Stephen Colbert’s secret trip to Michigan ended in a total dumpster fire

If you thought Stephen Colbert was just going to ride off into the sunset and quietly enjoy retirement after wrapping up The Late Show last month, you clearly don’t know Stephen Colbert.

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Just one day after his emotional final network broadcast, Stephen Colbert surprised everyone by popping up exactly where nobody expected him: Monroe, Michigan.

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Colbert staged a massive surprise return to Only in Monroe, the local public-access TV show he first took over back in 2015.

Back then he had on Michigan native, and global rap superstar Eminem.

For his second time back Colbert didn't come alone.

He brought Michigan's own Jack White along as his "volunteer musical director," and Jeff Daniels also appeared on the show as a guest.

But the chaos didn't stop when the cameras turned off.

At the end of the episode, Colbert put the show's set on fire in a dumpster.

But thankfully some items from the show survived and Colbert is putting them up for sale on eBay to help out our friends on the east side of the state.

Every single cent raised from the auction will go directly to Monroe Community Media—the actual real-life nonprofit that keeps Monroe's public access TV and low-power radio alive.

If you want a piece of Michigan television history, you need to check out what's on the bidding block right now.

The Surviving "Only in Monroe" Swag

• The 2026 Script (Signed by EVERYONE):  It is fully autographed by Colbert, Jack White, Jeff Daniels, and local Monroe legends Michelle Baumann and Kaye Lani Rae Rafko Wilson. Bidding has already exploded past $3,100 for this one.

• The Original 2015 Script: He’s also selling the script from his original, iconic 2015 public access takeover, hand-signed by Stephen himself.

• The "Only in Monroe" Coffee Mug: Colbert's actual show-used coffee mug from the May 22 broadcast is up for grabs, complete with his autograph. Last check showed the bids creeping up toward $1,000.

• Charred Set Pieces: You can buy pieces of the set that survived the episode's fiery conclusion. These survived the dumpster fire and are signed by the whole cast.

You can check out all the items Stephen Colbert has up for auction here.

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