The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert

Episode: Anderson Cooper & Andy Cohen | Gettin' Wiles
Date: December 17, 2025

Episode Overview

In this lively holiday edition of The Late Show Pod Show, Stephen Colbert welcomes back television favorites Anderson Cooper (of CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360) and Andy Cohen (host of Watch What Happens Live) for their annual pre-New Year's Eve countdown chat. The conversation runs the gamut from political satire and playful recollections of New Year's Eve broadcasts, to heartfelt family moments, charming tales of parenting, and distinctive rituals that define their friendship. The episode is marked by joyful banter, candid confessions, and hilarious storytelling, all imbued with Colbert's signature wit.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Political Satire and Vanity Fair Article on Trump Administration

(03:33 - 12:46)

• Opening Monologue: Colbert delivers sharp commentary on a new Vanity Fair exposé featuring Trump aide Susie Wiles.
  • Colbert on Trump's Personality: “Wiles says Trump has an alcoholic's personality. I believe that and frankly, I think it's amazing he doesn't drink because he sure sounds like it.” (01:54)
• Playful Ribbing of Political Figures: Includes barbs about Donald Trump's Cabinet meetings and Elon Musk's eccentricities.
• Colbert on Surreal WH Dynamics: “She keeps a freestanding video monitor…with a live feed of Trump’s social media posts. So there’s fire and a constant stream of Trump social media posts. Are you sure that’s your office? Cause it sounds like hell to me.” (06:17)
• Feel-Good Science Segment: Introduction of “spy cockroaches” by a German startup for both military and rescue missions, blending real-world news with comedic skepticism.

2. Annual Anderson & Andy Holiday Visit

(14:32 - 21:27)

• Colbert Welcomes the Pair: Jokes about signs of the holidays being defined by their yearly Late Show appearance.
  • “This is how I know it’s the holidays. Anderson and Andy are here.” (15:03)
• New Year’s Eve Traditions: Discussion about their tradition of doing on-air shots during the live broadcast.
  • Colbert: "We like to do a couple shots with you guys just to get Anderson warmed up for my broadcast that night." (15:32)
  • Anderson: “But then it’s a blur for me. After the first, after the first one.” (15:28)
  • Andy: “I do it every Wednesday night on Watch What Happens Live.” (16:04)
• Last Year's NYE Afterparty: Recollection of attending Patti LuPone’s afterparty, with Andy “dragging” Anderson along, who admits to being quite drunk.
  • “I actually, I don’t drink other than when I'm with this guy on New Year’s Eve.” — Anderson Cooper (17:02)
• On-Air Antics: Anderson describes nervously checking headlines after New Year’s Eve, fearing what Andy might have done on air.
  • Anderson: “Really, in the last 30 minutes, I’m just looking at things online to see in what ways has he screwed us over.” (17:49)

3. Family Adventures & Disney World Tales

(21:27 - 23:12)

• Taking Their Sons to Disney World: Stories of visiting Disney World together with their young children.
  • “When Andy goes anywhere I slink along, I wear a hat. Andy, like, announces himself, you know.” — Anderson Cooper (18:42)
• Amusing Disney Mishap: They inadvertently had the Dumbo ride shut down for their private group, leading to embarrassment as other families waited.
  • Anderson: “I look around and I realize there’s no one else on this Dumbo ride. Just him and me...They have shut down the Dumbo ride so that this Dumbo and I can ride around on it with our kids.” (21:02)
  • Andy: “It was bad.” (21:03)

4. Bizarre NYC Habits & Fan Encounters

(23:12 - 26:29)

• Andy’s Hitchhiking: Andy reveals (again) that he sometimes hitchhikes in NYC, hoping for fans of his Housewives show to give him rides.
  • Andy: “If I can’t get a cab or an Uber, I'll stick my thumb out and hope that there’s a Housewives fan. He wants to give me a...” (23:36)
• Anderson’s Concern: Anderson recounts a story of an overly enthusiastic fan who traveled from abroad to meet him, and Andy mistakenly encouraging her.
  • “Your immediate response is yeah, you better get there." — Anderson Cooper (25:17)

