Yes, that’s true. Paramount/CBS had issued takedown notices to YouTube users who were uploading pirated copies of Stephen Colbert’s recent return to hosting episodes of the public access series “Only in Monroe.” However, the reason was not as sinister as one might think. That’s simply because the show is copyrighted and already had a home on Colbert’s new YouTube channel.
However, in light of the outcry against this notice, CBS said it would cease any further action on the takedown, at least for now.
“Stephen Colbert’s return to Monroe in the ‘Only in Monroe’ episode was funded and produced by CBS Studios and posted on Stephen Colbert’s YouTube channel in collaboration with Monroe Community Media and ‘The Late Show’ YouTube channel,” a CBS spokesperson said in a statement. “As is our normal practice, we submit copyright notices to unauthorized websites that post copyrighted content from network/studio talent such as CBS and Stephen Colbert. However, in this episode, we have decided to waive further enforcement of this standard industry practice pending additional review.”
Colbert launched a new YouTube channel a day ago and has only one video up so far. It’s a May 22 hosting gig on Monroe Community Media’s public show “Only in Monroe.” Here’s the problem. Other users on YouTube thoroughly beat him to it with their own uploads, including a site called “The Desk,” where Colbert’s “Only in Monroe” stint had 620,621 views. By comparison, the same video has been viewed approximately 392,486 times on Colbert’s YouTube page.
In other words, this is standard copyright procedure and Paramount/CBS would do the same takedown if they posted an episode of “Matlock.” (Why doesn’t Monroe Community Media announce the takedown? They don’t have enough legal resources.) Rather than watch the rip, the official video is on @Colbert and also shared via collaboration on Monroe Community Media’s YouTube page and “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” page, so anyone who wants to see it can easily watch it.
Insiders say Paramount/CBS was not trying to silence Colbert’s “Only in Monroe,” and was actually financing the production of Colbert’s episode, which included music by Jack White and a guest appearance by Jeff Daniels. (That’s why “The Late Show” owns the copyright to this episode of “Only in Monroe” and is taking the lead in protecting its copyright.)
Colbert first hosted an episode of “Only in Monroe” in July 2015 from Public Access Station Studios in Monroe, Michigan, where he famously launched “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” So it was only natural that Colbert would end his tenure on “The Late Show” by visiting Monroe again.
As Variety noted in writing about his return to “Only in Monroe,” Colbert explained: “Since I was last here in Monroe, Michigan, I spent 11 years as the main host of CBS’ The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, which ended last night,” he said at the beginning of Friday’s local broadcast at 11:35 p.m. “I am grateful that I was able to appear on Monroe Community Media before it was acquired by Paramount, as 23 hours without television was excruciating.”
Eminem, Steve Buscemi (who appeared in Monroe’s Buscemi Pizza and Subscriptions commercial, which he insists is not related to him), and Byron Allen (via a FaceTime call) also appeared in the surprise episode. And Michelle Bauman, a regular host of “Only in Monroe,” and former Miss America Kay Lani Ray Lafko Wilson also reappeared, having previously appeared on the show in 2015.
Here’s Colbert’s “Only in Monroe” episode via @Colbert:
