CBS slapped online users with requests that videos must be removed after they shared footage of Stephen Colbert’s surprise return to late-night television Friday, before the network swiftly backtracked on its copyright threats.
Colbert thrilled fans just 24 hours after his departure from The Late Show by appearing as the host of Only in Monroe, the same local access show in Michigan he commandeered for one night shortly before starting his stint on the CBS program 11 years ago.
Short clips and full uploads of the episode, which featured musician Jack White, a skit from actor Steve Buscemi, and a cameo from Eminem, were posted online before Colbert launched his own official YouTube channel, beating him to the punch.
Media outlet The Desk was among the publications struck with a copyright infringement notice after its upload of the episode received more than 700,000 views. Under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, the owner of the content can request that a website take down the content if it was posted without permission.
“Paramount is apparently trying to suppress copies of ‘Only in Monroe’ from appearing on other social platforms by filing frivolous copyright notices, even though the show was produced by a public access TV channel and doesn't use their intellectual property…,” The Desk’s founder editor Matthew Keys wrote early on Sunday in a post on X.
Following backlash, CBS said in a statement to Variety that it was waiving the notices while it reviewed the situation.
“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,” the CBS spokesperson said.
“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 continued. “However, for this episode, we have decided to waive further enforcement of this standard industry practice until additional review.”
The Independent has contacted CBS for more information.
Colbert’s official YouTube channel has since posted the episode, which has received more than 400,000 views.
The 62-year-old referenced his 2015 stint on the small Michigan public-access program in his final appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.
“Technically our first show in July of 2015 was from a public access station in Monroe, Michigan, for an audience of 12 people,” Colbert said. “Show business being what it is these days, that’s probably where you’ll see me next.”
Colbert couldn’t resist taking a swipe at Paramount, CBS’s parent company.
“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,” the comedian quipped.
The final episode of the late-night show attracted an audience of 6.74 million viewers, making it the most-watched weeknight episode during the show’s 11-year run.
