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Angela Bassett
You ever hit that moment when your kid asks for help with homework and you're like, wait, when did long division get this complicated? Or maybe your child's flying through lessons and getting bored in class? Yeah, been there. Whether they're struggling or soaring, IXL can make a real difference. IXL is an award winning online platform that helps kids really understand what they're learning. It covers math, language arts, science and social studies from Pre K through 12th grade and it's actually fun, engaging, personalized and packed with encouraging feedback to help keep them motivated. I IXL is used by 96 of the top 100 school districts in the US and it's no surprise it's backed by research. Kids using IXL are scoring higher on tests, and studies from almost every state show they're consistently doing better. Make an impact on your child's learning. Get IXL now and listeners of this podcast can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ixcellearning.com audio visit ixllearning.com audio to get the most effective learning program out there at the Best price at Designer.
Stephen Colbert
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Angela Bassett
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Stephen Colbert
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Angela Bassett
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Stephen Colbert
To at your DSW store or dsw.com welcome. Please have a seat everybody. Welcome. Welcome to the Late Show. That's exciting. That is nice. Yes ma' am, right there. I'm your host Stephen Colbert. I hope you all had a good weekend. Hope you all had a good weekend. The President spent it settling back in at the White House after his Mideast all you can bribe buffet. And oh man, did you see he just loved it over there. He was having such a good time with the princes and the palaces and the marble and the gold and the special souvenir he really wants to bring home. Obedience to leaders on punishment of death. Because evidently, evidently because he spent this beautiful weekend viciously attacking any who dare defy him, including Walmart, which recently and quite reasonably called his tariffs too high and announced that they will raise prices as a result. Which means. Which means. I know. Which means it's going to cost you a lot more when you run out for milk. One Goodyear tire and a T shirt that says Shrek yourself before you wreck yourself. All right, don't do it. Be careful. Trump didn't like Walmart accurately describing how he has personally affected your pocketbook. So the President posted Walmart should stop trying to blame tariffs as the reason for raising prices throughout the chain. They should, as is said, eat the tariffs. Yes. No, folks, as is said, I make a mess, you eat it. That's how the world works. That's how the. Which reminds me, JD there's some hot dogs stuck in my golf cleats. Get over here with your tongue and a positive attitude. It's not just. It's not just Walmart. Dear Leader is also trying to intimidate another important sector of American economy, our precious celebrities. Cuz on Friday, out of nowhere, Trump posted. Has anyone noticed that since I said I hate Taylor Swift, she's no longer hot? Wow. Wow. I'm beginning to understand why he likes having a mob. First of all, sir, keep my best friend Taylor Swift's name out. Out of your filthy nugget hole. Second, it's possible. Hear me out. It's possible people are talking about her a little less these days because her 149 date eras tour ended six months ago. Have you noticed how she hasn't gone to Kansas City Chiefs games since February? Am I the only one? Also, Taylor hasn't gotten a single Christmas present all spring. Santa hates you, Tay Tay. By the way, I fired Santa. And Marco Rubio will be serving as interim St. Nick. And that, that right there, that was just a warm up because next, Trump went after Bruce Springsteen. After. After the Boss called Trump corrupt, incompetent and treasonous at a concert in Manchester. Eng Trump did not appreciate Springsteen's constructive criticism. Posting. I see that highly overrated. Bruce Springsteen goes to a foreign country to speak badly about the President of the United States. Never liked him. Never liked his music or his radical left politics. And importantly, he's not a talented guy. I don't understand. What are you doing? What are you doing? Attacking Bruce is like attacking America itself. I haven't seen a politician be this tone deaf since Herbert Hoover's campaign slogan, apple pie sucks and so does your mom. Yeah, Trump didn't work out well for him. Trump finished up with a this dried out prune of a rocker. His skin is all atrophied. Ought to keep his mouth shut until he gets back into the country. That's just standard fare. Then we'll all see how it goes for him. Pretty bold. No, they did it first, you don't have to do it now. Pretty bold. To say someone else's skin is atrophied when your own complexion can best be described as tandoori catcher's mitts. Come on, then. I got something there then. This morning, Trump expanded his attack on the A listers, posting this made up accusation. According to news reports, Beyonce was paid $11 million to walk onto a stage and quickly endorse Kamala. This is an illegal election scam. At the highest level, it is an illegal campaign contribution. Bruce Springsteen, Oprah, Bono, and perhaps many others have a lot of explaining to do that is chilling. And you know, right now, some agent in Hollywood is getting this phone call. Why am I not on Trump's list? Why does Oprah get sent to all the good gulags? Listen, I went to Juilliard. Why can't I get arrested in this town? Some of Trump's targets are shaking it off. For instance, a few weeks back, Donald Trump signed an executive order canceling all government funding for PBS. And as a result, Sesame street laid off about 20% of its staff this year. Yeah. On top of that, they lost some of their to other platforms. The letter D is now doing Targeted ads on OnlyFans. Yeah.
