Just one day after concluding his long-standing tenure on CBS, Stephen Colbert made an unexpected return to the airwaves. The veteran host appeared as a guest on ‘Only in Monroe,’ a public access program broadcast by Monroe Community Media in Michigan. This appearance marked a lighthearted transition for the comedian, who had spent the previous 11 years anchoring a late-night staple before his show was canceled earlier this year.

Colbert wasted no time addressing his recent departure, opening the broadcast with a quip about his brief hiatus from the screen and the shifting landscape of the media industry. The host, who frequently utilized his platform to critique the political climate, joked about the corporate pressures surrounding his exit from CBS, specifically referencing the network’s merger with Skydance. He also poked fun at the industry’s struggle to adapt to modern viewing habits, noting that he had avoided learning about streaming technology during his time at the major network.

The program featured a star-studded lineup of Michigan natives, including musician Jack White and actor Jeff Daniels. In a nod to his past, Colbert reminded viewers that this was not his first time behind the desk at the local station, as he had previously guest-hosted the same program in 2015. During the broadcast, he even connected via FaceTime with Byron Allen, the comedian slated to take over his former time slot.

While Colbert offered no concrete details regarding his future professional endeavors, he maintained a humorous tone throughout the evening. Closing out the segment, he jokingly thanked the local hosts for the opportunity and suggested he would be available for another guest appearance in 2037, keeping his future plans characteristically ambiguous.