The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 11, Episode 17: Julia Roberts, Sam Smith

John Oliver, Joe Dombrowski

Stephen unveils his ‘Funko Pop!’ figure. John Oliver discusses ‘Last Week Tonight’. Joe Dombrowski gives a stand-up performance.

41 min

Jamie Lee Curtis, Carmelo Anthony

Shrimp-mergency. Jamie Lee Curtis takes "The Colbert Questionert" (new footage from July 29, 2025 episode). Carmelo Anthony discusses ‘NBA 2K26’ and his induction to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

41 min

Drew Barrymore, Katherine Maher

Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Drew Barrymore discusses ‘The Drew Barrymore Show’. Katherine Maher discusses recent politics.

41 min

Cillian Murphy, Lady Gaga, Will Ferrell

It Was All a Dream: Ten Years of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (special appearances by Julianne Moore and John Oliver). Stephen acknowledges Late Show director Jim Hoskinson’s first Emmy win for Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series. A Fond Look Back on the Things Stephen Chooses to Remember. Will Ferrell discusses ‘Zoolander 2’ and "rare animals" (footage from February 7, 2016 episode). Cillian Murphy discusses ‘Steve’. Lady Gaga performs "Vanish into You" from her album ‘Mayhem’.

41 min

Sonia Sotomayor, Eugene Levy

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor discusses recent politics and her new book, ‘Just Shine!: How To Be A Better You’. Eugene Levy discusses ‘The Reluctant Traveler’.

41 min

Jennifer Aniston, Cooper Hoffman

Stephen acknowledges the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Russian Drones Are on the March. Rescue Dog Rescue with Jennifer Aniston. Jennifer Aniston discusses ‘The Morning Show’. Cooper Hoffman discusses ‘The Long Walk’.

41 min

Usher, Mac DeMarco

Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Usher discusses his career as a singer and the Ralph’s Club New York fragrance. Jim Hoskinson discusses his career as a director and his retirement from ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’. Mac DeMarco performs "Shining" from his album ‘Guitar’.

41 min

Brandi Carlile, Samin Nosrat

The Clown. Stephen acknowledges ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ winning the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Series. Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Brandi Carlile discusses her new album, ‘Returning to Myself’. Samin Nosrat steps into the kitchen with Stephen and discusses her new book, ‘Good Things: Recipes and Rituals with People You Love’.

41 min

Ron Howard, Gary Oldman

Fast & Furious 11: London Drift… Off to Sleep. Mooooon Newwwws. Ooh Ooh! Ah! Ah! Update! Ooh Ooh! Ah! Ah! Update! Presents: Under the Chimpfluence. Ron Howard discusses the 30th anniversary re-release of ’Apollo 13’. Gary Oldman takes "The Colbert Questionert" (new footage from March 13, 2025 episode).

41 min

Jake Tapper, St. Vincent

Stephen Colbert, former host of The Colbert Report, returns to television to do a special segment of "The Wørd" with "Shhhhhh!". Jake Tapper discusses recent politics and his new book, ‘Race Against Terror’. David Remnick discusses recent politics and his new film, ’The New Yorker at 100’.

41 min

Scarlett Johansson, Sen. Mark Kelly

Trump Hospital. Scarlett Johansson discusses ‘Eleanor the Great’. Senator Mark Kelly discusses recent politics.

41 min

Gov. Gavin Newsom, Priscilla Presley

Prescott Pharmaceuticals Bite Stick. Governor Gavin Newsom discusses recent politics. Priscilla Presley discusses her new book, ‘Softly, As I Leave You’.

41 min

Sen. Chris Murphy, Lainey Wilson

"Escalator Sabotage". Escalator Investigator. Late Show Presents: The Sound of Science. Senator Chris Murphy discusses recent politics. Lainey Wilson discusses the deluxe edition of her album ‘Whirlwind’. Lainey Wilson performs "Somewhere Over Laredo".

41 min

Jeremy Strong, Carrie Preston

Escalator Investigator. Escalator Investigator Presents: Triple Sabotage at the U.N. Escalator Investigator Presents: Teleprompter Investigompter. Escalator Investigator Presents: Ineffective Acoustics Detective Sleuth-Fix. Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Jeremy Strong discusses ‘The White House Effect and Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere’. Carrie Preston discusses ‘Elsbeth’.

41 min

Conan O'Brien

Senior Alert Warning System. Waregon. Conan O’Brien discusses his career, ‘If I Had Legs I’d Kick You’ and ‘Conan O’Brien Must Go’. The cast of ‘Ragtime’ (Joshua Henry and Nichelle Lewis) performs "Wheels of a Dream".

