After Stephen Colbert's viral talk show parody, CBS backs down from copyright action

Stephen Colbert posted an hour-long parody of his mock appearance as host of the Michigan public access show “Only In Monroe” shortly after leaving “The Late Show.” The deadpan program, featuring Jack White as a sidekick, went viral and was widely reposted on YouTube and other social platforms. CBS initially sent copyright protection notices in response to unauthorized reposts. CBS later said the episode was financed and produced by CBS Studios and approved for distribution on three YouTube channels: “The Late Show,” Monroe Community Media, and Colbert’s personal channel. CBS stated it would waive further enforcement of its standard copyright-notice practice for this episode until additional review. The cancellation of Colbert’s late-night show was described as a financial decision amid Paramount Global’s merger efforts.

"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. 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."

"In a statement to NPR on Monday, CBS said that Colbert’s “Only In Monroe” episode was “financed and produced by CBS studios” and was approved for distribution on only three Youtube channels: The Late Show, Monroe Community Media and Colbert’s personal channel. “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,” the statement said."

"“However, for this episode, [we] have decided to waive further enforcement of this standard industry practice until additional review.” CBS canceled Colbert’s top-rated late-night show in July 2025, describing the move as a financial decision. But the cancellation also came as Paramount Global, which owns CBS, sought the Trump administration’s approval for its $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media."

"“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. Colbert posted the hour-long parody a day after being ousted from his nearly 11-year-long run at “The Late Show.” “So I am grateful to be here on Monroe Community Media, before they also get acquired by Paramount.”"

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