Stephen Colbert took a jab at CBS after returning to TV to guest-host a local show called Only in Monroe. His appearance came a day after The Late Show with Stephen Colbert concluded on May 21, 2026. He shared sarcastic takes on the financial moves made by networks and his thoughts following the cancellation. The show also featured appearances from Jeff Daniels, Jack White, Eminem, and others.
Stephen Colbert serves as guest host of Only in Monroe
Stephen Colbert appeared on Michigan public-access TV as a guest host of Only in Monroe, where he subtly shaded CBS following his late-night show’s cancellation. He described his feelings from being away from TV for an entire day as “excruciating.” He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, joking that he was thankful to Monroe Community Media for the gig before Paramount comes to them for an acquisition.
Joking about the financial situation at CBS, he added, “We don’t have any sponsors? And we actually lost a lot of money making the show tonight? Now I know how CBS felt.” The guest-host then spoke about this show being accessible to watch outside Monroe, joking that it was a lesson both he and CBS failed to learn.
Later, he interviewed the regular hosts, Michelle Bowman and Kaye Lani Rae Rafko, on Only in Monroe, also curiously asking them why their show decided to take a break earlier. “I understand you stopped making Only in Monroe for a while. Why’d you stop? Was it ‘purely financial reasons?” he said, alluding to a reason given by CBS over his show cancellation.
During that time, CBS confirmed that the cancellation had nothing to do with the show’s performance and other matters at Paramount. They clarified that their decision was “purely financial.”
Towards the episode’s end, Cobert told the two hosts that if he had a show, he would allow them to guest-host. However, now that he doesn’t, the 62-year-old revealed that he knows Byron Allen, who replaced The Late Show slot at CBS. He facetimed Allen to ask whether these two hosts could get a temporary place at Comics Unleashed. “Will you come sit in with me?” Allen responded to the duo.
Originally reported by Shazmeen Navrange on ComingSoon.
