The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert

That's it for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, everybody! When you're done listening to the final Pod Show, make sure you feast your eyes on the series finale on a TV screen (with good speakers - trust us!)

The new Trump Mobile phone has arrived, rotisserie chickens now fly for free, and Stephen presents World Central Kitchen’s Chef José Andrés with a check for $2,497,404.15 representing generous donations from fans of The Late Show. With the end of The Late Show quickly approaching, it's finally time to get to know our Emmy-winning late night star on a deeper level with help from special guest questioners John Dickerson, Billy Crystal, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Josh Brolin , Martha Stewart, Mark Hamill, Jim Gaffigan, Jeff Daniels, Tiffany Haddish, Evie McGee Colbert, Amy Sedaris, Ben Stiller, Aubrey Plaza, James Taylor, and Robert De Niro.

Donald Trump created a government slush fund for payouts to people like convicted January 6 rioters, the president decided not to resume attacking Iran, and construction is underway at the new White House ballroom. Comedy legend Jon Stewart tells Stephen there’s a great life on the other side of a cancelled TV show, and that one day Americans will cheer as Donald Trump’s time in office comes to a close.  Oscar-winner Steven Spielberg shares a clip from his latest film, where contact with alien life causes unexpected powers to emerge in the film’s main characters.

Stephen Colbert presents a special episode dedicated to all the pieces he cut over the years, including a trip to Chicago and some truly outlandish bits by Late Show writers that never made it to air - UNTIL NOW! Be sure to check out the full extended version with 'Graphics Graveyard' on YouTube after you hear the podcast!

If you've already heard this final lightning round of 'Late Show Vocab,' then please do enjoy these jokes a second time. We find that comedy gets so much fresher when you know what's coming! Stephen and Becca spent their last podcast-booth moments together talking about the whole Late Show staff & crew and what has made working with everyone so magical over the years. It's all leading up to an instant staff favorite: Rescue Staff Rescue! Stephen reveals some of the insane, humiliating and wonderful things his employees have done in service of late night television.

This podcast originally aired April 30th, 2026.

In another look back at our favorite 'Late Show Vocab' segments, Stephen and Becca are joined by Becca's Aunt Carol via speakerphone to track down the original owner of a piece of Colbert History. Then we revisit the field piece from 2021 when a Late Show producer sent his mom to a sex party to prove to Stephen that they exist.
This podcast was originally released on October 9th, 2025.

With less than a week left until The Late Show goes off the air, we're remembering all of our favorite 'Late Show Vocab' moments from the 'Stephen Presents' series to celebrate the unique office culture that Colbert's staff & crew have built together! Enjoy this extra long, extra exclusive Pod Show introduction where Stephen Colbert and his producer Becca talk about carousels, The Knack, reading from a prompter, what it's like being interviewed by Terry Gross, and more behind-the-scenes thoughts and feelings that you won't hear Stephen talk about anywhere else! Then enjoy this beautiful, extended interview with radio icon Terry Gross, featuring stories from early in her life and career that we didn't have time to air on TV.
This podcast introduction was recorded and released in February 2026. Terry Gross's interview originally aired January 8th, 2026.

The Chinese and American presidents shared an uncomfortably long handshake, Trump told his one billionth lie, Fox News star Bret Baier reported on the future of fast food, and the Iran war is causing major problems in the world of potato chips. “I have every right to be pissed off,” says legendary “Late Show” host David Letterman upon his return to the Ed Sullivan Theater. Make sure you check out the Late Show's YouTube page for the rest of David Letterman's iconic visit to The Ed Sullivan Theater... roof!

President Trump brought men like Elon Musk and Brett Ratner along on his trip to China, the Pentagon wants to restart the clock on the costly Iran war by changing the name, and the president’s poll numbers have never been lower as many Americans feel the country is spiraling out of control. Then President Barack Obama takes The Colbert Questionert! And Tom Hanks joins Stephen Colbert for a wide-ranging chat about dairy alternatives, SCUBA diving during the making of "Splash," and his father's experiences in World War II. Watch "World War II with Tom Hanks" starting May 25th on The History Channel.

President Trump’s trip to China kicked off as Americans are suffering from high prices at home, the president went on an epic late night social media blitz, and RFK Jr. says the public need not worry about the Hantavirus outbreak. Stephen Colbert’s extended interview with Julia Louis-Dreyfus has it all: a casual kiss between two friends, useful advice for a guy who is prepping for his series finale, and a personalized late night tribute cooked up by the writers of “Veep.” Enjoy the moments that didn’t make it to air, then catch Julia Louis-Dreyfus in the new film, “The Sheep Detectives,” in theaters now. And acclaimed actor Pedro Pascal gets chummy with Stephen Colbert and offers hints about what to expect from his character in the new film, “The Mandalorian & Grogu,” where he stars opposite one of his childhood idols, Sigourney Weaver.