The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert

Bestselling author and Booker Prize winner George Saunders talks about obsessively revising his work, seeing things from a dead character's perspective, and why works of fiction can help people make sense of difficult realities. And in this EXCLUSIVE extended interview, hear Stephen and George talk more about writer's block and their favorite Flannery O'Connor short stories, only on The Late Show Pod Show! His latest book, "Vigil," is available now. Stick around for an even more in-depth interview with The Late Show Book Club, when our bookworm producer Ali chats with George Saunders about the music that inspires him to write, the Russian short story he thinks will change your life, and his favorite advice for aspiring writers. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Meanwhile... A steak house chain established a new dress code, there's weird new polling about what a tooth is worth, and experts say it's best to keep your cats inside. Next, Stephen Colbert dives deep into the manosphere to look at some of the latest aesthetic trends for American men. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Director, actor and writer Maggie Gyllenhaal's EXTENDED cut of her latest Late Show visit to discuss her new movie, "The Bride!," which seeks to tell the story of the woman in Frankenstein's monster's life from her own perspective for the first time on film. "The Bride!" is in theaters now. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Friend of the show Chef José Andrés stops by to help Stephen launch the brand new “The Last Show” t-shirt, which is available now at colbertlateshow.com/ebay with all profits going to World Central Kitchen. Next, the chef & humanitarian is cooking with fire as he teaches Stephen how to make his signature paella dish and a red-hot rum drink. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kim Jong Un was re-elected as North Korea's leader, Trump's counterterrorism chief quit over the Iran war, Rep. Markwayne Mullin might not be the best pick to run DHS, and cousins can still marry each other in Florida. Friend of the show Edward Norton stops by with no project to promote, just a poem in his back pocket. Hear this extended cut of Stephen's interview with Edward Norton including a performance of a section from Walt Whitman's “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry.” To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

America's allies aren't lining up to join the war against Iran, Stephen shares his enthusiasm for the MarineTraffic app, and President Trump is threatening to “take” the country of Cuba. Actor Elijah Wood won't confirm or deny rumors that he's set to play Frodo again in an upcoming project, and shares that he and his Middle Earth cast-mates keep in touch via a long-running text chain. See “Ready or Not 2: Here I Come” in theaters this Friday.  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump told reporters he might bomb Iranian oil facilities for the fun of it, Pete Hegseth is mad at the media for accurately reporting on the war, and the president is having trouble remembering his favorite catchphrases. Tony-winners Trey Parker, Matt Stone and Robert Lopez created an obscenity-riddled Broadway musical so funny that even the Mormon Church itself got in on the joke. GRAMMY-winner Andrew Rannells shares his personal recollections about auditioning for the role of Elder Price in the original Broadway production of “The Book of Mormon,” and says audiences never get upset by the spicy lyrics. Check out our YouTube page for a performance by Andrew Rannells and the Broadway company of “The Book of Mormon!” To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you don't know his favorite action movie, or who performed at his first concert, do you really know late night comedy legend Conan O'Brien? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Meanwhile... Customers calling a support line were surprised by a malfunctioning AI bot, the home from "The Brady Bunch" is now an official Los Angeles landmark, New Yorkers are bracing for new audio ads in the subway system, Stephen has a few words for the nerds who created an advanced "Lord of the Rings" climate model, tequila magnate George Clooney is introducing a non-alcoholic beer, and researchers claim to have solved the mystery of why cats always land on their feet. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

