Podcast Summary: The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert – Episode featuring Adrien Brody | "Drone Stop Believing"

Release Date: December 19, 2024

1. Introduction

In this episode of The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert, host Stephen Colbert delivers his signature blend of humor and commentary on current events before welcoming his special guest, acclaimed actor Adrien Brody. The episode seamlessly transitions from topical jokes to an in-depth conversation about Brody's latest film, "The Brutalist," intertwining personal anecdotes and insightful discussions about heritage and artistry.

2. Stephen Colbert’s Monologue

a. eBay and Collectibles

Colbert opens with a humorous take on eBay, highlighting the quirks of online shopping and the rare collectibles enthusiasts seek:

• “Whatever you love, find it on eBay. eBay. Things people love.” [00:25]

b. Stock Market Turmoil

He shifts to the alarming state of the stock market, referencing a significant drop in the Dow:

• “Anybody have money in the stock market? Not anymore. Because today the Dow plunged more than 1100 points.” [01:05]

Colbert humorously contrasts traditional investments with unconventional ones, mentioning his investment in a fictitious cryptocurrency:

• “I've taken all my money and placed it safely in meme coin... Fartcoin, which surged to a nearly $1 billion market cap.” [01:36]

c. Drones Over New Jersey

Addressing recent mysterious drone sightings over New Jersey, Colbert engages in satirical speculation about their origins:

• “It's that special time of year when we deck the halls... and look to the skies in hope of catching a New Jersey drone.” [02:18]

He references political reactions, particularly critiques from Representative Nancy Mace:

• “Representative Mace loves to fear monger about anything and everything... the drones could be from outer space.” [03:35]

d. NASA’s Delayed Astronauts

Colbert touches on NASA's challenges with delayed astronaut missions, injecting humor into the discussion:

• “The astronauts, who were originally supposed to be up there for eight days, are still stuck. Their return has been delayed until at least late March.” [05:04]

e. Trump’s Lawsuit Against Pollster

He highlights former President Trump's lawsuit against a pollster, mocking the motivations behind the legal action:

• “Trump is suing Iowa pollster Ann Seltzer and the Des Moines Register newspaper for that poll, claiming they were seeking accountability for brazen election interference.” [06:51]

f. Justin Timberlake’s Wardrobe Malfunction

Colbert humorously reports on Justin Timberlake's recent on-stage mishap:

• “Justin Timberlake suffered a mortifying wardrobe malfunction... Because Justin's bulge is not the size it should be.” [09:11]

g. Pornhub’s Florida Ban

He discusses Florida’s new legislation affecting adult websites, delivering the news with his characteristic wit:

• “Pornhub will block access for Floridians on January 1st... You'll be required to prove you are 18 years or older.” [10:14]

h. Party City’s Bankruptcy

Closing his monologue, Colbert laments Party City's financial struggles, offering a mock sympathetic response:

• “Party City is planning to file for its second bankruptcy in nearly two years... This is a tragedy.” [11:30]

3. Guest Interview: Adrien Brody

a. Introduction to Adrien Brody

Stephen Colbert introduces Adrien Brody, highlighting his illustrious career and his latest project, "The Brutalist":

• “Ladies and gentlemen, my first guest this evening is an academic award-winning actor... Please welcome back to the Late Show, Adrien Brody.” [14:10]

b. Discussion on "The Brutalist"

i. Film Overview and Personal Connection

Brody delves into his role in "The Brutalist," portraying Laszlo Toth, an architect escaping war-torn Hungary:

• “The Brutalist is about an architect named Laszlo Toth, who's a Hungarian who comes to the United States escaping... the struggles and sacrifices along the way of that immigrant experience is very personal to me.” [14:51]

He shares a heartfelt connection to his Hungarian heritage, explaining how his family's history influenced his portrayal:

• “My mother is a wonderful photographer, very well respected photographer. She and my grandparents fled Hungary in 1956 during the revolution.” [15:24]

ii. Exploring Hungarian Sensibility

Colbert probes into the nuances of Hungarian culture as embodied by Brody:

• “How would you describe the Hungarian sensibility?” [16:51]

