The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert

Laura Benanti guest stars as America’s first lady, and addresses last week’s bizarre press conference about her involvement with Jeffrey Epstein. Vice President Vance returned empty-handed from negotiations with Iran, President Trump is no closer to achieving his war goals, and the president deleted an AI-generated image of himself that many found blasphemous. A nice woman in a “DoorDash Grandma” t-shirt got a front row seat to Donald Trump’s chaotic relationship with the press when the president asked her to stick around for a news conference following her appearance in the Oval Office. Emmy-winner Maya Rudolph is making her Broadway debut in a show she calls “goofy and weird and bitchy and ridiculous and over-the-top.” Catch her in “Oh, Mary!” starting April 28th, tickets are available now at https://www.ohmaryplay.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

14/04/2026 • 29:55

If you don't know his favorite sandwich, do you really know the hilarious Jim Gaffigan? Find out when he takes the patented Colbert Questionert! 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

13/04/2026 • 18:06

Meanwhile… Washington, D.C. is battling a rat infestation, AI guru Sam Altman says it’ll take another year before his chatbot can start a timer, and scientists are warning people not to try a trending home remedy for hemorrhoids. And American television host Stephen Colbert checks in on the rest of the world in his long-running international news segment, "What's Going On Over There?" 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

12/04/2026 • 11:28

Comedian Pete Holmes says being 47 years old isn't so bad when you are the father of a youngster who loves to be pushed on the playground swings. Pete's new comedy special, "Silly Silly Fun Boy," is available now on the 800 Pound Gorilla streaming service and YouTube. His first book for children, "Spells To Cast On Your Parents," is available for pre-order now. Originally aired March 11, 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

11/04/2026 • 10:00

GRAMMY-winning singer and songwriter Brandi Carlile says the best part of her job is documenting the phases of her personal life and connecting with other people through the songs she creates. In this EXTENDED interview, Brand and Stephen talk more about why she traveled to Minnesota to show solidarity with a community that was being brutalized by the federal government. Check out Brandi Carlile's performance on The Late Show on our YouTube page, and grab tickets to “The Human Tour” at https://www.brandicarlile.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

10/04/2026 • 13:01

No one seems to know if the war against Iran is over, we’re learning more about how Israel’s prime minister convinced President Trump to launch the war, and JD Vance brought his trademark charisma to a rally for Hungarian strongman Viktor Orbán. Emmy-winner Bryan Cranston doggedly pursued the creator of “Malcolm In The Middle” about reuniting the cast, even though his character Hal was routinely subjected to physical stunts like having his body covered in bees. Watch “Malcolm In The Middle: Life’s Still Unfair” this Friday on Hulu. 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

09/04/2026 • 34:26

The crew of NASA’s Artemis II mission completed their historic journey around the moon, President Trump threatened to destroy an entire civilization, and a top official at FEMA has a wild story about teleporting to a Waffle House. As a teenage girl, Oprah Winfrey prayed every day that Paul McCartney would come sweep her off her feet. Little did she know that she would one day stand shoulder to shoulder with the Beatle as their careers were celebrated at the Kennedy Center Honors. Catch new episodes of “The Oprah Podcast” every 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

08/04/2026 • 27:46

President Trump boasted about plans to blow up civilian infrastructure in Iran, children attending a White House Easter event got an earful from the president, and the Artemis II crew has flown farther than any human has gone before. Iconic actor Keanu Reeves stops by to chat about his latest project, a film which also stars Susan Lucci and Martin Scorsese, in which Reeves plays a grown up child star with a troubled past. Watch “Outcome” starting 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

07/04/2026 • 27:36

Late night television legend Arsenio Hall reveals his unorthodox method of snagging celebrity guests for his groundbreaking late night show, and recalls many of the musicians who got their first big break on the program. His memoir, “Arsenio,” 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

06/04/2026 • 12:13

Meanwhile… A dolphin is trying to be like Mike, a big box store is selling a 10-pound chocolate Easter bunny, and bird experts say woodpeckers grunt like tennis players while they peck holes in trees. And science-loving late night host Stephen Colbert brings you all the latest scientific developments from the world of science in his science-focused 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

05/04/2026 • 10:16

If you don’t know which animal she thinks is scariest, or whether she prefers the window or aisle seat on flights, do you really know Hollywood superstar Scarlett Johansson? 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

04/04/2026 • 14:57

Space fans are over the moon about the successful launch of Artemis II, Attorney General Pam Bondi lost her job today, and President Trump’s primetime speech about the Iran war was all over the map. In this extended interview with Stephen Colbert, legendary musician Paul Simon talks about moving to Europe in the 1960s, busking on the streets of Paris, taking requests at his concerts, and some of the lyricists he most admires. Go to our YouTube channel to see a performance by Paul Simon and grab tickets for this summer’s “A Quiet Celebration” tour at tour.paulsimon.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

