Stéphane Colbert It’s not over 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 show he previously appeared on in 2015.
Meanwhile, Colbert’s farewell to CBS sparked reactions from Donald Trumpwho celebrated the news and hoped the same fate would befall other late-night hosts.
Stephen Colbert hosts TV show featuring an all-star cast
When Colbert gave his final performance, he joked that show business was probably where his fans would see him “next.” True to his words, Colbert hosted the May 22 episode of “Only in Monroe.”
He was joined by musical director Jack White and guest Jeff Daniels, with appearances from Eminem and Steve Buscemi. The 62-year-old television personality began her appearance on the Michigan public broadcaster with a bang at the end of her 11-year career with her former employers.
“It was an excruciating 23 hours without being on television,” Colbert said. “So I’m grateful to be able to be here at Monroe Community Media before they get acquired by Paramount as well.”
Colbert continued the evening with more jabs at his previous role, even going so far as to confront his successor, Byron Allen, and joking that the small-town show was now competing with Allen’s “Comics Unleashed.”
“So we’re in front of you right now,” Colbert said on the call, per Variety. “I hate to do this, 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 reflected on his departure, admitting that it wasn’t how he imagined it. According to The Blast, the writer said he would have preferred to leave “a little older” and on his own terms.
Colbert then compared the end of the late show to the end of “The Colbert Report,” explaining that at the time he chose the final day himself and knew about it two years in advance. This time, however, the decision wasn’t his, and it took him months before he even knew when the final episode would take place.
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, apparently throwing a themed party complete with the “stirred up and festive” dress code to mark the occasion.
How Donald Trump celebrated Stephen Colbert’s departure
Following Colbert’s latest episode, Trump did not hide his enthusiasm. The president used his Truth Social platform, mocking the political commentator as talentless and comparing him to a “dead person,” according to The Blast.
Later in the morning, Trump doubled down, calling Colbert’s departure “the beginning of the end” for late-night hosts he considers overpaid and unfunny.
He concluded his comments with a sharp jab, saying others “even less talented” would follow before adding: “Rest in peace.”
Trump took his celebration even 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 threw him into a green dumpster.
Robert De Niro criticized Donald Trump on Colbert’s show
While Trump is now looking forward to Colbert’s farewell, the latter part of the show still included several shots aimed at him. In the days leading up to the finale, Robert De Niro appeared and took the opportunity to criticize the American 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 that figure should have been “two and a half million,” a pointed reference to the Epstein files he claimed Trump had not disclosed.
Colbert said he would continue to speak out about the country
Even as Colbert’s show continued to take shots at Trump in his final days, the host made it clear that stepping away from the CBS office would not change his commitment to the country. “I will never stop caring about my country,” Colbert said, according to The Blast.
He added that while he’s happy to be a fan of himself, he doesn’t think his absence from the national conversation will harm the republic.
The producer also reflected on his professional journey, describing the journey as a “happy accident” that turned out wonderfully.