Podcast Summary: The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert | Alexander Skarsgård | Italian ICE

Date: January 30, 2026
Host: Stephen Colbert
Guest: Alexander Skarsgård

Overview

This episode of The Late Show Pod Show features actor Alexander Skarsgård, known for his Emmy and Golden Globe-winning roles, joining Stephen Colbert to discuss his new film Pillion, swap family stories, and dive into a quirky conversation about pickles, first crushes, and red carpet adventures. Meanwhile, Colbert’s signature monologue zigzags from American politics to international incidents involving ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) with biting satire and cultural references.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Monologue & Political Satire (03:37-14:05)

• America’s “Rough Watch” and Light Moments
  Colbert opens by acknowledging the tense atmosphere in the U.S., then quickly pivots to lighter news—namely, Oprah’s birthday—before revisiting political headlines.

  "I know. I'm well aware that right now America is a rough watch. Before I turn on the news, I usually grab a bite stick and strap on a cup." – Stephen Colbert (03:40)

• Trump, ICE, and Springsteen’s Protest Song
  Colbert riffs on the falling popularity of Trump, focusing on ICE’s (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) contentious reputation. He highlights Bruce Springsteen’s new protest song, "Streets of Minneapolis" and its impact.

  "You really don't want Bruce Springsteen to write a song about your streets." – Stephen Colbert (05:17)

  Alexander chimes in on the song’s lyrics:

  "Bloody mist they killed and roamed in..." – Alexander Skarsgård (05:31)

• ICE at the Winter Olympics: “Gelato”
  News that U.S. ICE agents will be sent to the Milan Winter Olympics sparks a comedic wander into Italian vocabulary and skepticism about the necessity.

  "The only ice I want to see at the Olympics is ice dancing. ...American ICE won't be doing enforcement in Milan. That's a job for Milan ICE. Or as they say in Italian: gelato." – Stephen Colbert (06:52)

• Trump’s Fundraising Tactics and Melania’s New Documentary
  Colbert mocks a strange Trump campaign email and lampoons the high-budget documentary about Melania Trump. He notes the absurdity of the situations with playful exaggeration.

  "That's not a fundraising email. That's blackmail. And also the most unhinged combination of desperate emotions and font styles..." – Stephen Colbert (11:15)
  "(Melania's) signature achievement is hat." – Stephen Colbert (12:29)

2. Alexander Skarsgård Interview

a. The Pickle Saga (16:08–18:37)

• Family Requests and Pickle Mishaps
  Stephen brings up a recurring family anecdote about Skarsgård’s father requesting pickles from New York. Alexander recounts trying to bring them to Sweden, only to have pickle juice explode in his suitcase mid-flight.

  "My suitcase was filled with drenched...So I still kind of smell of pickle juice. Like my underwear is..." – Alexander Skarsgård (18:05)

• Stephen’s Gag Gifts
  To resolve the situation, Colbert gifts fresh pickles and personalized underwear to Skarsgård:

  "We also got you replacement underwear." – Stephen Colbert (18:27)

b. Red Carpet Runs with Dad (19:29–20:22)

• Festival Life and Parental Support
  Alexander discusses supporting his father, actor Stellan Skarsgård, at film festivals and how the shared experiences bring them closer.

  "It's great because I don't have to deliver stuff like Pickles to him. He's right next to me." – Alexander Skarsgård (20:17)

• Review Swaps
  Alexander shares how they attend each other's screenings and offer feedback. Stellan loved Pillion.

c. Pillion: The Film (20:36–21:49)

• Plot Overview
  Pillion is described as a “Richard Curtis-esque romantic comedy” (think Love, Actually) with a twist: BDSM themes and motorcycle culture.

  "It's kind of a Richard Curtis esque romantic comedy...but with a little bit of BDSM." – Alexander Skarsgård (20:52)

• **Character Dynamics

  • Alexander plays Ray, a dominant member of a motorcycle gang who starts a relationship with Colin (Harry Melling), his “pillion” (the passenger on a motorcycle).
  • The relationship explores coming of age and the dynamics of love on someone else’s terms.

  "It's a coming of age story. ... It's his first relationship. So he's kind of figuring out what he wants out of a relationship and if this is right for him or not." – Alexander Skarsgård (21:47)

d. Childhood Crushes: An Anecdote (22:03–23:56)

• Alexander’s First "Love" Turned Prank
  Alexander recounts falling for a girl (“let's just call her Bob”) at age 8 and finding a note in his pocket asking if he wanted to be her boyfriend—only to discover it was forged by a friend.

  "I found a note...from Bob saying, like, do you want to be my boyfriend? Yes. No. Maybe." – Alexander Skarsgård (22:33) "I lost a girlfriend and a best friend." – Alexander Skarsgård (23:52)

e. Film Release Dates

• Pillion is in select theaters February 6th and nationwide February 20th.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Monologue Satire:

  • "Before they take away all the ICE porn, let me just see this one. One more. Was that good for you? Because it was good for me." – Stephen Colbert (04:39)
  • "Olive Garden. When you're here, the word sirloin has an asterisk." – Stephen Colbert (08:46)
  • "Do you even love Internet, or do I need to kill you? Please, please, please. I love you. Don't make me do this, Babe." – Stephen Colbert (11:35)

• Alexander Skarsgård’s Deadpan:

  • "I still kind of smell of pickle juice." (18:05)
  • "Maybe someone will love you someday. Maybe." – Alexander Skarsgård (23:56)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Time | Segment Title | Key Content | |----------|------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------| | 03:37 | Colbert’s Monologue Begins | Political satire, pop culture, Trump & ICE | | 05:31 | Springsteen Protest Song Excerpt | Skarsgård quotes lyrics | | 06:49 | U.S. ICE at Milan Olympics | Italian word jokes, international backlash | | 16:08 | Alexander Skarsgård Interview Begins | Pickle debacle retold | | 19:29 | Red Carpet/Festival Stories with Father | Supporting each other's films | | 20:36 | Pillion Discussion | Comedy with a BDSM twist | | 22:03 | Alexander’s First Crush Story | Anecdote about schoolyard romance prank | | 23:56 | Skarsgård on Lost Friendships | “Maybe someone will love you someday. Maybe.” |

Tone & Style

Colbert’s tone is quick-witted, sardonic, and peppered with self-aware banter. Skarsgård’s humor is dry and subtly self-deprecating, matching Colbert’s energy with understated comic timing. Their rapport is playful and engaging, making the episode as entertaining as it is insightful.

Summary:
This episode blends political satire with a humorous interview as Stephen Colbert and Alexander Skarsgård trade playful jabs, share personal (and pickle-related) stories, and offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the making and spirit of Pillion. For new listeners, it stands as a prime example of The Late Show’s seamless mixture of smart commentary and celebrity fun.