CBS and parent company Paramount have reversed their enforcement efforts against unauthorized reposts of Stephen Colbert's satirical appearance on a Michigan public access program, following widespread backlash over copyright strikes issued against viral clips of the broadcast.
The controversy centers on "Only In Monroe," an hour-long parody program Colbert posted one day after his nearly eleven-year tenure as host of "The Late Show" concluded. The mock cable access show, filmed in Monroe, Michigan, featured rockstar Jack White as a deadpan sidekick and quickly accumulated millions of views across social media platforms.
"It's been an excruciating 23 hours without being on TV," Colbert joked during the program. "So I am grateful to be here on Monroe Community Media, before they also get acquired by Paramount."
The self-deprecating quip proved prescient when CBS began issuing copyright protection notices to platforms hosting unauthorized copies of the broadcast. Long-time media reporter Matthew Keys called attention to the enforcement action Sunday on X, writing that "Paramount is apparently trying to suppress copies of 'Only in Monroe' from appearing on other social platforms by filing frivolous copyright notices."
In a statement issued Monday, CBS confirmed that the "Only In Monroe" episode was "financed and produced by CBS studios" and approved for distribution exclusively on three YouTube channels: The Late Show, Monroe Community Media, and Colbert's personal channel. The network initially defended its copyright enforcement as standard industry practice.
However, facing mounting criticism, CBS announced it would "waive further enforcement of this standard industry practice until additional review." The decision represents a significant retreat from the company's initial position and suggests sensitivity to public perception surrounding Colbert's departure.
CBS canceled Colbert's top-rated late-night program in July 2025, characterizing the decision as financially motivated. The cancellation occurred as Paramount Global sought Trump administration approval for its $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media. Colbert, a frequent and outspoken critic of President Trump, concluded his run as host of "The Late Show" on Friday with a star-studded finale featuring Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney.
The "Only In Monroe" broadcast derived much of its comedic impact from the jarring contrast between Colbert's former position as one of television's most influential voices and the modest production values of local cable access programming. Guests discussed bigfoot sightings in Michigan, while actor Jeff Daniels prepared sandwiches and presented the community calendar.
At one point during the Monroe appearance, Colbert telephoned Byron Allen, host of "Comics Unleashed," the program CBS selected to occupy The Late Show's former time slot. Allen answered and stated, "Is Stephen Colbert the best or what?"
During an interview with NPR's Newsmakers podcast, Allen told host Ailsa Chang that Colbert is "an American treasure" but indicated his program would avoid the political commentary that defined The Late Show during the Colbert era.
"Not everybody's gonna love me," Allen said. "But there is that one or two percent that would be like 'hell yeah, I'm rolling with you' and I learned that at an early age, and by the way, that simple lesson made me a billionaire."
The copyright dispute highlights ongoing tensions between traditional media companies and the viral nature of digital content distribution. CBS's initial enforcement action and subsequent reversal suggest uncertainty about how to manage content featuring high-profile talent in an era where social media sharing can generate significant publicity value even as it challenges conventional distribution models.