41 min

Jimmy Kimmel, Sam Smith

Jimmy Kimmel discusses his suspension and Jimmy Kimmel Live! Kimmel’s sidekick, Guillermo Rodriguez, makes a special appearance. Sam Smith discusses their residency, "To Be Free: New York City".

41 min

Lady Gaga

Trump Rx. Lady Gaga discusses ‘Mayhem’ and her concert tour, "The Mayhem Ball" (interview pre-taped at The Bitter End in the Greenwich Village).

41 min

Keanu Reeves, Alex Winter, J.I.D

Stephen acknowledges the death of Diane Keaton. Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter discuss ‘Waiting for Godot’, ‘Adulthood’ and ‘Good Fortune’. JID performs "Glory" from his new album, ‘God Does Like Ugly’.

41 min

Bette Midler, Tim Meadows

Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Bette Midler discusses the New York Restoration Project’s annual "Hulaween" charity event. Tim Meadows discusses ‘DMV’.

41 min

Anderson Cooper, Mason Thames

Anderson Cooper discusses recent politics and All There Is, Live’. Mason Thames discusses ‘Black Phone 2’.

41 min

Nick Offerman, José Andrés, Nathaniel Rateliff

Nathaniel Rateliff sits in with the band and provides musical accompaniment. David Ellison Appreciation Cam. Community Calendar: Minooka, Illinois with Nick Offerman. Nick Offerman discusses his new book, ‘Little Woodchucks’. Chef José Andrés steps into the kitchen with Stephen and Nick Offerman and discusses his new restaurant, ‘Bazaar Meat’.

41 min

Jeremy Renner, Karine Jean-Pierre, Laura Benanti

The Santoshank Redemption. A cameo appearance by Laura Benanti as Melania Trump. Jeremy Renner discusses ‘Mayor of Kingstown’ and his new book, ‘My Next Breath’. Karine Jean-Pierre discusses her new book, ‘Independent’.

41 min

Michael J. Fox, Jeff Tweedy

Michael J. Fox discusses the 40th anniversary of Back to the Future and his new book, ‘Future Boy (interview pre-taped without an audience). Jeff Tweedy discusses his new album, ‘Twilight Override’. Jeff Tweedy performs "Enough".

41 min

Emma Stone, Alex Wagner

So You Think You American, with Late Show writer Felipe Torres Medina. Emma Stone discusses ‘Bugonia’. Alex Wagner discusses recent politics and her new podcast, ‘Runaway Country’.

41 min

Ben Stiller, Tig Notaro

"Ballroom Grift". Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Ben Stiller discusses ‘Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost’. Tig Notaro discusses ‘Come See Me in the Good Light’.

41 min

Emma Thompson, Judd Apatow, Thundercat featuring Remi Wolf

Emma Thompson discusses ‘Down Cemetery Road’. Judd Apatow discusses his new book, ‘Comedy Nerd’. Thundercat featuring Remi Wolf performs "Children of the Baked Potato".

41 min

Colin Farrell, Cameron Crowe

Squirlert! Stephen Colbert’s Chubby Rodent Chonk-stery. Late Show Presents: The Sound of Science. Colin Farrell discusses ‘Ballad of a Small Player’. Cameron Crowe discusses ‘The Uncool’.

41 min

Sarah Paulson, Sen. Ruben Gallego

Halloween 14: Ice Scream. Squirlert: Monkey ’Mergency. Ooh Ooh! Ah! Ah! Update! Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Sarah Paulson discusses ‘All’s Fair’. Senator Ruben Gallego discusses recent politics.

41 min

Anthony Hopkins

Sir Anthony Hopkins discusses his new book, ‘We Did OK, Kid’ (interview pre-taped at a house in Los Angeles).

41 min

Tom Hanks, Mavis Staples

Tom Hanks discusses ‘This World of Tomorrow’. Mavis Staples performs "Human Mind" from her new album, ‘Sad and Beautiful World’.

41 min

Michelle Obama, Robert Plant

First Lady Michelle Obama discusses her new book, ‘The Look’. Robert Plant discusses his new album, ‘Saving Grace’.

41 min

Tiffany Haddish, Gary Cole

Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Tiffany Haddish discusses ‘Tiffany Haddish Goes Off’. Gary Cole discusses the ‘NCIS’ and ‘NCIS: Origins’ crossover event.