John Lithgow makes his tenth appearance on The Late Show and brings along a special poem he wrote for our host in this exclusive EXTENDED Podcast interview. John Lithgow is on Broadway starting this week in “Giant,” find tickets and more information at gianttheplay.com.  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Energy investors are struggling to keep up as America's war against Iran roils the markets, President Trump says higher gas prices will be worth it in the long run, and this summer our nation's capital will host an IndyCar race named “Freedom 250.” CNN Chief International Correspondent Clarissa Ward joins live from Erbil, Iraq to provide an on-the-ground perspective on what's happening in the Middle East as the United States and Israel continue their attack on Iran, and as the Pentagon memeifies violent imagery on their official social media. Tune in to CNN for more of Clarissa Ward's reporting from the Middle East.  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump is trying to have it both ways on the Iran war, Pete Hegseth oversaw an historic surge in Pentagon spending on food and housewares, the nation's capitol will host an IndyCar race this summer, and the president is making all the men in his orbit wear shoes from Florsheim. Oscar-nominated actress Michelle Pfeiffer says she signed on to star in “The Madison” without ever seeing a script, but she did seek advice from legendary actress Helen Mirren on what to expect when working with “Yellowstone” creator Taylor Sheridan. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Iran selected a new leader without seeking America's approval, President Trump wore a novelty hat to an event honoring soldiers killed in action, and the president insulted his Spanish-speaking guests at the first meeting of the Shield of the Americas. National security analyst and podcast host Paul Rieckhoff describes President Trump's use of the military as “all gas, no brakes” and says that Congress is utterly failing by ceding control of America's warfighting to the president. New episodes of the podcast “Independent Americans” are available on Wednesdays wherever you get your podcasts.  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Acclaimed actor Harvey Guillén is set to make his Broadway debut next month in “The Rocky Horror Show,” and he tells Stephen what it was like to walk into the iconic Studio 54 nightclub space for the first time with his cast-mates. “The Rocky Horror Show” opens March 26th. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Brandini is making balloon animals to help pay off his med school debt, Megan Thee Stallion is headed to Broadway to star in "Moulin Rouge," and parents are being warned not to pack pre-made cocktails in their kids' school lunch bags. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Beloved comedian Maria Bamford stops by to catch up with Stephen about life in Minnesota, early-morning stand-up shows, and what it's like being the subject of a documentary. The doc, "Paralyzed By Hope: The Maria Bamford Story," is screening at SXSW this month and you can find tickets to Maria Bamford's comedy tour at https://mariabamford.com. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Beloved comedian Maria Bamford stops by to catch up with Stephen about life in Minnesota, early-morning stand-up shows, and what it's like being the subject of a documentary. The doc, "Paralyzed By Hope: The Maria Bamford Story," is screening at SXSW this month and you can find tickets to Maria Bamford's comedy tour at ⁠https://mariabamford.com⁠. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump is replacing Kristi Noem after her disastrous performance at televised congressional hearings, we're learning more about how poorly trained Noem's ICE agents are thanks to testimony from a whistleblower, and RFK Jr. may soon regret attacking one of New England's most beloved brands. Stephen's friend and fellow late night host Jimmy Fallon stops by for his first interview on The Late Show. Watch as the two reminisce about the good times they've shared, including a mind-blowing trip to meet Pope Francis, and sing along as Jimmy Fallon pays tribute to Stephen in the most Fallon way possible: with a song. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump keeps undermining his administration's own talking points about the combat operations against Iran, Israel's foreign minister threatened “elimination” to anyone selected as Iran's next supreme leader, and the CEO of McDonald's is making food influencer videos.  “Rooster” star Steve Carell stops by to help Stephen Colbert raise some cash for World Central Kitchen by auctioning off one-of-a-kind pieces of television history ahead of the series finale of The Late Show. Learn more about what's up for grabs at colbertlateshow.com/ebay. Beloved comedian and actor Steve Carell recalls his Second City pal Chris Farley as “a force of nature” and says it was impossible to succeed as his understudy, especially in scenes like Farley's signature character Matt Foley who lived “in a van down by the river.” To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The State Department wants Americans to leave the Middle East but won't provide transportation, President Trump says the biggest bombs have yet to fall, and U.S. commanders are telling troops that Trump was appointed by Jesus to bring about Armageddon by starting a war in Iran. Oscar-nominated actor Jake Gyllenhaal reaches between the cushions of The Late Show's guest chair to find a note left for him by his big sister and lifelong director, Maggie Gyllenhaal. Their new film “The Bride!” is in theaters this Friday.  