Stephen Colbert made an unexpected guest appearance on the “Only in Monroe” community access show in southeast Michigan, just a day after his last episode of “The Late Show” aired on CBS from the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York. The show, broadcast in the region near Lake Erie, featured Michigan native Jack White as Colbert’s “volunteer music director.” White is known for growing up in Detroit, approximately 40 miles northeast of Monroe.
During the hourlong program, Colbert engaged with several familiar faces. He conducted an interview with actor Jeff Daniels, with the conversation infused with humor tied to Michigan themes. Actor Steve Buscemi contributed with a recorded segment referencing Buscemi’s Pizza in Monroe. Eminem, another Detroit native, appeared on tape presenting himself as the “fire marshal” who humorously approved setting fire to remnants of the set.
Colbert also connected with comedian Byron Allen via FaceTime. Allen is scheduled to host “Comics Unleashed,” which will replace Colbert’s “Late Show.” The normal hosts of “Only in Monroe,” Michelle Baumann and former Miss America Kaye Lani Rae Rafko Wilson, engaged in light-hearted antics with Colbert. They inhaled helium from balloons, adding humor while discussing Baumann’s cancer battle. The show warned viewers onscreen not to attempt similar activities at home.
Colbert had previously hosted “Only in Monroe” in the summer of 2015 before taking over “Late Night” from David Letterman. His recent appearance aired exactly 24 hours after his final broadcast on CBS, although the recording details of this show remain unknown. Attempts to contact the community access channel for further information were unsuccessful as messages were unanswered.