Brody responds by likening it to New Yorker's enthusiasm and passion, emphasizing the blend of humor and truth:

• “They're wonderfully enthusiastic and passionate and somewhat outspoken... They don't really hide that. Then they say it was a joke, and there's a lot of truth in that.” [16:58]

iii. Behind-the-Scenes Anecdotes

The conversation shifts to a clip from "The Brutalist," featuring Adrien Brody and Guy Pearce. Brody recounts a scene where his character is involved in architectural restoration, leading to humorous interactions on set:

• “So this is a moment where Lazlo Toth, my character, comes to America... and Lazlo is amazed that they still exist because his understanding was that most would have been demolished during the Nazi occupation.” [17:41]

Colbert playfully reacts to the scene, highlighting the visual aesthetics of the film:

• “They're very artistic. It's so beautiful.” [18:56]

iv. Adrien’s Design Aesthetics and Personal Interests

Brody shares his eclectic taste in design and restoration, drawing parallels to his experiences working with director Wes Anderson:

• “I have a pretty eclectic taste. I do like to integrate things that have moved me or that I've found along the way in my travels.” [22:31]

He amusingly narrates an incident involving an antique slot machine he attempted to purchase:

• “And I'm driving home, this eerie kind of mystical music starts emanating from this unplugged slot machine... I get it home... and she forgot her cell phone in it.” [23:45]

c. Reflections on Acting and Family Heritage

Colbert inquires about Adrien's journey into acting and its ties to his family's artistic background:

• “Why acting? You know, the old joke about, like, writing about music is like dancing about architecture. You're a painter. Paint me. About acting.” [19:19]

Brody reflects on his gratitude for acting and its role in shaping his life, attributing inspiration to his mother and grandfather:

• “I am so grateful to have found acting and for acting to have found me. And I do owe that to my mother as well.” [20:11]

He recounts his grandfather's unfulfilled acting aspirations, drawing a parallel to his own experiences:

• “My poor grandfather got fired, so there went his acting dreams... I tend to bite my... Maybe it's the Hungarian in me.” [21:54]

4. Conclusion

Stephen Colbert wraps up the interview by expressing his appreciation for Adrien Brody’s insights and storytelling, encouraging listeners to explore more content related to the episode:

• “Lovely to see you again. Thank you so much for being here. Thank you for listening to the Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert.” [25:23]

He directs listeners to additional resources, including the Late Show YouTube channel, for more exclusive content.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Stephen Colbert [00:25]: “Whatever you love, find it on eBay. eBay. Things people love.”

• Stephen Colbert [01:05]: “Anybody have money in the stock market? Not anymore. Because today the Dow plunged more than 1100 points.”

• Adrien Brody [15:24]: “The struggles and sacrifices along the way of that immigrant experience is very personal to me.”

• Adrien Brody [16:58]: “They're wonderfully enthusiastic and passionate and somewhat outspoken... They don't really hide that. Then they say it was a joke, and there's a lot of truth in that.”

• Adrien Brody [22:31]: “I have a pretty eclectic taste. I do like to integrate things that have moved me or that I've found along the way in my travels.”

Key Takeaways

• Current Events with Humor: Stephen Colbert delivers a timely monologue that touches on economic downturns, technological mysteries, and pop culture mishaps, all laced with his characteristic humor.

• Deep Dive into Heritage and Artistry: The interview with Adrien Brody offers listeners an intimate look into his latest film, "The Brutalist," while exploring his personal connection to Hungarian heritage and the influence it has on his acting and creative endeavors.

• Engaging Anecdotes: Both Colbert and Brody share humorous and heartfelt stories, from haunted slot machines to familial inspirations, providing a well-rounded and engaging conversation.

• Cultural Commentary: The episode balances light-hearted jokes with thoughtful commentary on topics like immigration, identity, and the arts, making it both entertaining and insightful for listeners.

This episode of The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert delivers a compelling mix of topical humor and meaningful dialogue, particularly through the enriching conversation with Adrien Brody. Whether you're a fan of Colbert's wit or Brody's acting prowess, this episode offers valuable insights and plenty of laughs.