Before Stephen Colbert started his 11-year run on The Late Show, he guest-hosted a public access local TV program in Monroe, MI called Only in Monroe. On his last show on CBS on Thursday of last week, he hinted that he might go back to Monroe.
“Tonight is our final broadcast from the Ed Sullivan Theater,” he said, prompting boos from the audience.
“No, no, we were lucky enough to be here for the last 11 years, all right? Can’t take this for granted,” he added. “Though technically our first show in July of 2015 was from a public access station in Monroe, Michigan, for an audience of 12 people. Show business being what it is these days, that’s probably where you’ll see me next.” and guest-hosted again.
And sure enough, the very next day, there he was back in Monroe.
I started watching the one-hour program just to see what it was like, thinking I would get bored and switch off after a few minutes but I was gripped and watched until the end. It was hilarious. There was something extremely appealing about this extremely low-budget show and we are reminded how Colbert can extract humor from the mundane, probably because he got his start in performing in improv that requires one to be funny while unprepared or backed by an army of writers and support staff.
Initially CBS tried to suppress the airing of the show on YouTube (corporate behemoths being the humorless profiteers they are) but then backed off after an outcry.
Colbert was no longer under a contract with CBS, and he has every right to perform wherever he chooses. The only reason they would try to prevent the airing would be simple spite and trying to appease their Orange Turd master. CBS and The Orange Turd thought that removing Colbert from The Late Show would silence his voice. It only makes Colbert stronger.