Liberal YouTubers

After Stephen Colbert's viral talk show parody, CBS backs down from copyright action
May 25, 2026 3:58 PM ET
Brian Mann

CBS and parent company Paramount have backed away from efforts to limit reposting of Stephen Colbert's mock appearance as host of a Michigan public access show called "Only In Monroe." Colbert posted the hour-long parody a day after being ousted from his nearly 11-year-long run at "The Late Show."

"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 deadpan appearance, which featured rockstar Jack White as an even more deadpan sidekick, quickly went viral. The program was reposted widely on Youtube and other social media platforms, leading CBS to initially fire off copyright protection notices.

"Paramount is apparently trying to suppress copies of "Only in Monroe" from appearing on other social platforms by filing frivolous copyright notices," wrote long-time media reporter Matthew Keys Sunday on X.

Link to tweet

…