephen Colbert makes surprise TV return with Jack White and Eminem following The Late Show cancellation

In a surprising turn of events, Stephen Colbert made a return to television on May 22, 2026, appearing on the Monroe, Michigan public access station Only in Monroe. The appearance occurred just one day after the final episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert aired on CBS on May 21, 2026. The network had previously announced the cancellation of the long-running late-night program, citing what it described as a purely financial decision.

During his final monologue on CBS, Colbert referenced his 2015 appearance on the same Monroe public access program, noting that he had performed a test run of his show there for a small audience. His return to the local station featured a reunion with the show’s regular hosts, Michelle Baumann and Kaye Lani Rae Rafko Wilson. The broadcast also included appearances by Detroit native Jack White, who served as a volunteer music director, as well as actors Steve Buscemi and Jeff Daniels.

This is not the first time… Stephen Colbert also hosted ‘Only in Monroe’ in July 2015, where he pretended not to know who Eminem was (kept calling him Marshall) and quizzed him on his knowledge of Bob Seger songs. https://t.co/a6sOA68M5f pic.twitter.com/XTK4A1z5pE — Blue Georgia (@BlueGeorgia) May 23, 2026

Colbert’s appearance on the local channel was marked by a series of comedic segments, including a cooking demonstration with Jeff Daniels and a commercial spot featuring Steve Buscemi. During the program, Colbert also held a video call with Byron Allen, whose show Comics Unleashed is slated to occupy the 11:35pm time slot previously held by The Late Show on CBS. The episode concluded with Colbert, White, and Daniels dismantling the set, with the host receiving permission from Marshall Mathers, also known as Eminem, to dispose of the materials.

The Context of the Cancellation

The conclusion of The Late Show followed a period of intense public discourse regarding the program’s future. Throughout his tenure, Colbert was a prominent critic of the Trump administration, leading to significant speculation regarding the motivations behind the network’s decision to end the show. In the days leading up to the final broadcast, several high-profile guests used their platform to address the political climate and the circumstances surrounding the show’s departure.

During the penultimate episode, Bruce Springsteen addressed the cancellation, suggesting that the host was losing his show due to a political environment where satire was increasingly scrutinized. Similarly, in his final appearance on the program, actor Robert De Niro engaged in a discussion with Colbert regarding unreleased files related to the late Jeffrey Epstein, a moment that resonated with the studio audience.

A Final Farewell to Late Night

Colbert’s return to Only in Monroe served as a deliberate contrast to the high-production environment of network television. By positioning himself back in a community media setting, the host signaled a return to the roots of his public access experiment. In his closing remarks on the station, Colbert thanked his audience for their support throughout his career, stating his intention to remain focused on his current, localized project.

The transition of the 11:35pm time slot on CBS remains a point of interest for industry observers as the network reshapes its late-night programming strategy. While The Late Show has officially ceased production, the cultural impact of the program and the surrounding discourse regarding its cancellation continue to draw attention across media platforms. Fans of the host may continue to monitor local media outlets and official social media channels for any further updates regarding his future professional endeavors.

We invite our readers to share their thoughts on the evolution of late-night television and the recent shift in programming in the comments section below.