41 min

Sydney Sweeney, Patti Smith, Guillermo del Toro

Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein’s Monster Energy Drink (special appearance by Guillermo del Toro). CSI: Criminal Sandwich Investigation. Sydney Sweeney discusses ‘Christy’. Patti Smith discusses her new book, ‘Bread of Angels’. Patti Smith performs "Peaceable Kingdom".

41 min

Demi Moore, Ken Burns

Late Show Presents: The Sound of Science. Demi Moore discusses ‘Landman’. Ken Burns discusses ‘The American Revolution’.

41 min

Claire Danes, Rep. James Clyburn

Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Claire Danes discusses ‘The Beast in Me’. Representative Jim Clyburn discusses his new book, ‘The First Eight’.

41 min

Jonathan Karl, Pete Townshend

Pete Townshend sits in with the band and provides musical accompaniment. A.I. Love Country. Cyborgasm. Jonathan Karl discusses his new book, ‘Retribution’. Pete Townshend discusses ‘Quadrophenia, A Rock Ballet’.

41 min

Julia Roberts, John Fogerty

Now That’s What I Declare Is Music. Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Meanwhile Presents: Guess Which State This Happened In? Never Mind It’s Florida. Julia Roberts takes "The Colbert Questionert" (new footage from October 1, 2025 episode). John Fogerty discusses his new album, ‘Legacy: The Creedence Clearwater Revival Years’. John Fogerty performs a medley of "Up Around the Bend", "Have You Ever Seen the Rain", "Fortunate Son", and "Proud Mary".

41 min

Ted Danson, Alison Roman

Stephen Colbert Sits on Your Babies (special appearance by Charli XCX and Anderson Cooper)! Ted Danson discusses ‘A Man on the Inside’. Alison Roman steps into the kitchen with Stephen and discusses her new book, ‘Something from Nothing’.

41 min

Benedict Cumberbatch, Patton Oswalt, Jesse Welles

The Late Show’s Refreshing Change of Subject. Benedict Cumberbatch discusses ‘The Thing with Feathers’. Patton Oswalt discusses his new stand-up special, ‘Black Coffee and Ice Water’. Jesse Welles performs "Join ICE" from his new single, ‘No Kings’.

41 min

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Billy Strings

TURKzempic. Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Senator Elizabeth Warren discusses recent politics. Billy Strings performs "Leaning on a Travelin’ Song" from his new album, ‘Highway Prayers’.

41 min

Lady Gaga, Mikie Sherrill, Kristin Chenoweth, Stephen Schwartz, Daniel Craig

RFK Jr.'s Magnetic Poetry. Big Questions with Even Bigger Stars (with Daniel Craig). Lady Gaga takes "The Colbert Questionert" (new footage from October 2, 2025 episode). Governor-elect Mike Sherrill discusses recent politics. The cast of ‘The Queen of Versailles’ (Kristin Chenoweth and Stephen Schwartz) perform "This is Not the Way".

41 min

Rachel Maddow, Drive-By Truckers, Jason Isbell

Election Night in America! Inside Entertainwood: Access Denied (special appearance by Robert De Niro). Rachel Maddow discusses recent politics and her new podcast, ‘Rachel Maddow Presents: Burn Order’. Drive-By Truckers perform "Hell No, I Ain’t Happy" from their album, ‘The Definitive Decoration Day’, featuring Jason Isbell.

41 min

Michael Shannon, Jessie Buckley, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex

Scarface 2: The Pardoning. Raccoon Noos. A special appearance by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. Michael Shannon discusses ‘Nuremberg’ and ‘Death by Lightning’. Jessie Buckley discusses ‘Hamnet’.

41 min

Jen Psaki, "Weird Al" Yankovic

The Late Show Presents: A Holiday Message from "Weird Al". Late Show Presents: Meanwhile (special appearance by Tenafly High School students). Jen Psaki discusses recent politics and ‘The Briefing with Jen Psaki’. "Weird Al" Yankovic discusses his tour, ‘Bigger & Weirder’.

41 min

Sigourney Weaver, Mandy Patinkin

Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Sigourney Weaver discusses ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’. Mandy Patinkin discusses ‘The Artist’. Tiler Peck performs "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" from George Balanchine's "The Nutcracker", with musical accompaniment by Andrew Litton.

41 min

Laura Dern, Andrew Ross Sorkin, Evie McGee Colbert

The John Deere Donald Trump Model Lawn Mower. First Drafts: Holiday Cards, with Stephen's wife, Evie. Laura Dern discusses ‘Palm Royale’ and ‘Is This Thing On?’. Andrew Ross Sorkin discusses his new book, ‘1929’.

41 min

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift discusses ‘The Life of a Showgirl, Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour: The End of an Era’, and ‘Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour: The Final Show’.

