Stephen Colbert Returns to TV One Day After Ending Late-Night Show

After discussing local issues in a late-night-style monologue, doing shots with Michelle and Kaye and trying Jeff’s viral Colbert Questionert sandwich, the episode ended with Stephen, Jeff and Jack destroying the show’s set and tossing everything into a dumpster. Before lighting up the bin on fire, the trio got the all-clear from “fire marshal” Eminem (real name Marshall Mathers).

While Stephen’s appearing on TV less than a day after the final Late Show episode came as a surprise, it shouldn’t have. After all, the comedian himself told his viewers they would possibly find him on the local program.

“Tonight is our final broadcast from the Ed Sullivan Theater,” he told his audience during his last monologue on the May 21 show. “We were lucky enough to be here for the last 11 years, all right? Can’t take this for granted.”

He continued, “Though technically our first show in July of 2015 was from a public access station in Monroe, Michigan, for an audience of 12 people.”

Stephen—who began hosting The Late Show in 2015 following David Letterman‘s exit shortly after his first Only in Monroe guest hosting gig—then teased he would be going back to his roots and would pop up on the public TV program.

“Show business being what it is these days,” he said, “that’s probably where you’ll see me next.”

And while Stephen is a comedian after all, he wasn’t joking around.

Yet, during his official late-night send-off the day prior, Stephen emphasized that bringing humor and happiness to viewers has always been at the Late Show’s core.