Stephen Colbert’s “Only in Monroe” Episode Sparks Copyright Takedown Debate

Paramount and CBS sent copyright takedown notices to YouTube users who posted bootleg copies of Stephen Colbert’s return to the public-access series “Only in Monroe.” The unauthorized channel “The Desk” had 620,621 views, while the official upload had about 392,486. After public criticism, CBS said it would pause further enforcement for this video.

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“Only in Monroe” is a public-access program produced by Monroe Community Media in Monroe, Michigan. Colbert first hosted the show in July 2015 to debut “The Late Show.” After ending his 11-year tenure on the late-night program, he returned on May 22, 2026, posting the episode to his new YouTube channel in partnership with Monroe Community Media and “The Late Show” channels. The episode featured music by Jack White and a guest appearance by Jeff Daniels.

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The official upload recorded roughly 392,486 views, while the unauthorized “The Desk” version accumulated about 620,621 views at the time of reporting.

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A CBS spokesperson said the network routinely issues copyright notices for unauthorized CBS content but chose to waive enforcement for this episode pending review. The statement also noted that “The Late Show” holds the copyright to the “Only in Monroe” episode and is leading its protection.

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Observers and fans argued the takedowns attempted to suppress the public-access broadcast, noting Monroe Community Media lacks legal resources to issue its own notices. The outcry prompted CBS to reconsider its enforcement, highlighting tension between standard copyright practice and the collaborative nature of the episode.

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• “Stephen Colbert’s return to Monroe in the ‘Only in Monroe’ episode was financed and produced by CBS Studios and was posted on Stephen Colbert’s YouTube channel in collaboration with Monroe Community Media and ‘The Late Show’s’ YouTube channels,” — CBS spokesperson

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• “As is our regular practice, we send copyright notices to unauthorized websites that post copyrighted content from CBS and our network/studio talent such as Stephen Colbert. However, for this episode, we have decided to waive further enforcement of this standard industry practice until additional review.” — CBS spokesperson

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• “Since I was last here in Monroe, Michigan, I spent 11 years as the primary host of ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert‘ on CBS, which came to an end last night,” — Stephen Colbert

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• “It’s been an excruciating 23 hours without being on TV, so I am grateful to be able to be here on Monroe Community Media before they also get acquired by Paramount.” — Stephen Colbert

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CBS indicated it will stand down on takedowns for the “Only in Monroe” episode while it conducts a review. The episode remains accessible through official channels, and no further enforcement actions have been announced.

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