41 min

Kate Winslet; Ben Cohen; Jerry Greenfield

The Trump Platinum Card. Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Kate Winslet discusses ‘Goodbye June’. Ben & Jerry discuss Stephen Colbert's AmeriCone Dream.

41 min

Paul Rudd, Lesley Manville

Stephen acknowledges the 2025 Bondi Beach and Brown University shootings and the deaths of Rob and Michele Singer Reiner. Noo Raccoon Noos. Late Show Home Shopping: Canceled Clearance Sale! Bye Bye Buy (with Paul Rudd)! Paul Rudd discusses ‘Anaconda’. Lesley Manville discusses ‘Oedipus’.

41 min

Anderson Cooper, Andy Cohen, the Mountain Goats, Laura Benanti

The Hand Bag. A cameo appearance by Laura Benanti as Melania Trump. Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen discuss their upcoming coverage of CNN's ‘New Year's Eve Live’ show. The Mountain Goats perform "Cold at Night" from their new album, ‘Through This Fire Across from Peter Balkan’, featuring Tommy Stinson.

41 min

Kumail Nanjiani, St. Vincent

Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Kumail Nanjiani discusses his new stand-up special, ‘Night Thoughts’. Late Show Under the Covers (St. Vincent performs “Young Americans”).

41 min

Hugh Jackman, Nick Offerman

Stephen acknowledges the final broadcast of John Dickerson as co-anchor of the CBS Evening News. The Late Show Presents: ‘Colbert’s Cancelled Christmas: The Last Noel’ (narrated by Nick Offerman). Hugh Jackman discusses ‘Song Sung Blue’. Louis Cato and The Late Show Band perform "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas".

41 min

Ethan Hawke, Julia Ioffe

Grandparent Nickname Database. Endea Owens’ Flushable Towels. Louis Cato's ‘Speed’ Taco Truck. Ethan Hawke discusses ‘Blue Moon’. Julia Ioffe discusses recent politics and her new book, ‘Motherland’.

41 min

Jodie Foster, Tracy Letts

Pardon City. Late Show Presents: The Sound of Science. Jodie Foster discusses ‘A Private Life’. Tracy Letts discusses ‘Bug’.

41 min

Chris Hayes, Natalie Portman, Robyn

Stephen acknowledges the killing of Renee Good. Chris Hayes discusses recent politics and his new book, ‘The Sirens’ Call’. Natalie Portman takes "The Colbert Questionert" (new footage from May 21, 2025 episode). Robyn performs "Sexistential" from her new album of the same name.

41 min

Tom Hiddleston, Terry Gross

Gros. Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Tom Hiddleston discusses ‘The Night Manager’. Terry Gross discusses ‘Fresh Air’.

41 min

Jimmy Kimmel, Abigail Spanberger

Lego Trophy Set. Monkey 'Mergency. Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Jimmy Kimmel takes "The Colbert Questionert" (new footage from September 30, 2025 episode). Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger discusses recent politics.

41 min

Amanda Seyfried, Yo-Yo Ma

Community Calendar: Allentown, Pennsylvania with Amanda Seyfried. Amanda Seyfried discusses ‘The Testament of Ann Lee’. Yo-Yo Ma discusses his new podcast, Our Common Nature. Yo-Yo Ma performs a medley of the prelude from Bach's first Cello Suite and "Over the Rainbow".

41 min

Paul Giamatti, Ryan Coogler

Trump-Tosterone. Paul Giamatti discusses ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’. Ryan Coogler discusses ‘Sinners’.

41 min

Stellan Skarsgård, Scott Galloway, Warren Haynes

Warren Haynes sits in with the band and provides musical accompaniment. Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Stellan Skarsgård discusses ‘Sentimental Value’. Jon Meacham discusses his new book, ‘American Struggle’.

41 min

Sen. Bernie Sanders, Lucinda Williams

CSI: Ooh La La. Senator Bernie Sanders discusses recent politics. Lucinda Williams performs "The World's Gone Wrong" from her new album, ‘World’s Gone Wrong’, featuring Brittney Spencer.

41 min

Jane Fonda, Jessica Williams

Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Jane Fonda discusses the Committee for the First Amendment. Jessica Williams discusses ‘Shrinking’.

41 min

Chance the Rapper, Maria Stephan

Chance the Rapper discusses the 10th anniversary of ‘Coloring Book’ and his new album, ‘Star Line’. Maria J. Stephan discusses recent politics. Chance the Rapper performs "The Negro Problem"

41 min

Gov. Josh Shapiro, The War and Treaty

Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Governor Josh Shapiro discusses recent politics and his new book, ‘Where We Keep the Light’. The War and Treaty performs "I'm Still Standing", featuring Willie Blount.

