Stephen Colbert’s Surprise Appearance on ‘Only in Monroe’

Stephen Colbert made an unexpected return to the screen after concluding his final The Late Show episode on CBS. He hosted the community access program Only in Monroe in southeast Michigan, close to Lake Erie. This special appearance featured several noteworthy moments.

Joining Colbert was Michigan native Jack White from Detroit, located about 40 miles from Monroe. White took on the role of ‘volunteer music director’. Colbert quipped about hoping to feature some of White’s music, causing laughter from the few present off-camera.

During the hourlong broadcast, Colbert interviewed actor Jeff Daniels. The show was filled with jokes centered on Michigan. Actor Steve Buscemi appeared in a pre-recorded segment poking fun at Buscemi’s Pizza in Monroe.

Rapper Eminem, who has roots in Detroit, appeared via a tape as the ‘fire marshal’. He humorously sanctioned burning remnants of the set, which Colbert, White, and Daniels dismantled at the show’s conclusion.

Colbert also used FaceTime to talk with comedian Byron Allen. Allen is slated to host Comics Unleashed, a program that will replace Colbert’s recently ended Late Show.

The community access program’s typical hosts, Michelle Baumann and former Miss America Kaye Lani Rae Rafko Wilson, shared in quirky antics like inhaling helium from balloons with Colbert. They discussed Baumann’s cancer battle during this segment. A screen warning jokingly read, ‘Former professional TV host, do not try this at home.’

This marked Colbert’s second time hosting Only in Monroe. As he mentioned during the broadcast, he first hosted in the summer of 2015, shortly before succeeding David Letterman on Late Night. It remains unclear where or when the recent episode was recorded, which aired exactly 24 hours after Colbert’s final Late Night show. Inquiries to the community access channel for comments were unanswered as of Saturday.