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The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Season 11 • Episode 85 • John Lithgow, Paul Rieckhoff
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The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 11, Episode 85: John Lithgow, Paul Rieckhoff
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Episodes
102 episodes
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
Julia Roberts, Sam Smith
Late Show Presents: Meanwhile. Julia Roberts discusses ‘After the Hunt’. Sam Smith performs "To Be Free".
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