Stephen Colbert hosted a Michigan public-access show, grilled Eminem on Bob Seger
Monroe, Michigan, got an unexpected jolt of star power on Wednesday when Stephen Colbert stopped by MPACT, the local public-access TV station, to host Only In Monroe, a local interest program. Why? "Since my last show ended in December, I've been itching to host a talk show again," Colbert explained, "but my new theater's not ready yet, so I decided to head over to Monroe, Michigan, look around, and give it a Michigander."
Let's be honest, the show is 41 minutes long and you're probably not going to watch all of it. About four minutes in, Colbert starts interviewing the show's regular hosts, Michelle Bowman and Kaye Lani Rae Rafko Wilson, and at the 22-minute mark he has on "a local Michigander who is making a name for himself in the competitive world of music," Marshall Mathers. ("We didn’t know that the guest was going to be Eminem until the day of," MPACT program director Lance Sottile tells The New York Times. "It just sort of happened and we were like, 'Oh — oh my gosh.'")
Colbert asked Eminem about his musical influences, and when the rapper said he likes Bob Seger, Colbert grilled him on Seger songs. Colbert won. The premise is that Colbert has no idea who Eminem is, or that he's famous. "I'm so confused right now," Eminem said after a bit. "I can't tell if you're serious, or..." That's sort of always the question with Colbert, but hosting a local public-access show proves he's serious about... something. Watch as much of this very special edition of Only In Monroe below. Peter Weber
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
7 drinks for every winter need possible
The Week Recommends Including a variety of base spirits and a range of temperatures
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
'We have made it a crime for most refugees to want the American dream'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
Was the Azerbaijan Airlines plane shot down?
Today's Big Question Multiple sources claim Russian anti-aircraft missile damaged passenger jet, leading to Christmas Day crash that killed at least 38
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Drake claims illegal boosting, defamation
Speed Read The rapper accused Universal Music of boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track and said UMG allowed him to be falsely accused of pedophilia
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' ignite holiday box office
Speed Read The combination of the two movies revitalized a struggling box office
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Jussie Smollet conviction overturned on appeal
Speed Read The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the actor's conviction on charges of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published