CBS Halts Copyright Notices for Colbert’s Surprise TV Appearance

CBS has paused issuing copyright notices for an episode of “Only in Monroe” featuring Stephen Colbert. This move follows criticism after Colbert’s unexpected return to the public access program, shortly after the end of his tenure on “The Late Show.”

Colbert, who had recently wrapped up his run on CBS with a star-filled finale, appeared on the Monroe, Michigan-based show. His appearance on “Only in Monroe” mirrored his 2015 appearance prior to debuting on “The Late Show.” Viewers trying to share this episode received copyright takedown notices, which fueled online criticism against CBS and its parent company, Paramount.

Journalist Matthew Keys highlighted on Saturday that Paramount was seemingly attempting to prevent the episode from being shared on social media platforms, despite its production by a public access channel. Keys later confirmed that Paramount had withdrawn the copyright claim.

A CBS spokesperson clarified that the episode was financed and produced by CBS Studios. It was uploaded on Stephen Colbert’s YouTube channel in coordination with Monroe Community Media and “The Late Show’s” YouTube channels. The spokesperson mentioned, “As is our regular practice, we send copyright notices to unauthorized websites that post copyrighted content.” However, CBS decided to suspend further enforcement of this practice pending a review.

Amidst this situation, it is important to note that CBS announced the cancellation of “The Late Show” in July after a 33-year run. The network faced accusations of political pressure due to Colbert’s critical stance against President Donald Trump during his tenure. CBS, however, attributed the cancellation to financial reasons linked to challenges in the late-night market.

During his farewell monologue, Colbert alluded to his participation in “Only in Monroe.” He acknowledged the privilege of broadcasting from the Ed Sullivan Theater for 11 years. Colbert humorously remarked about the possibility of returning to his roots in Monroe, Michigan, hinting at the transformation of the entertainment landscape.