March 11, 2016 - Jeff Daniels, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Audra McDonald

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Episode GuideEPISODE NUMBER: Season 1, Episode 109 (Friday, March 11, 2016)
GUESTS: Jeff Daniels | Mary Elizabeth Winstead | Audra McDonald
SPECIAL GUEST(s): Paul F. Tompkins | Bill Murray
SEGMENTS: Monologue - A Penguin Made Stephen Feel Things & Then Bill Murray Happened | Friday Night Fights with Paul F. Tompkins | Jeff Daniels | Chelsea, Michigan’s Community Calendar (with Jeff Daniels) | Audra McDonald | Mark Elizabeth Winstead | Stephen Helps Out with a Promposal
SUIT REPORT: Dark Grey Suit | White Shirt | Pale Blue Tie

What a week in Late Show Land! Here is the final guide:

The show started off with a sweet story about the friendship between a 70-year old man and a penguin that comes to visit him every year. Stephen was certainly not the only one feelings things- I was basically clutching my handkerchief by the end of the segment.

  • It’s like a Nicholas Sparks novel had sex with a Pixar movie, and its baby was an Adele song.

Honestly, that’s about as accurate as any description will ever get. Question now is: where can I get myself a penguin?

But the monologue was far from over after that touching tale. Stephen noticed a special, rather sleepy guest in the audience who turned out to be no other than Mr. Bill Murray. How exactly Bill ended up in the Ed Sullivan Theater we may never know, but then again, it’s Bill Murray. Weirder things have happened to him.

Of course it wouldn’t be a Friday episode without another contentious edition of Friday Night Fights. This week’s guest was the always great Paul F. Tompkins who bet on the electric power of the Animatronic Chuck E. Cheese Band vs. the weak metal swords of the Knights of Medieval Times. We’ll find out soon if America is with him on that. Don’t forget to go on twitter and vote!

  • Make your voice heard. Anyone can win…except Marco Rubio. He can’t seem to win anything.

Stephen’s first guest was the entertaining Jeff Daniels who joined Stephen to discuss his intense new gig on Broadway, Blackbird, and his role in the blockbuster Allegiant. Jeff Daniels has always struck me as a very down-to-earth and humble fellow, and this interview definitely confirmed that assumption. Oh, and he also took notes from Helen Mirren and Sally Field and went in for the kiss. Good for you, Jeff, good for you.

Colbert: Do you have a dystopian view of the future? Are you hopeful about the future?
Daniels: Well, it depends who ends up becoming president.

After the break, Jeff and Stephen found themselves in Chelsea, Michigan’s Community Calendar, one of those delightfully silly segments that I would like to see more often. Jeff was a great sport, and played his role to perfection. Maple Bacon Martinis, anyone?

Next up was six-time Tony winner Audra McDonald who explained to Stephen how she got the voice of Billie Holiday just right (thanks, grandma!) and discussed diversity issues on Broadway vs. Hollywood.

McDonald: I hope that there’s a dialogue that happens now and hopefully we can get more people of color, of all different colors, in the room, to quote Hamilton, where it happens.

And finally, Stephen was joined by actress Mary Elizabeth Winstead from the highly-anticipated film 10 Cloverfield Lane. Mary shared some “prepper” stories about her family and talked about being a modern scream queen.

Winstead: I’ve always been kinda drawn to the weird, to the unsettling since I was very little. I think part of it is growing up in Utah and having things be so clean and nice and normal.

And that’s it for another week of Late Shows! Leave us a comment below and let us know your thoughts!

  • chris

    so was Jeff a good kisser?…. he is an amazing man so i can understand why he would kiss an amazing man like you Stephen. i think my wife would get a kick getting a kiss from either of you. as long as you remember she is mine i am cool with it.

  • Gina

    Paul F. Tompkins was great for FNF! This whole episode had so much packed into it, I appreciate the considerable effort. We had several fangirl friends in attendance and it was by all accounts quite an experience 😉 We love you Stephen.

    I think the Chelsea Community Calendar was my favorite, I love how open and freewheeling Jeff Daniels is in his delivery. And Bill Murray! Great cameo. Hope he actually comes on the show. He was an epic Letterman guest, so that would be good show heritage.

    I do take umbrage with the subtle dissing of Medieval Times actors. Some of them are quite inspirational. Here was our section’s knight and me after a show:

    • What a great pic, Gina! I’ve been to the Medieval Times in NJ and talked with some of the actors after the show. Good times!

  • I was so excited that Bill Murray made a brief and funny cameo. I hope he returns soon! I really like Paul F. Tompkins and I had to take his side on Friday Night Fights, simply for the fact that The Chuck E. Cheese band totally freaks me out! I have no idea of what those godless robot animals are capable of! Audra McDonald’s interview was fantastic. Stephen clearly admires the heck out of her and so do I.

    This was a great week of shows with A LOT of kissing! Even Jeff Daniels couldn’t resist!

    • Gina

      Stephen looked so grossed out after Jeff kissed him! It was so funny.

      • K.V. Lady

        Yes, he did!