Angela Bassett
Wow.
Stephen Colbert
It starts off tasteful and then it gets dark. Good news today. Sesame street is saved thanks to a new streaming deal with Netflix. Great work, Netflix. All is forgiven. Good for Netflix. I can't wait to see collabs like Grover, Things, Big Burgerton and Snufflearcos. Hey. Hey, Bird. Hey, Bird. I don't exist. And if you say anything to the cops, you won't either. Hold on, hold on. Tom, did that money. Did the money come in? Did the guy drop the thing at the place where I said to drop off the money? Okay, what else is going on? Trump tries to dominate everyone in the mold of rulers, like Turkey's President Erdogan. Here's Erdogan greeting French President Macron. Take a look at how Erdogan tries to win the handshake. What is happening? Trump's TV ideas are also out of the finger grab and strongman playbook because reportedly, the Department of Homeland Security is considering a reality show where immigrants compete. Okay, all right, calm down. I know that sounds dystopian, but to be fair, that's how citizenship has always worked. In fact, my great grandfather actually won the first season of so you think you can dig the Erie Canal. Thank you. Thank you, Andrew Edward Tuck. This show is the brainchild of a Canadian born writer and producer who was behind AES Duck Dynasty named Rob. Worse off. Wait, a Canadian came up with this idea for America. Well, I guess some immigrants really do make this country worse off. Show canceled. Jim, Jim, hold on. Wait. I'm sorry, Jim. I thought we talked about this graphic last week. Yes, we did. Okay. All right. Warsaw went on CNN to explain his vision. My dream is to do every episode in a different state where we will celebrate that state. The challenges would be like, if we're in New York, we're doing a pizza making challenge. And if we're in Florida, we're doing a rocket launching challenge. And if we're in California, we're doing a gold rush challenge. And if we're in Nebraska, we're doing Nebraska things, which I think is. I think it's. Is being corn. I don't know. I wasn't born here. I don't know. Now, this sounds like a cynical ploy to exploit immigrants for entertainment. But don't worry, because Wirs off says it's definitely not. That anybody with half a brain with a critical mind thinking about this show for five seconds would of course conclude that it's not the Hunger Games. Yeah. Yeah. And anyone who thought about it for six seconds would say, oh, wait, no, this is the Hunger Games. Speaking of Hunger Games. Hunger Games. Oh, speaking of US Citizens, the Pope. This Sunday. This Sunday. This Sunday, Pope Leo delivered his inaugural mass at the Vatican, where he called for unity and a missionary spirit. Because as Catholics know, any spirit other than missionary is a sin. And we recently learned the Pope is a servant of God with a rock and bod. Because prior to the papacy, Leo trained regularly in the gym near the Vatican, often working out multiple times a week. No doubt inspired. No doubt inspired by the Sistine Chapel fresco of the Angel Gabriel getting ripped on a Bowflex. Of course, according to the Pope's former trainer, the Holy Father was a client like any other and he behaved like all the clients at the gym. So he also didn't wipe down the elliptical when he was done. Sounds like everyone was a fan of the Pontiff. Because the founder of the gym praised the Pope's ability to combine spirituality and sports training. Yes, and that combination of spirituality and sports training is at the heart of the hottest exercise trend. CrossFit. Terrible joke. Jim. Jim. So wait, Jim. Jim. Is that the graphic that was supposed to go up? I don't think so. Then who made it? It's Andrew in Graphics. Dro, we've worked together for 20 years. I thought we were friends. I've only ever considered us colleagues at bags. Okay, that hurts. Jim. Jim, what about you and me. We're really friends, right? We're looking into it. We got a great show for you tonight coming up.