41 min

Sam Rockwell, George Saunders

Sam Rockwell discusses his career and ‘Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die’. George Saunders discusses ‘Vigil’.

41 min

Bad Bunny, Katherine LaNasa

Claus & Order: Santa Victims Unit. Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Bad Bunny takes "The Colbert Questionert" (new footage from July 22, 2025 episode). Katherine LaNasa discusses ‘The Pitt’.

41 min

Alexander Skarsgård, Jacob Soboroff

A musical tribute to the 25th anniversary of ‘The Lord of the Rings’: "#1 Trilly" (special appearances by Dominic Monaghan, Billy Boyd, Sean Astin, Elijah Wood, Anna Kendrick, Method Man, Killer Mike, Orlando Bloom, Andy Serkis and Hugo Weaving; footage from December 15, 2021 episode). Alexander Skarsgård discusses ‘Pillion’. Jacob Soboroff discusses recent politics and his new book, ‘Firestorm’.

41 min

John Oliver

The Trump Epstein Files. Late Show Home Shopping: Canceled Clearance Sale! Bye Bye Buy (with John Oliver)! John Oliver discusses ‘Last Week Tonight’.

41 min

Mark Ruffalo, Father James Martin

Mark Ruffalo discusses ‘Crime 101’. Father James Martin discusses his new book, ‘Work in Progress’.

41 min

Ian McKellen, I'm With Her, Laura Benanti

A cameo appearance by Laura Benanti as Melania Trump. Ian McKellen discusses his career and ‘An Ark’. I'm with Her performs "The Obvious Child" from their new album, ‘Sing Me Alive’.

41 min

James Taylor, Evie McGee Colbert

First Drafts: Valentine's Day Cards, with Stephen's wife, Evie. James Taylor discusses his career as a singer-songwriter and performs "You Can Close Your Eyes", with his son Henry providing musical accompaniment.

41 min

Jennifer Garner

Stephen explains why you can only see his interview with Rep. James Talarico on the show's Youtube channel, interviews Jennifer Garner and replays a 2021 interview with the late Robert Duvall.

41 min

Kaitlan Collins, Walter Isaacson

Kaitlan Collins discusses ‘The Source’. Walter Isaacson discusses his new book, ‘The Greatest Sentence Ever Written’.

41 min

Sen. Jon Ossoff, Kyle MacLachlan, Thundercat

Thundercat sits in with the band and provides musical accompaniment. Basilica Snack Bar. Ooh Ooh! Ah! Ah! Update! Ooh Ooh! Awww. Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Senator Jon Ossoff discusses recent politics. Kyle MacLachlan discusses ‘Fallout’ and his new podcast, ‘What Are We Even Doing?’

41 min

Melissa McCarthy, Michael Pollan

41 min

Ray Romano, Emma Thompson, Cory Wong

41 min

John Dickerson, Mitski

41 min

Teyana Taylor, Bradley Whitford

41 min

Kurt & Wyatt Russell, CMAT

41 min

Daniel Radcliffe, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Brandee Younger

41 min

Jake Gyllenhaal, Maria Bamford

41 min

Steve Carell, Hozier, Lake Street Dive

41 min

Jimmy Fallon, Harvey Guillén

41 min

John Lithgow, Paul Rieckhoff

41 min

Michelle Pfeiffer, Dave Matthews

41 min

Clarissa Ward, Pete Holmes

41 min

Wanda Sykes, Robert Smigel, Dan & Peggy Reeder

41 min

Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Robert Lopez, Andrew Rannells, Josh Gad, the Broadway cast of "The Book Of Mormon"

41 min

Elijah Wood, David Alan Grier, Lea Michele, the Broadway cast and orchestra of "Chess"

41 min

Edward Norton, José Andrés

41 min

John Mulaney, David Byrne

41 min

Nathan Lane, Arsenio Hall

41 min

Meryl Streep, Maggie Rogers

41 min

Paul Simon, Ramy Youssef

41 min

Keanu Reeves, Jack White

41 min

Oprah Winfrey, Brandi Carlile

41 min

Bryan Cranston, Robert Plant

41 min

Maya Rudolph, Nick Offerman, Jeff Tweedy, Hayley Williams, Rachel Dratch

41 min

Billy Crystal, Ina Garten

41 min

Anne Hathaway, Josh Johnson

41 min

Anderson Cooper, Patton Oswalt

41 min