Stephen Colbert made a surprise stop on the “Only in Monroe” community access show in southeast Michigan, appearing alongside Jack White and Michigan personalities just one day after his final “Late Show” episode.
Stephen Colbert’s last night on CBS ended, and just 24 hours later, he was back under different lights—hosting a community access program on the shores of Lake Erie in southeast Michigan.
The surprise appearance came after Colbert recorded his final episode of “The Late Show” in New York. In Monroe, Michigan, he showed up on “Only in Monroe,” the community access show broadcast in the area.
Michigan native Jack White joined Colbert during the hourlong episode as his “volunteer music director.” White. who grew up in Detroit about 40 miles northeast of Monroe. took part in the program’s lively back-and-forth. Colbert joked with White—“Looking forward to hearing some of your music. time permitting”—as laughter carried from a handful of people off camera.
The broadcast leaned hard into Michigan humor. During the episode, Colbert interviewed actor Jeff Daniels. Actor Steve Buscemi also appeared in a recorded bit joking about Buscemi’s Pizza in Monroe.
There was music, plenty of banter, and even a staged bit that landed with Detroit roots. Rapper Eminem appeared on tape as the “fire marshal” who approves setting fire to remnants of the set that Colbert, White, and Daniels destroyed at the end of the show.
Colbert also connected remotely, speaking via FaceTime with comedian Byron Allen, who will be hosting “Comics Unleashed.” That show is replacing Colbert’s canceled “Late Show.”
The community hosts were Michelle Baumann and former Miss America Kaye Lani Rae Rafko Wilson. During the program, they sucked helium from balloons with Colbert while discussing Baumann’s battle with cancer. A warning appeared on the screen: “Former professional TV host, do not try this at home.”
For Colbert, it wasn’t the first time he’d visited the local program. It marked the second time he has hosted “Only in Monroe.” He said that he previously hosted an episode in the summer of 2015, just before taking over “Late Night” from David Letterman.
It wasn’t immediately clear where or when Colbert recorded the latest episode of “Only in Monroe,” which aired exactly 24 hours after his final “Late Show” episode was broadcast. Messages left Saturday seeking comment from the community access channel were not immediately returned.
Stephen Colbert Only in Monroe Jack White Monroe Michigan Lake Erie CBS Late Show Jeff Daniels Steve Buscemi Eminem Byron Allen Comics Unleashed community access television