5. Andy’s Secret Coloring Book Club

(26:29 - 27:47)

• Colbert Discovers Andy’s Coloring Rituals: Andy describes his “coloring club” with Amy Sedaris and friends, complete with cannabis and Sunday afternoon meetups.
  • Andy: “We smoke a joint and color on Sundays...we’re called the Sativis.” (26:42)
  • Colbert: “This is afternoon delight.” (27:10)
• Sharing Art: Andy presents his artwork, and Anderson expresses surprise at not knowing about this ritual after 30 years of friendship.

6. Heartfelt Family Moments: The Christmas Lists

(27:47 - 30:42)

• Anderson Shares His Sons’ Christmas Requests: Hilarious and sweet holiday wish-lists from his children, full of costumes and quirky items.
  • Wyatt (eldest): “A Hulk costume with muscles and big punchers, a dog costume ... and the last item is handcuffs.” (29:13)
  • Sebastian (younger): “Chocolate, a toothpaste costume ... and handcuffs that are bigger than Wyatt’s.” (29:49)
• Colbert’s Observations: Notes the family’s deep connection to costumes and tradition, showing photos of a costumed young Anderson.

7. Andy and Hanukkah

(30:42 - 31:21)

• Andy Lights the Menorah: Andy shares his annual tradition lighting the West Village menorah, expressing Jewish pride and the importance of family and heritage.
  • Andy: “Hanukkah means to me family and tradition. And this year more than ever, just being super proud of my heritage and being. Wanting to show the world, you know.” (31:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Stephen Colbert on the Trump Administration:
  “You’re not crazy. What’s happening is crazy.” (03:33)

• Anderson on New Year’s Eve On-Air Drinking:
  “After the first [shot], it’s a blur for me.” (15:28)

• Andy on their Disney World adventure:
  “Yes, that’s us on Tron.” (18:32)

• Anderson on the Dumbo ride incident:
  “I look down and there’s long line of people with their cameras out and I suddenly realize, oh, my God, they have shut down the Dumbo ride so that this Dumbo and I can ride around on it with our kids.” (21:02)

• Andy’s coloring club confession:
  “We smoke a joint and color on Sundays…we’re called the Sativis.” (26:42)

• Anderson reading his kids’ Christmas lists:
  “Wyatt wants a Hulk costume with muscles and big punchers, a dog costume, an elf costume, a bat costume...and the last item is handcuffs.” (29:13)

• Andy on Hanukkah:
  “Hanukkah means to me family and tradition. And this year more than ever, just being super proud of my heritage and being. Wanting to show the world, you know.” (31:00)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00-01:33 — (Ads and Sponsor Messages, Skipped)
• 01:33-12:47 — Monologue: Trump Administration, Vanity Fair, “Spy Roaches”
• 14:32-15:11 — Anderson & Andy Annual Visit Begins
• 15:24-16:26 — On-Air Shots and NYE Preparation
• 16:45-17:49 — NYE Afterparty and On-Air Hijinks
• 18:25-21:27 — Disney World Story and Dumbo Ride Mishap
• 23:12-23:56 — Andy's Hitchhiking Confessions
• 25:00-25:49 — Anderson’s Fan-Stalker Anecdote
• 26:29-27:47 — Andy’s Coloring Club
• 27:47-30:42 — Anderson's Sons’ Christmas Lists
• 30:42-31:21 — Andy Lights the Menorah and Shares about Hanukkah

Conclusion

This festive episode showcases the chemistry between Colbert, Cooper, and Cohen, blending irreverence, heartfelt family talk, and behind-the-scenes insight into their lives and friendship. From political lampooning to intimate holiday stories, the episode radiates warmth, humor, and authenticity—perfect listening for both longtime fans and holiday revelers alike.