CBS and its parent company, Paramount Global, have abandoned a bid to halt the resharing of Stephen Colbert's guest hosting appearance on a little-known Michigan public access show. Colbert, 62, appeared on Only In Monroe at 11:30 pm on Friday, shortly after filming his final episode of The Late Show the night before. The deadpan, low-budget appearance caught viewers and CBS staff alike by surprise.
Colbert posted the episode as the inaugural video of his self-named YouTube account, with The Late Show listed as a collaborator. As others reposted the content, CBS sent out a series of copyright protection notices, as shown in several social media posts. The cease-and-desist demands stopped on Sunday, when suspected offenders on YouTube were informed that Paramount Global (CBS) had decided to release their copyright claim on their videos, as noted in a post from Democratic Strategist Michelle Kinney.
CBS's Explanation
CBS addressed the abrupt about-face in a statement, explaining that the copyright claims were initially sent due to distribution rights being approved only for The Late Show, Monroe Community Media, and Colbert's personal YouTube. 'As is our regular practice, we send copyright notices to unauthorized websites that post copyrighted content from CBS and our network/studio talent such as Stephen Colbert,' a spokesperson said. 'However, for this episode, [we] have decided to waive further enforcement of this standard industry practice until additional review.'
Users on X were also hit with copyright claims. Matthew Keys of The Desk reshared a grab of one and wrote in a now-viral post: 'Paramount is apparently trying to suppress copies of "Only in Monroe" from appearing on other social platforms by filing frivolous copyright notices.'
Guest Appearances and Colbert's Criticism
Clips being circulated included unannounced appearances from Jeff Daniels, Eminem, and Steve Buscemi. Colbert was joined by fellow fill-in host Jack White of The White Stripes. An off-kilter Colbert told viewers at the episode's outset: 'It's been an excruciating 23 hours without being on TV. So I am grateful to be here on Monroe Community Media, before they also get acquired by Paramount.'
Colbert openly criticized Paramount days before the network announced his CBS show would not be renewed in July, after the company reached a $16 million settlement with Trump for what many viewed as a baseless lawsuit. Colbert called the move 'a big fat bribe,' pointing out that a long-stalled merger between Paramount and Skydance was solidified by the federal government within days of the settlement.
Show Cancellation
The host received word that his show was being cancelled just days after the appearance. The reason given by showrunners was declining ad revenue. Both Paramount and CBS have continued to say the decision was made for financial reasons. A July report from Puck, citing unnamed sources, said the show was losing $40 million a year. The Late Show, started by Letterman in 1993, was replaced by Comics Unleashed, a long-syndicated comedy panel show hosted by billionaire Byron Allen, on Friday, airing at the same 11:30 pm time slot.