Angela Bassett
Angela Bassett, you ever hit that moment when your kid asks for help with homework and you're like, wait, when did long division get this complicated? Or maybe your child's flying through lessons and getting bored in class? Yeah, been there. Whether they're struggling or soaring, IXL can make a real difference. IXL is an award winning online platform that helps kids really understand what they're learning and it covers math, language arts, science and social studies from Pre K through 12th grade. And it's actually fun, engaging, personalized and packed with encouraging feedback to help keep them motivated. IXL is used by 96 of the top 100 school districts in the US and it's no surprise it's backed by research. Kids using IXL are scoring higher on tests and studies from almost every state show they're consistently doing better. Make an impact on your child's learning. Get IXL now and listeners of this podcast can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up. For sign up today@ixllearning.com audio visit ixllearning.com audio to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price this Memorial Day.
Stephen Colbert
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Angela Bassett
We're on the same team.
Stephen Colbert
I'm right here with you no matter what. I would never leave you hanging in the deep end. This place is a way of giving you new family Fire Country. All episodes now streaming on Paramount. Plus welcome back friends and neighbors. Ladies and gentlemen. My first guest tonight is an Academy an Emmy winning actor. You know from what's Love Got to Do With It, How Stella Got Her Groove Back and Black Panther. She now stars in the new Mission Impossible. The Final Reckoning. You let Hunt go.
Angela Bassett
That's what I said with the Key? Well, he couldn't do much without it.
Stephen Colbert
So where is he now?
Angela Bassett
Somewhere in the Northern Pacific.
Stephen Colbert
I assume you gave him an aircraft carrier.
Angela Bassett
I am the commander in chief of the Armed Forces, Mr. Secretary. It is my aircraft carrier, and I do with it as I please.
Stephen Colbert
You knew this would happen. I suspected. You could have at least told us.
Angela Bassett
I just did. And now you're excused, Madam President. That would be all.
Stephen Colbert
Please. Welcome back to the Late Show, Angela Basset. Hi. Nice to see you again. Thank you.
Angela Bassett
You too. It's been a while.
Stephen Colbert
Happy spring. Summer's almost here.
Angela Bassett
Oh, come summer, come.
Stephen Colbert
Isn't that nice? Last time. It's been too long. Last time you were here, it was 2018 for Black Panther.
Angela Bassett
Yeah.
Stephen Colbert
And it was a huge cultural phenomenon. I'm just curious, what's it like been since then? To be queen, Raimondo like, what is that like?
Angela Bassett
Listen, so many people loved it from 4 to 94, you know, y. A lot of this, a lot of this. A lot of tears, a lot of Ryan, why have you done this? But, you know, there's always the ancestral plane.
Stephen Colbert
Sure. Always.
Angela Bassett
Yes, exactly.
Anything can happen. It's not impossible.
Stephen Colbert
Spoiler.
Angela Bassett
Yes, I know nothing.
Stephen Colbert
You were in New York earlier this month, looking fantastic at the Met Gala. There you are, right there. I like the cane. That have a sword in it or anything like that?
Angela Bassett
No, no, it's a regular cane, but yeah.
Stephen Colbert
Had you been before?
Angela Bassett
No, I hadn't been before. This was the perfect one to attend.
Stephen Colbert
Did you have a good time?
Angela Bassett
I had a great time. I thought I understood the assignment.
Stephen Colbert
You sure? 100%. It is that. Is that. It's very fancy. It's about the fanciest thing you could go to. And people from all walks of entertainment and industry are there. Who'd you hang with? Because it's always like I hung. The first time I went, I was lucky enough to go with Ebby. We hung out with Tom Hiddleston. That was fun the first time. Yeah. Yeah. Who are you hanging out with?