03/04/2026 • 31:30

An administration official insists that President Trump is playing “12-dimensional chess” with his Iran war strategy, the president reportedly had a very bad time at today’s Supreme Court hearing on birthright citizenship, and NASA’s Artemis II mission launched four astronauts towards the moon today. American treasure Meryl Streep shares a clip from “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” and points out that the original film was made on a shoestring budget compared to the sequel. Stick around for more from this EXTENDED interview with Meryl Streep and watch “The Devil Wears Prada 2” in theaters May 1st.  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

02/04/2026 • 31:39

President Trump appears willing to walk away from the disaster he created in the Middle East, Pope Leo XIV rejected the idea that Jesus would support America’s war, and a judge ruled that Trump must cease work on his White House ballroom. Tony-winner Nathan Lane treats Stephen Colbert and the Ed Sullivan Theater audience to a special performance of “Laughing Matters,” accompanied by composer and lyricist Marc Shaiman. 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

01/04/2026 • 29:27

Over eight million people marched in the third “No Kings” protest, President Trump appears to be making up his Iran war strategy on-the-fly, and the war is causing global economic pain and shortages of resources like helium. The Late Show is raising money for World Central Kitchen with a special t-shirt that celebrates the show’s upcoming series finale, and President Trump’s name and likeness will soon appear on official U.S. currency. Grab one of the t-shirts today at colbertlateshow.com/ebay.  Emmy-winner John Mulaney had some explaining to do when, during a tour of Graceland with his Elvis-loving son, the boy asked if he could meet The King. Tickets to Mulaney’s “Mister Whatever” standup comedy tour at www.johnmulaney.com. David Byrne talks about what makes his latest album and tour, titled “Who Is The Sky?,” different from his previous work, “American Utopia.” One thing that is very different is the use of video footage of Trump’s immigration raids, which Byrne shows on video screens while performing a Talking Heads classic, “Life During Wartime.” Watch as the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer explains why he delves into politics on this tour, and check out our YouTube page for a performance of a song from “Who Is The Sky?”  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

31/03/2026 • 36:41

GRAMMY-winner Dave Matthews tells Stephen Colbert that his first concert was Pete Seeger, who performed his legendary American folk songs from the back of a flatbed truck. More recently, David Byrne's career-spanning live show has been a major source of inspiration. After you're done listening to this Pod Show EXCLUSIVE extended interview, head over to the Late Show's YouTube channel to watch Dave Matthews perform THREE SONGS! You can grab tickets for Dave Matthews Band's upcoming tour dates at davematthewsband.com/tour. 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

30/03/2026 • 11:18

Late Show writer and certified young single person Eliana Kwartler joins Stephen for an examination of the latest dating trends among young people. 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

29/03/2026 • 08:17

Tony-winning actor David Alan Grier tells Stephen about his passion for medicine, his early efforts to become a musician, and more in this Pod Show exclusive extended cut of their conversation. Watch David Alan Grier in "St. Denis Medical" airing Monday nights on NBC. 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

28/03/2026 • 10:54

In this Late Show Pod Show exclusive, Stephen Colbert dives deep into his comedic philosophy with an impromptu, well-cited, essay-like definition in tonight's edition of 'Late Show Vocab.' Then hear an extended cut of Stephen's interview with comedy legend and friend-of-the-show Robert Smigel, where they talk about the early days of writing on 'The Dana Carvey Show' and 'TV Funhouse' together and a memorable experience Smigel had with Al Pacino. "Humor Me with Robert Smigel and Friends" is available May 8th wherever you get your podcasts, and "Night of Too Many Stars" is at the Hollywood Bowl on May 7th. 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

27/03/2026 • 29:28

Stephen Colbert is talking cents on the podcast tonight in another exclusive Pod Show visit! Plus, Stephen and his producer Becca get into a new round of 'Late Show Vocab' to explain behind-the-scenes shorthand used by our comedy 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

26/03/2026 • 20:11

It just wouldn't be a "Stephen Presents" podcast if our host didn't get a little bit off track and tell an epic behind-the-scenes story about The Colbert Report's week in Iraq in 2009, would it? Tune in for the whole ride this week as Stephen graces the Pod Show with more exclusive stories, and enjoy tonight's discussion of the very viral pita concoction from Jeff Daniels' Colbert Questionert! 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

25/03/2026 • 33:22

Stephen Colbert makes another special appearance on The Late Show Pod Show and goes over The Ed Sullivan Theater’s WPA history with our producer Becca. Then launch into a truly unforgettable Colbert Questionert with a rock legend - because if you don’t know his favorite sandwich, or whether he prefers cats or dogs, do you really know Pete Townshend? 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

24/03/2026 • 27:25

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

23/03/2026 • 28:56

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

22/03/2026 • 11:38

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

21/03/2026 • 12:32

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

20/03/2026 • 14:44

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

19/03/2026 • 35:45

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

18/03/2026 • 26:42

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

17/03/2026 • 35:22

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

16/03/2026 • 12:43