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump still hasn't told the American people why he's bombing Iran, the U.S. and Israel have sent mixed messages about whether the goal is regime change, and Secretary Hegseth boasted that the military will disregard customary rules of engagement during this campaign. Brett McGurk, CNN national security analyst and former Middle East advisor to four presidents, warns in this EXTENDED conversation that President Trump has entered into a war without communicating clear objectives and a clear plan on how to achieve them. Tony-winner Daniel Radcliffe explains that while his new Broadway show “Every Brilliant Thing” is technically a one-man-show, the high level of audience participation ensures that he's not acting alone every night. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Emmy-winner Bradley Whitford returns to The Late Show to indulge Stephen in some "The West Wing" nostalgia and to offer a sneak peek at his new film, which was written and directed by his wife, Amy Landecker. "For Worse" is in theaters this Friday. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Meanwhile... Scientists examined the body of a man who may have had three penises, zoo employees observed an intense staring contest between a giraffe and an ostrich, singles in New York City are grappling on first dates, a surgeon is making balloon animals to pay off his med school debt, and a man accidentally gained control of 7,000 robot vacuums. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you don't know her favorite smell, or what she thinks happens when we die, do you really know Emma Thompson? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A camel beauty contest in Oman was marred by a cheating scandal, President Trump seems poised to attack Iran without first justifying it to the American people, and the president's pick for Surgeon General is a wellness influencer without an active license to practice medicine. Actors Kurt and Wyatt Russell sit down for a joint, EXTENDED interview with Stephen Colbert that starts with a chat about Stephen's favorite feel-good film, “The Thing,” which stars Kurt Russell and leaves viewers searching for answers about the mysterious ending. Watch Kurt & Wyatt in season two of “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters” on AppleTV. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The only people who liked President Trump's State of the Union speech were the thirstiest MAGA buttkissers, it's unclear why the DOJ didn't search Jeffrey Epstein's storage units despite having a warrant, and Stephen takes a look at a big fight brewing between the Pentagon and an artificial intelligence company. GRAMMY- and Oscar-nominated singer and actress Teyana Taylor is basking in the well-deserved glow of praise she's receiving for her performance as Perfidia Beverly Hills in “One Battle After Another.” To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stephen Colbert is LIVE right after Trump's State Of The Union Address, with friend of the show John Dickerson to make sense of the night, post-midnight! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A tumultuous snowstorm pummeled the Northeast, the United States won big in hockey and figure skating at the Olympics, and the Supreme Court struck down President Trump's tariffs. Former Senator Jeff Flake is revealed as the winner of an extra special item that was up for grabs in The Late Show's charity auction. Check http://colbertlateshow.com/ebay now for your chance to bid on one-of-a-kind television memorabilia items from The Late Show. All proceeds go to support the mission of our friends at World Central Kitchen! Emmy-winner Ray Romano recalls his many appearances on David Letterman's “Late Show,” and shares the story of going numb from anxiety before his first time performing on “The Tonight Show." Catch him on Broadway now in “All Out” at the Nederlander Theater. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Best-selling author Michael Pollan returns to The Late Show to chat with Stephen about the difference between awareness and consciousness, and what the latest science says about life forms like bacteria, insects and plants. Grab a copy of his latest book, “A World Appears: A Journey Into Consciousness,” available everywhere next Tuesday. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Meanwhile... Stephen reveals the reason people eat at places like Applebee's, Logan Paul made millions flipping a rare Pokémon card, couples are flocking to a secret "kissing room" in Grand Central Station, and a rare ice formation has emerged in upstate New York. And because Stephen Colbert loves science, he wants to tell you all the latest science in his science segment, The Sound Of Science. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Best-selling author Walter Isaacson describes the Declaration of Independence as "America's mission statement" and argues that the ideals of equality set forth in the opening line of the document reflected the hopes of the country"s founders, not the reality of existing civil rights at the time. "The Greatest Sentence Ever Written" is available now. