Stephen Colbert is not done with TV, at least not yet!
Just a day after hosting the grand finale of his CBS late-night show, the comedian made a surprise return to the airwaves on a program he previously appeared on back in 2015.
Meanwhile, Colbert’s CBS farewell has sparked reactions from Donald Trump, who celebrated the news and hoped the same fate would hit other late-night hosts.
When Colbert gave his final run, he quipped that show business is probably where his fans would see him “next.” Staying true to his words, Colbert guest-hosted the May 22 episode of “Only in Monroe”.
He was joined by music director Jack White and guest Jeff Daniels, with cameo appearances by Eminem and Steve Buscemi. The 62-year-old TV personality kicked off his appearance on the Michigan public access show with a jab at the close of his 11-year run with his former employers.
“It’s been an excruciating 23 hours without being on TV,” Colbert said. “So I am grateful to be able to be here on Monroe Community Media before they also get acquired by Paramount.”
Colbert continued the night with more jabs at his previous role, even FaceTiming his successor, Byron Allen, and joking that the small-town show was now competing with Allen’s “Comics Unleashed.”
“So we’re opposite you right now,” Colbert said on the call, per Variety. “I hate to do that, but I’m coming for you, brother. I can’t give up. I’m coming for you.”
Stephen Colbert Wanted More Time On The Late Night Show
As Colbert moves on from his past role, he has reflected on his exit, admitting it was not how he imagined. Per The Blast, the writer said he would have preferred to leave “a little older” and on his own terms.
Colbert then compared the close of the late show with the ending of “The Colbert Report,” explaining that back then, he chose the final day himself and had known about it two years in advance. This time, however, the decision wasn’t his, and it took months before he even knew when the last episode would happen.
Still, he joked that maybe it was a hidden gift, because since the choice wasn’t his, he could make fun of the situation without being seen as the “bad guy.”
Colbert certainly leaned into the humor, reportedly throwing a themed party with the dress code “fired and festive” to mark the occasion.
How Donald Trump Celebrated Stephen Colbert’s Departure
Following Colbert’s last episode, Trump did not hide his excitement. The president took to his Truth Social platform, mocking the political commentator as talentless and comparing him to a “dead person,” according to The Blast.
Later that morning, Trump doubled down, calling Colbert’s exit the “Beginning of the End” for late-night hosts he considers overpaid and unfunny.
He wrapped up his comments with a sharp jab, saying others “of even less talent” would follow before adding, “Rest in Peace.”
Trump took his celebration a step further by posting an AI-generated video that showed him sneaking up behind Colbert during what looked like the start of a monologue. In the clip, Trump grabbed Colbert by the suit and tossed him into a green dumpster.
Robert De Niro Slammed Donald Trump On Colbert’s Program
While Trump now makes merry about Colbert’s farewell, the final stretch of the show still included several jabs aimed at him. In the days leading up to the finale, Robert De Niro appeared and used the moment to criticize the US leader.
The Blast reported that during a segment in which guests asked Colbert questions, he revealed that his secret number was three.
De Niro quickly joked that he thought the number should have been “two and a half million,” a pointed reference to the Epstein files he claimed Trump had not released.
Colbert Said He Would Continue Speaking Out About the Country
Even as Colbert’s show continued taking shots at Trump in its last days, the host made it clear that stepping away from the CBS desk would not change his commitment to the country. “I’ll never stop caring about my country,” Colbert declared, per The Blast.
He added that while he’s fine being a fan of himself, he doesn’t believe his absence from the national conversation will harm the republic.
The producer also reflected on his career path, describing the journey as a “happy accident” that turned out beautifully.