January 20, 2016 - James Spader, Brandon Marshall, Sarah Koenig, Rev Run

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Episode GuideEPISODE NUMBER: Season 1, Episode 75 (Wednesday, January 20, 2016)
GUESTS: James Spader | Brandon Marshall | Sarah Koenig | Rev Run
SEGMENTS: Monologue | Stephen Tells Christian Bale How to Put on Weight | The Original Material Girl Is Back | James Spader | Brandon Marshall | Sarah Koenig | Rev Run Gives Stephen A Kebab Lesson
SUIT REPORT: Blue Suit | White Shirt | Black Tie

Hello Hubsters and welcome to Wednesday’s Episode Guide! This was a strong episode, particularly due to Stephen’s hilarious Sarah Palin segment. The segment has racked up over 2.2 million views and counting on YouTube. It is a total hit! Stephen also had interesting interviews and donned The Late Show apron for a great cooking segment. So, let’s hop right in to some highlights!

During his monologue, Stephen talked about Christian Bale, who turned down a role to play Enzo Ferrari, because Bale did not think he could gain weight healthily. Since Bale is British, Stephen gave him some solid tips on how to gain weight American style! Take notes here, Hubsters! To pack on the pounds only eat cereal that has a cartoon character on the box and then go to the airport and pig out on the multitude of chain restaurants.

The highlight of the evening came with a segment called “The Original Material Girl Is Back.” No, we’re not talking about Madonna. We’re talking about the “hope-y change-y”, “lipstick on a pit bull”, “drill baby drill” infamous Sarah Palin. The comedy gods bestowed upon Stephen a wonderful gift: Sarah Palin endorsing Donald Trump. After some hilarious highlights of Palin’s speech, with The Donald standing behind her, Stephen lit his lighter! Woo-hoo! Then in typical Palin fashion, she went on to string together words that were utter nonsense. Stephen bolted up from his his desk and shook a tambourine. Stephen wished that Palin could endorse every candidate and went on to imagine would that would be like. But not before tasering himself!

“First, let me just tase the part of my brain that understands sentence structure.”

Stephen’s first guest of the evening the evening was James Spader. When Spader made his grand entrance he went over and gave Jon Batiste a quick hug/pat on the back. The only other guest that has done that thus far was Oprah. Stephen was excited to have Spader on the show, because he has been called “the strangest man on television”, a moniker that Spader likes. They talked about Spader’s eccentricities, which he embraces.

Spader: I’m definitely one of those people on the street when there’s something strange and maybe even disturbing going on in the street, I tend to be drawn to it.
Colbert: So, Jon, it’s not that much of a compliment that he came over to you.

Guest number two was Brandon Marshall, a wide receiver for the New York Jets. He is a funny and charismatic man. They talked football and Marshall’s Project 375. Marshall was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. He explained what the disorder is, how difficult it is for people suffering from the disorder, and the stigma that surrounds it. To bring awareness to borderline personality disorder, Marshall created Project 375. Their signature color is green. Marshall gave Stephen some Project 375 swag: a t-shirt, green socks, sneakers, and even green nail polish! Of course, Stephen couldn’t help himself and proceeded to paint Marshall’s nails! This blogger commends Marshall for openly discussing mental illness and doing something to stop the stigma. For more information on Project 375, you can check it out here.

Sarah Koenig was the third guest who came on the promote her podcast “Serial.” This season of “Serial” is about Bo Bergdahl. It is quite a controversial subject, which made for a very interesting interview. Koenig hasn’t spoken to Bergdahl directly, but she actually has spoken to the Taliban through her connections. Evidently, the Taliban have listened to the podcast and they like it.

“That’s a great blurb. The Taliban likes it!”

As a wonderful end to the show, Stephen did a cooking demonstration with Rev Run. Stephen wore his Late Night apron. (When will this apron be available for purchase? The fandom waits with bated breath!) Before they started cooking, Stephen congratulated Rev Run. Run-DMC will be the first rappers to be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s Grammys. Run appointed Stephen the sous chef as they made beef steak kebabs. Run has six kids and discussed the importance of sitting down together for a family meal, which means absolutely no cell phones. Just conversation, love, and good food. Stephen’s love of cooking shined through and those kebabs looked delicious.

That wraps it up! What interview did you enjoy the most? How hard did you laugh over the Sarah Palin segment? Join in the conversation and share your thoughts with us in the comment section!

  • Gina

    “First, let me just taze the part of my brain that understands sentence structure.” I love when Stephen demonstrates really screwed up speaking techniques, like when he skewered Kevin McCarthy’s attempts at discussing foreign policy: “Hungria.” Remember that? The Sarah Palin segment was the strongest part of the show, although it meant that Sarah Palin is back on the scene, with that blouse full of daggers she was wearing. Even Donald Trump looked mildly embarrassed to be standing next to her, I don’t know how people can listen to that drivel.

    I also liked the interview with James Spader, he is a cool actor and he shouted out Jon Batiste, which was nice. Their discussion about fear was interesting. I think when the whole “terror alert” thing started in the early 2000s, we as Americans lost a bit of our moxie and the confidence that often defines us. Everyone was suspicious. Even now, it’s tough, especially for middle eastern people. It takes 3 hours for me to pick up my husband’s Iranian family from the airport. “I’m sorry, Gina-jan, they had questions,” is what they say.

    • Rita

      “First, let me just taze the part of my brain that understands sentence structure” made me laugh so loud that everyone at work knew I was not working! Anyway, my colleges got curious so I sent them the Youtube link. Loved that segment! Classic! The interview with Spader was very interesting, but all the interviews had something I loved in them. But I wish they were longer. Sometimes it takes a while before the conversation takes off and just as it gets interesting the interview is over… I agree that they should have fewer guests.

      • Gina

        Rita, you are quickly becoming one of my favorite people :)

        • Rita

          Wooohoooooo!

    • K.V. Lady

      “Blouse full of daggers” Or, as Trevor Noah referred to it, a “disco porcupine.” Don’t know id you still watch The Daily Show, but if you haven’t since Jon Stewart left, you are missing out! I never expected to like Noah as much as I do now, but he has totally won me over!

  • K.V. Lady

    The Sarah Palin bit was by far the best thing Stephen has done on the Late Show! I felt like the old Colbert was back; and I mean that in a good way.

  • Katt

    Isn’t James Spader a delightful oddball. I hope we get to see him on the show again!