Angela Bassett
Well, Andre 3000.
Stephen Colbert
Oh, sure. He's always very cool.
Angela Bassett
So cool.
Stephen Colbert
So he's always well tailored.
Angela Bassett
Jalen Hurts and his wife.
Stephen Colbert
Oh, nice. Very nice. That's good.
Angela Bassett
He's a young man. I love how you stand. Yes. And you know, and the ride home. The car is coming to pick you up.
Stephen Colbert
It's so long, that scene. Everybody waiting for.
Angela Bassett
I know. You want to ride? Yeah, I'll catch a lift with you. I was like, I'll sit up front. So, yeah, I'm on a ride with him.
Stephen Colbert
Okay, so now, I love the Mission Impossible franchise. I love everything about it. And thank you. Partly because I love the spirit of it. I mean, I'm old enough to remember the original series and everything like that, and I love the spirit of this new one, and I love seeing Tom Cruise get himself in enormous trouble. And the new one is Final Reckoning. That sounds. That sounds final. Is it the final Reckoning is final.
Angela Bassett
The end.
Stephen Colbert
Exactly. Is final. The end. Or could there be graduate school reckoning? What is. Do you know at this point?
Angela Bassett
I do not know, but I don't think it's. I don't feel like it's the end.
Stephen Colbert
No. Does your character survive this?
Angela Bassett
I don't want to spoil it. Yeah, someone doesn't survive. But many people do survive. Enough people survive that we can carry on.
Stephen Colbert
All right, good.
Angela Bassett
You can carry on.
Stephen Colbert
Okay. Your character. You get the urge. Now, did we first meet you in Fallout? Mission Impossible. Okay. So that your character, Erica Sloan, was the head of the CIA at the time. Now, as we can see from that clip, you're President of the United States. That's an upgrade.
Angela Bassett
Yeah. I got a promotion. I love it.
Stephen Colbert
The people gave you the promotion. How do you. How does the head of the CIA pull that off? How does she become president?
Angela Bassett
Well, I wasn't in. In the seventh episode, so somewhere in there, I was campaigning, you know, you weren't available.
Stephen Colbert
You weren't availed of my wealth of.
Angela Bassett
Knowledge and expertise and diplomacy. You know, as director of the CIA, I'm sure it came into play many hurdles that I had to jump over. I mean, he's doing stunts, but imagine the hurdles I faced.
Stephen Colbert
Exactly. That's what I would like to.
Angela Bassett
As a woman. I like.
Stephen Colbert
I want to see the story. That's the movie I want to see was what was happening for her between CIA and President of the United States. That sounds like a franchise of its own.
Angela Bassett
Absolutely.
Stephen Colbert
That's the. That's.
Angela Bassett
You don't know what I had to go through.
Stephen Colbert
No, exactly. That's the additional reckoning. Now it's your second time playing an American president. Just this year. Zero day. Zero day with Robert De Niro. Yeah. Okay. Are you soft launching a 2028 campaign? Because.
Angela Bassett
I'm here to serve.
Stephen Colbert
I'll max out the donation right now if you want. I'm in. Tom Cruise is known for his outrageous. I would say impressive, but it's also outrageous stunts. And this time, I think he hangs onto a biplane with his teeth in this one or something like that. It's really Incredibly impressive.
Angela Bassett
Yes, he does.
Stephen Colbert
Do you enjoy. Do you do your own stunts?
Angela Bassett
Walking, sitting.
Stephen Colbert
Right. Okay.
Angela Bassett
Yes. Well, I'm on a television show and I've had to do stunts there.
Stephen Colbert
Okay.
Angela Bassett
So I've done the underwater and I. He jumped out of a plane, but what underwater? I landed a plane, you know. Good memory.
Stephen Colbert
What is it? All he does is playing like a monkey. What did you have to do underwater?
Angela Bassett
We had a whole, you know, yacht sequence, you know, going on a cruise and the water up to here, you know, so.
Stephen Colbert
Right.
Angela Bassett
And you have to stay in this water 12, 14, 16 hours.
Stephen Colbert
Do they warm up the water?
Angela Bassett
They warmed it up because it's winter. So to get out of the water soaking wet.
Stephen Colbert
Sure.
Angela Bassett
You know, it was like. That's not pleasant.
Stephen Colbert
Right.
Angela Bassett
So you just stay in the water.
Stephen Colbert
But at least they could have like a massage and an exfoliation when you get out. They should have make it a spa day or something like that.
Angela Bassett
They didn't do that. I didn't ask.
Stephen Colbert
You've done some dangerous stuff right here. This is. There you are. And waiting to exhale. You haven't changed at all. Waiting to exhale. Did you throw the match? That's a stunt.
Angela Bassett
I did. I threw the match.
Stephen Colbert
Did you really throw the match and set it on fire?
Angela Bassett
Well, I had a little help. I had a little help to make the pyrotechnics. Yeah. It had to happen quickly and you know, with a big fire. Yes, but it was hot. It was real fire and it was real heat.
Stephen Colbert
There you go. Is there anything? Is there anything? You know, again, Cruz is known for just giving all these stunts. Is there anything you've seen him refuse to do?
Angela Bassett
Eat cake. Maybe. He said, you know, he's famous for sending coconut cakes.
Stephen Colbert
The coconut cakes every. Have you gotten a coconut cake?
Angela Bassett
I've gotten so many cakes. And they have little ornaments of deer on them.
Stephen Colbert
Like, you know, they're deer on the.
Angela Bassett
Little beautiful deer ornaments.
Stephen Colbert
Oh, cuz it's like. It's snow. The coconut is the snow. That's the thing.
Angela Bassett
So this year my entire tree was thorn ornamented with his cake ornaments. I need to know other ornaments. Too much cake.
Stephen Colbert
Gotta get on the list. Gotta get on the list. There's some fresh faces here in the whole mi. The Mission Impossible. There you go. We saw in that clip just there. Where is he? Where's Nick? Is Nick in this? Nick Offerman's in there. Tramell Tillman from Severance is in there. There's Hannah Waddingham right there.
Angela Bassett
My girl. Hannah My new best friend, my new bestie.
Stephen Colbert
Is she fitting in?
Angela Bassett
She's awesome.
Stephen Colbert
She's awesome. Yeah.
Angela Bassett
We were in Constance. She said, you know, I really want to tell you something. I have the biggest crush. And I thought, oh, who are we going to talk about? And she was like, on you. I was like, what?
Stephen Colbert
Wow.
Angela Bassett
Well, that's okay because I got one in you as well. Oh, that's so cool.
Stephen Colbert
Well, thank you so much for being here. It was wonderful to see you.
Angela Bassett
Thank you. Thank you.
Stephen Colbert
Mission Impossible the Final Reckoning opens in theaters this Friday. Angela Bassett, everybody. Thank you for listening to the Late show pod show with Stephen Colbert. Just one more thing. If you want to see more of me, come to The Late Show YouTube channel for more clips and exclusives. Now streaming. When everything's on the line, real heroes rise to the occasion. TV's hottest show is Fire Country. We're firefighters. We're gonna find a way to get you out of here. We take the hits together.
Angela Bassett
We're on the same team.
Stephen Colbert
I'm right here with you. No matter what. I would never leave you hanging in the deep end. This place is a way of giving you new family. Fire Country. All episodes now streaming on Paramount. Plus, your mission, should you choose to accept this Friday, everything you've done has come to this. Tom Cruise. I need you to trust me one last time. Mission Impossible, the Final Reckoning only in theaters Friday. Ready PG13.
Podcast Summary: The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert
Episode: Angela Bassett | Writing's On The WalMart
Release Date: May 20, 2025
In this engaging episode of The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert, host Stephen Colbert welcomes Academy and Emmy-winning actress Angela Bassett. The conversation seamlessly weaves through Colbert's signature political satire and a heartfelt interview with Bassett, providing listeners with humor, insightful discussions, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into Bassett's latest projects.
[01:27] Stephen Colbert kicks off the episode with his trademark witty monologue, targeting former President Donald Trump's recent antagonism towards major American institutions and celebrities.
Trump vs. Walmart: Colbert humorously critiques Trump's backlash against Walmart's decision to raise prices due to increased tariffs.
"Trump didn't like Walmart accurately describing how he has personally affected your pocketbook. So the President posted Walmart should stop trying to blame tariffs..." [04:15]
Celebrity Targets: He continues by highlighting Trump's unfounded accusations against celebrities like Taylor Swift and Bruce Springsteen, mocking the former president's social media antics.
"Has anyone noticed that since I said I hate Taylor Swift, she's no longer hot?" [05:45]
"Attacking Bruce is like attacking America itself." [06:30]
Impact on Entertainment: Colbert transitions to discuss the broader implications of Trump’s actions on the entertainment industry, including the unfortunate cancellation of beloved programs like Sesame Street.
"Trump signed an executive order canceling all government funding for PBS. And as a result, Sesame Street laid off about 20% of its staff this year." [07:10]
His monologue deftly blends humor with critical commentary, setting a lively tone for the episode.
Following the monologue, Colbert delves deeper into the repercussions of Trump's policies on popular culture and media.
Streaming Solutions: He humorously remarks on the revival of Sesame Street through a new streaming deal with Netflix, poking fun at the nostalgia and absurdity of modern content adaptations.
"Good news today. Sesame Street is saved thanks to a new streaming deal with Netflix." [07:53]
Political Parallels: Colbert draws parallels between Trump’s leadership style and that of international leaders like Turkey’s President Erdogan, further satirizing the political landscape.
"Trump tries to dominate everyone in the mold of rulers, like Turkey's President Erdogan." [08:15]
Satirical Reality Shows: He introduces a fictional and dystopian reality show concept proposed by Trump, lampooning the seriousness of immigration issues.
"The Department of Homeland Security is considering a reality show where immigrants compete." [09:45]
Colbert’s sharp observations provide listeners with a humorous yet poignant take on ongoing political and social issues.
Transitioning from satire to a more personal conversation, Stephen Colbert sits down with Angela Bassett to discuss her role in the latest installment of the Mission Impossible franchise, "Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning."
Character Evolution: Bassett elaborates on her character’s transformation from the CIA Director Erica Sloan to the President of the United States within the film.
"I got a promotion. I love it." [20:08]
Behind-the-Scenes Experiences: She shares anecdotes about performing stunts and the challenges of filming, providing fans with an insider look at the action-packed production.
"We've had to do stunts there. So I've done the underwater and I landed a plane, you know." [21:43]
Collaborations and Relationships: Bassett highlights her interactions with co-stars, including her newfound friendship with Hannah Waddingham, adding a personal touch to the discussion.
"She was like, in Constance. She really wants to tell you something. I have the biggest crush." [24:00]
Future Projects: When asked about the possibility of sequels, Bassett remains optimistic yet open-ended, hinting at the franchise's potential to continue beyond the current film.
"I don't think it's the end. Someone doesn't survive, but many people do survive. Enough people survive that we can carry on." [19:49]
Stephen Colbert on Trump's Impact on Prices:
"I make a mess, you eat it. That's how the world works." [05:10]
Angela Bassett on Her Role:
"I am the commander in chief of the Armed Forces, Mr. Secretary. It is my aircraft carrier, and I do with it as I please." [16:25]
Colbert on Stunts in Mission Impossible:
"Do you enjoy your own stunts?" [21:30]
Bassett Responding to Character Survival:
"I don't want to spoil it. Yeah, someone doesn't survive. But many people do survive. Enough people survive that we can carry on." [19:39]
The episode masterfully balances Stephen Colbert’s incisive political humor with a substantive and engaging interview with Angela Bassett. Listeners are treated to a blend of laughter, critical insight, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content from one of Hollywood's esteemed actresses. Whether dissecting current events or exploring the nuances of a blockbuster film, The Late Show Pod Show delivers a compelling and entertaining experience.
Note: Advertisements for IXL, DSW, and Home Depot were present in the transcript but have been excluded from this summary in accordance with the specified guidelines.