January 22, 2016 - Steven Tyler, Gaby Hoffman, Låpsley

Posted on by

Episode GuideEPISODE NUMBER: Season 1, Episode 77 (Friday, January 22, 2016)
GUESTS: Steven Tyler | Gaby Hoffman | Låpsley
SPECIAL GUEST(S): Neil deGrasse Tyson
SEGMENTS: Monologue | Stephen’s “Winter Storm Jonas” Tips | Friday Night Fights with Neil DeGrasse Tyson | Steven Tyler | Steven Tyler Has Gift for Stephen | Gaby Hoffman | Låpsley - “Falling Short”
SUIT REPORT: Blue/Grey Suit | White Shirt | Burgundy Tie

Steven with a V meets Stephen with a PH and they bond over mic-slaying techniques.

Stephen starts off the episode with lots of advice for New York, a city bracing itself for Winter Storm Jonas. We get to see Paul Dinello again, who reviews last week’s “Friday Night Fights” results. Paul wins two of the fight topics, but the voters overwhelmingly felt that Stephen loves Paul more. Win! Then, new guest Fighter Neil DeGrasse Tyson comes out to great fanfare, fog machine and all, to debate Tony the Tiger vs. Mr. Peanut, and “which is more escapable? Supermassive black hole or obligation to be with family at holidays?” The latter leads to a pretty even debate, and Stephen severely guilt-tripping Dr. Tyson:

Dr. Tyson may be right about black holes spaghettifying all human existence, but Stephen makes the case that family guilt is worse.

Make sure you vote! It’s fun! Go to Stephen’s twitter feed pronto.

Steven Tyler then appears, to talk up his charity Janie’s Fund, which aims to support girls affected by sexual abuse. The Stephvens discuss Tyler’s 40-year career, and his music idols. Steven presents Stephen with a copy of his iconic scarf-draped mic stand and shows him how to sing into it like it’s his “girlfriend.” Stephen perfectly mimics his moves, which impresses Tyler - so I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

After all the jokes that Stephen let rip on ‘ol Steven Tyler over the years, it was nice to see them just talk and hang out, and really seem to like one another. It makes me realize that the subjects Stephen has made the most fun of over time are ones that he genuinely respects (in this case) or at least is fascinated with the most (for example, Monday he has Donald Rumsfeld on?! Should be interesting.)

Gabby Hoffman finishes up the guest interview part of the program, describing her experiences coming up as a child actor, and now, her participation in the hit Amazon TV-series Transparent. She also is a huge Bernie Sanders supporter, so everyone feels the Bern, or at least her Burn for the Bern. Stephen also asks her about doula-ing, which I never thought I would ever hear him ask about. Kudos to him for being educated about birth topics! He also indicates that he felt physically fine after the births of his now almost fully grown-up children, who are big enough “beat him up.” They seem too sweet for that, Mr. C!

Lapsley makes her debut on network TV - not unusual on Colbert’s Late Show, which has been a playground for new artists from the get-go - performing her EDM-style song “Falling Short.” This style of music is really popular abroad and is infiltrating the U.S., it reminds me of Disclosure. Nice to see something hip on the program.

What did you guys think of the episode? Let us know in the comments!

  • DeeCee

    I might be in the minority, but while I love seeing Paul Dinello and Neil DeGrasse Tyson just don’t care for the Friday Night Fights. More stupid than funny to me. (Especially compared to Fallon’s Friday Thank You Notes). You all know I”m a big Colbert fan, but this bit just isn’t a winner in my book.

    To everyone in the northeast, enjoy the snow and be safe.

    • Gina

      I like the fact that the Friday Night Fights (FNF!) has that personal dimension to it, like who loves each other more, family holiday obligation, etc….that makes it more enjoyable.

  • Katt

    I’ve never heard Lapsley’s music before, but I really enjoyed that song. And always good to see Neil back on the show!

  • http://www.colbertnewshub.com/ Katie (aka Clem)

    Great guide, Gina! I love Friday Night Fights. I think it’s a good way for Stephen to interact with the home audience by having people vote for the winners on Twitter. I loved seeing Paul again and it was awesome that Neil deGrasse Tyson was back! It’s great that Stephen does FNF with people he is friends with. Like Gina said, it adds a personal dimension to it. I wonder if they will have surprise guests for every FNF. I’d love to see Amy Sedaris do it!

    Steve Tyler was awesome. Janie’s Fund is such a great cause. The microphone bit was great. Stephen rocked that one!

    • Roseha

      “I wonder if they will have surprise guests for every FNF. I’d love to see Amy Sedaris do it!”
      I had that exact same thought! I happened to stumble upon Amy’s Instagram page, and it was full of interesting photos of Tokyo, so she may be out of the country at the moment, but I’d just love to see her make a surprise appearance (or an appearance in general) on Late Night, and Friday Night Fights seems like a great opportunity. They could go to town on the improvising (not that Neil did a bad job at all in that department - he is multi-talented!). I actually like the bit, the part about the black hole versus family guilt was my favorite. And I’m definitely in favor of audience involvement.
      For those of us on the East Coast the Snowstorm segment was most timely, and hardly exaggerated at all as it turned out! I’m glad the storm didn’t hit a day earlier, or we would have been watching a rerun last night - all the Broadway shows shut down in NYC today.
      I definitely enjoyed the music from Lapsley, and also the little moment after one of the band’s numbers when Stephen shouted out to the band members, including Grace, by their fist names..

      • Katt

        I’d love to see Amy Sedaris do it! I had that exact same thought! I happened to stumble upon Amy’s Instagram page, and it was full of interesting photos of Tokyo, so she may be out of the country at the moment.

        I went to ‘An Evening with David Sedaris’ last Tuesday, and he said he was just back from two weeks in Tokyo with Amy. So I’m fairly sure she is back state side now.