Stephen Colbert was barely off the air before the former late-night host returned to television. This time, however, he did not appear on another major network. Instead, Colbert resurfaced on a public-access program in southeastern Michigan.
Colbert’s guest appearance quickly went viral. The episode was jointly posted on his YouTube channel, The Late Show’s official YouTube page, and the local television station’s account.
Returning to Monroe After 11 Years
It was not Colbert’s first time guest hosting the public access program. Shortly before taking over The Late Show from David Letterman, Stephen Colbert made what some considered a test run in Michigan.
Stephen Colbert on Only in Monroe – MCM, YouTube
READ: Disney Springs Denies Entry to Police Officers Wearing Law Enforcement Logos
“Hello. Also, welcome. It’s time for another edition of Only in Monroe,” Colbert said. “I’m your guest host Stephen Colbert. Longtime viewers of Only in Monroe may remember that back in July of 2015, I filled in for the usual hosts Michelle Baumann and Kaye Lani Rae Rafko Wilson. Still not sure how many people that is.”
Colbert then took a moment to reintroduce himself while taking a few jabs at his former network.
“Since I was last here in Monroe, Michigan, I spent 11 years as the primary host of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on CBS, which came to an end last night,” he said. “It’s been an excruciating 23 hours without being on TV, so I’m grateful to be here on Monroe Community Media, before they also get acquired by Paramount.”
Stephen Colbert dances around with human needles – YouTube, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
READ: Jimmy Kimmel’s Sister-In-Law Accused of Bullying Bakery Over Spencer Pratt Cookies
Critics, however, argue that the cancellation may have had less to do with leadership changes and more to do with reports that The Late Show was losing the network tens of millions of dollars. Colbert later appeared to acknowledge those reports directly, joking that Monroe Community Media had “lost a lot of money making the show tonight.” He then added, “Now I know how CBS felt.”
Celebrity Guests and Copyright Controversy
Over the course of the hour, Stephen Colbert interviewed several celebrity guests, including Jack White, Steve Buscemi, Jeff Daniels, and Eminem.
Though the YouTube video received only around 466,000 views during its first two days online, the stunt quickly gained traction across social media and became an unexpected source of controversy. Several YouTube channels that reuploaded the episode were hit with copyright notices from CBS.
The backlash prompted a response from the network.
Stephen Colbert on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert – YouTube, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
READ: Disney Parks’ New Mandalorian Smugglers Run Ride Retheme Sees Low Wait Times On Opening Weekend
“Stephen Colbert’s return to Monroe in the Only in Monroe episode was financed and produced by CBS Studios and was posted on Stephen Colbert’s YouTube channel in collaboration with Monroe Community Media and The Late Show’s YouTube channels,” CBS said in a statement.
“As is our regular practice, we send copyright notices to unauthorized websites that post copyrighted content from CBS and our network/studio talent such as Stephen Colbert,” the statement continued. “However, for this episode, we have decided to waive further enforcement of this standard industry practice until additional review.”
What Comes Next for Colbert?
Colbert joked that spending an “excruciating 23 hours” out of the spotlight was difficult. While his public-access television guest spot generated significant online discussion, internet attention does not always translate into sustained audience enthusiasm.
His next move, after more time has passed, may offer a clearer indication of whether viewers still want more of his style of humor or if his appeal is increasingly limited to smaller audiences.
What do you think of Stephen Colbert guest hosting on Michigan public access television? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
UP NEXT: The FCC Wants To Know If You Think The View is Actually News
