Stephen Colbert hosts Michigan public-access show 'Only in Monroe'

Incoming Late Show star Stephen Colbert guest-hosted Southeast Michigan's local-interest, cable- access program Only in Monroe where he interviewed media-shy rapper Eminem.

The clip already has gotten more than 2.9 million views on YouTube since it was posted Wednesday.

"Since my last show [The Colbert Report] ended in December, I've been itching to host a talk show again, but my new theater's not ready yet, so I decided to head over to Monroe, Michigan, look around and give it a Michi-gander," he said at the beginning of the 41-minute video. "Obviously, native Monrovians know a lot about this town already, but people all over the world can subscribe to MPACT's YouTube channel and binge-watch 2014's city-council meetings. Spoiler alert: Hope you didn't get too attached to that free parking on Cass Street. It did not end well."

Later in the show, Colbert made small talk with Eminem -- a Michigan native whose real name is Marshall Mathers -- and tested the musician's knowledge of Bob Seger songs before grilling him about his own music.

"What kind of rap do you do? Are you like, sort of sing-songy rap like Bone Thugs-n-Harmony or are you more street, like Will Smith?" Colbert wanted to know.

"Middle, probably," Eminem replied.

"I'm so grateful to the people of Monroe, Mich., and the whole crew at MPACT Studios," Colbert said in a statement after the program aired. "I'd especially like to thank local performer Marshall Mathers -- that man is poised for a breakout. He just needs a good stage name. I'm thinking 'MarshMat.'"

A press release issued by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert quipped: "Colbert's episode of Only in Monroe has become a viral sensation, though if he had bothered to inform his team of marketing professionals about it, no doubt it would have been even viralier. After all, they're the reason why TMZ never got the video of Colbert's belligerent meltdown over the number of pita-chip bags he was entitled to as a Southwest Rapid Rewards member."

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is to premiere on Sept. 8 on CBS.