Paramount suspends – Paramount has paused takedown notices tied to Stephen Colbert’s surprise “Only in Monroe” appearance after backlash accusing the company of suppressing the former CBS late-night host. The episode, financed and produced by CBS Studios and posted on Colbert’s Yo
When Stephen Colbert walked onto a Michigan public access TV set as a surprise host at 11:30 p.m. on Friday, it looked like pure local fun. It was also the kind of moment that quickly became a fight online—until Paramount stepped in and paused the takedown notices tied to the “Only in Monroe” episode.
Colbert’s appearance arrived just after he wrapped his 11 season-run as host of “The Late Show” the day before. He said his return to the program also follows a prior stint: he previously hosted “Only in Monroe” in 2015.
He appeared alongside the show’s regular hosts. Michelle Baumann and Kaye Lani Rae Rafko Wilson. and guests including Jack White and Jeff Daniels. The episode also included Steve Buscemi. Eminem. and a FaceTime call with Byron Allen—who is taking over Colbert’s CBS time slot with his show “Comics Unleashed.”.
On Friday, Colbert explained the timing from his side of the screen. “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 am grateful to be able to be here on Monroe Community Media before they also get acquired by Paramount.”.
A CBS spokesperson confirmed to MISRYOUM that the episode was financed and produced by CBS Studios. The same spokesperson said the video was posted on Colbert’s YouTube channel in collaboration with Monroe Community Media and “The Late Show’s” YouTube channels.
That matters because Paramount’s enforcement move began after unauthorized videos of Colbert’s “Only in Monroe” appearance surfaced online. Paramount started issuing takedown notices, but the company has now rolled back that approach for the time being.
The spokesperson said Paramount’s typical practice is to send copyright notices to unauthorized websites that post copyrighted content from CBS and its network or studio talent. including Stephen Colbert. “However. for this episode. have decided to waive further enforcement of this standard industry practice until additional review. ” the spokesperson said.
The decision didn’t land quietly. Paramount faced backlash on social media for the takedowns, and was accused of suppressing Colbert.
The broader backdrop is difficult to ignore. “The Late Show” was canceled in July 2025, with CBS saying at the time the decision was purely financial.
Still, critics have been skeptical about the timing of Paramount’s earlier takedowns. They pointed to Paramount’s $16 million settlement with President Donald Trump over former Vice President Kamala Harris’ “60 Minutes” interview. Colbert’s show was canceled just days after he called that settlement a “big fat bribe. ” describing it as an effort to secure regulatory approval for Paramount’s merger with David Ellison’s Skydance Media.
For now, at least, the episode that brought Colbert back to Monroe is getting a different kind of second chance—one where enforcement pauses while Paramount reviews what happened.
Stephen Colbert Only in Monroe Paramount CBS takedowns The Late Show Monroe Community Media Jack White Jeff Daniels Eminem Byron Allen Comics Unleashed copyright notices