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A major figure in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal is finally facing consequences, President Trump held the first meeting of his Board of Peace, and the fallout from President Obama's comment about alien life forms continues. Emmy-winner Melissa McCarthy stops by to show some love to Stephen and to share a truly surreal story about getting a call from Barbra Streisand and finding herself headed to the music legend's home to record a duet. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Pope turned down Trump's invitation to join the made-up Board of Peace, the president's approval numbers have never been lower, RFK Jr. and Kid Rock posted a cringe workout video from Kid's home gym, and Stephen has heartwarming news about a young monkey named Punch. “The Epstein Class” is a phrase coined by Senator Jon Ossoff to refer to the ultra-wealthy and political elites who are operating as if the rules don't apply to them. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Several major holidays including Lunar New Year, Ramadan and Mardi Gras converged today, Americans are less hopeful than ever, several business leaders and European politicians have been ousted over their ties to Jeffrey Epstein, and Stephen reads some titillating poetry written by California gubernatorial candidate Eric Swalwell. Next up, Stephen Colbert goes on the record about his interview with Texas State Rep. James Talarico, the FCC's “equal time” rule, and today's statement from CBS. And Kaitlan Collins talks about the conversations she's had with women who survived sexual abuse at the hands of Jeffrey Epstein and others in his circle, and what motivates those women to continue to press for their abusers to be brought to justice. Watch “The Source with Kaitlan Collins” weeknights on CNN. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this Pod Show exclusive BONUS episode, Stephen Colbert explains to his broadcast audience that a new directive from Brendan Carr's FCC makes it next to impossible for CBS to air his interview with Texas State Rep. James Talarico on CBS. Then hear what couldn't go on TV last night, and get the online-exclusive interview that touches on the issues raised in Talarico's campaign for the Democratic nomination for Senate including the separation of church and state, the dangers of consolidated corporate-owned media, and the fabricated culture wars pushed by Republicans in states like Texas. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The alleged affair between DHS Sec. Kristi Noem and her advisor Corey Lewandowski is reportedly making life hell for their staffers, President Obama backpedaled after telling a podcaster that aliens are real, and you should think twice before taking nutrition advice from the chatbot on the new HHS website. Beloved actress Jennifer Garner knows how to live life to the fullest, whether it's taking her mom to Canada to see the Northern Lights, or enjoying the unique pleasures of a snow day in New York City. Watch the Season Two premiere of “The Last Thing He Told Me” this Friday on AppleTV.  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oscar-nominated writer and director Ryan Coogler talks about what it takes to stay on top of his game as a director, and bonds with Stephen over their shared love of the film, "The Thing." Coogler's Golden Globe-winning film "Sinners" has returned to theaters for a limited time. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you don't know his favorite action movie, or which five words he would use to describe the rest of his life, do you really know legendary musician "Weird" Al Yankovic? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this exclusive Pod Show introduction, Stephen tells the Late Show listeners why Yo-Yo Ma loves coming on the show, and why the show loves having him! Then hear the national treasure and virtuoso's EXTENDED conversation about music, energy, and how humans relate to the rest of the natural world. Go to YouTube.com/ColbertLateShow for a performance by Yo-Yo Ma and listen to the "Our Common Nature" podcast, available now. Yo-Yo Ma originally aired January 13th, 2026. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this extra long, extra exclusive Pod Show introduction, Stephen Colbert and his producer Becca talk about carousels, The Knack, reading from a prompter, what it's like being interviewed by Terry Gross, and more behind-the-scenes thoughts and feelings that you won't hear Stephen talk about anywhere else! Then enjoy this beautiful, extended interview with radio icon Terry Gross, featuring stories from early in her life and career that we didn't have time to air on TV. Terry Gross originally aired January 8th, 2026. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stephen's on the podcast telling the origin story of The Late Show's resident First Lady: Broadway star and friend-of-the-show Laura Benanti! Hear her latest performance as Melania, followed by a conversation with Stephen as her lovely self from 2017 when she explains how she first prepared for her iconic impression. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices