May 13, 2016 - Matt Bomer, Zach Woods, Nick Griffin

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Episode GuideEPISODE NUMBER: Season 1, Episode 142 (Friday, May 13, 2016)
GUESTS: Matt Bomer | Zach Woods | Nick Griffin
SPECIAL GUEST: Keith Olbermann
STAFF CAMEO(s): Brian Stack | Michael Brumm | Meredith Scardino | Jen Spyra | Paul Dinello | Carol Hartsell
SEGMENTS: Stephen Tries A New Look | A Chat With Donald Trump’s Publicist | Lady Emojis Tap Against the Glass Ceiling | Matt Bomer | Zach Woods | Friday Night Fights with Keith Olbermann | Nick Griffin | Stephen Gets His Birthday Ribs
SUIT REPORT: Dark Grey Suit | White Shirt | Black Patterned Tie

This special birthday episode starts off with Stephen’s phone flipping out of his pocket during the monologue, which leads to him taking a short video of the cheering audience. (That would be a cool share on social media, hint and hint.) Stephen then takes a call from Trump’s “publicist,” voiced by Now-Professional Trump Channel-er Brian Stack.

Stephen then transitions into a segment about the dearth of emojis for women, which gives him an excuse to talk about how one mustachioed emoji looks just like Stay Human saxophonist Eddie Barbash. (Adorable!) Ridiculously handsome, or as our fearless host puts it, “magical, elfin woodland creature” Matt Bomer is on next, bringing cupcakes and cheer to his interview. Stephen and Matt lock arms and eat the cupcakes rather seductively, if you don’t mind my saying so. He talks about his experiences growing up in Texas and trying to break out as an actor. Following Bomer’s steamy appearance, “transcendentally normal” (Stephen’s description) Zach Woods appears, talking up his role on Silicon Valley, which he based loosely on his mom. He also describes taking improv classes at UCB while still in high school, and how braces prevented him from pursuing his ambition of becoming a trumpet player. Zach plays “When the Saints Go Marching In” on the trumpet while Stephen accompanies him on his equally impressive mouth trumpet. You have to hand it to Stephen, his talent for mimicry is legend.

Finally, hilarious stand up Nick Griffin tackles the Late Show audience, winning them over with his zingers on the abject boringness of stable relationships.

The excitement continues when Michael Brumm punks Stephen onstage, complete in his Human Hybrid Corn costume, and leads the audience and select costumed Late Show staffers, Olbermann, Woods, and Griffin into a sweet and heartfelt birthday tribute. Stephen concludes the broadcast by handing out the rest of the cupcakes to the front row of the audience. Very, very sweet. Literally and figuratively.

As the credits roll, we also notice that Jim Hoskinson is no longer listed as director in the credits. Longtime associate director Yvonne De Mare has now been given the coveted role. Congrats Yvonne! I suspect we will hear her referred to as “Jimmy” for a while. Takes a while to change old habits. 😉

What did you guys think of the show! Let us know in the comments.

Stephen wants to try out some new looks with his makeup artist, such as this “Picasso,” but settles on something more manly (Van Gogh.)

Stephen celebrates the uncanny resemblance of a mustachioed emoji and Stay Human saxophonist Eddie Barbash.

Matt Bomer helps Stephen celebrate his birthday by bringing some yummy cupcakes.

Old Friend of the Show Keith Olbermann is on deck to debate A-Rod vs Tom Brady outfitted with some serious hardware.

  • Gina

    Aww. So sweet. Loved the surprise birthday celebration at the end with Michael Brumm. You could tell Stephen was really touched, that was lovely.

    Just a great episode all around. The emoji bit wasn’t as good as the “Colb moji” one was, but all together, a great birthday episode.

    I actually saw Nick Griffin at the Comedy Cellar when one of my friends took me their on a Stephen trip. It’s so hard to get a seat at the Comedy Cellar! You need to get a ticket notarized by the Pope, or at least make some effort to plan in advance, which for me is just as challenging. Nick really stood out, and his relationship comedy is tops. Glad to see he made it on the Late Show.

  • I loved the surprise birthday ribs and everyone in costumes on stage to celebrate Stephen. Stay Human really jazzed up the birthday song! What a great end to a fantastic week of shows. Happy Birthday, Stephen! Hope you ate a lot of ribs!

  • Happy Smile

    Nick Griffin is one of the best comedians I have seen do that late night standup bit. I have heard or told versions of similar jokes but found myself laughing out loud because he does it so well so well timed it did just what humor should do. I could identify and the way he said it was so clever. I hope to see him do well he is really a lot of fun.

    • Gina

      Thanks & welcome to the blog, Happy Smile!

  • K.V. Lady

    Matt Bomer and Stephen feeding each other cupcakes was hilarious, as was Stephen telling Matt to wipe the frosting from his face! Happy Birthday Stephen!

  • Lynn

    Hello hubsters, I’ve been lurking for a while but decided to jump in. I’m in the northeast and we didn’t get any of the birthday celebration on our broadcast. I thought it was a strange place to stop the show, with no final words from Stephen… Not sure why there would have been a difference in the broadcast of the show. I thought Nick Griffin was an excellent comedian and I loved his style.
    In other news, checking out the show live next week, SO excited!

  • Vansen

    That was a fun episode. The interview with Matt Bomer was very sweet, and yes, the birthday wishes were a lovely way to cap off a really strong week of shows.