Ben Schwartz

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert featuring Ben Schwartz

Episode Details:

• Title: The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert
• Guest: Ben Schwartz
• Release Date: December 23, 2024
• Host: Stephen Colbert
• Description: Join Stephen Colbert in a lively and humorous conversation with Emmy Award-winning comedian Ben Schwartz, best known for his roles in Parks and Recreation, House of Lies, and as the voice of Sonic the Hedgehog.

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1. Welcome and Introduction

The episode kicks off with Stephen Colbert warmly welcoming Ben Schwartz back to The Late Show. Stephen humorously introduces Ben’s impressive resume, highlighting his roles in popular TV shows and his reprisal of Sonic the Hedgehog in the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 3.

Notable Quote:

• Stephen Colbert [00:36]: "My next guest is an Emmy award-winning comedian, you know, from Parks and Recreation, House of Lies, and Sonic the Hedgehog. He now reprises his role as Sonic in Sonic the Hedgehog 3."

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2. Discussing Sonic the Hedgehog 3

The conversation delves into Ben Schwartz’s role in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Ben shares his creative aspirations for the character, envisioning a future where Sonic ages gracefully, humorously expressing his desire for multiple versions of Sonic as he deals with the physical strains of his adventurous lifestyle.

Notable Quotes:

• Ben Schwartz [02:05]: "At this point, my hope is like 10, 15 Sonics. I want him to slowly age so by the time he's like at the 10th Sonic, he's really worried about his back and running is no longer an option. He's like walking, but power walking."
• Stephen Colbert [02:20]: "Exactly. Past your 40s. Sonic's got to think about his knees."

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3. Light-Hearted Banter on Aging and Health

Stephen and Ben engage in a playful exchange about aging, discussing joint issues and pastimes they can no longer partake in due to physical limitations. This segment showcases their chemistry and comfort in ribbing each other about personal topics.

Notable Quotes:

• Ben Schwartz [02:24]: "Oh, he's got a torn meniscus."
• Stephen Colbert [02:32]: "How are your knees? We haven't even talked about it."
• Ben Schwartz [02:41]: "Yeah, yeah, yeah. Sharp pains. I get sharp pains every now and then."

---

4. Arm Wrestling Challenge

In a humorous twist, Ben challenges Stephen to an arm-wrestling match, integrating elements from the classic movie Over the Top starring Sylvester Stallone. The segment is filled with playful competitiveness, witty remarks, and mutual teasing, highlighting their camaraderie.

Notable Quotes:

• Ben Schwartz [04:02]: "Have you ever arm wrestle?"
• Stephen Colbert [04:05]: "Do you want a pad?"
• Stephen Colbert [05:22]: "One, two, three. Oh, I'm gonna win."

The arm wrestling continues with Stephen declaring victory despite Ben’s playful protests, culminating in both sharing a laugh over the friendly competition.

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5. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Release and Final Remarks

Ben reiterates the excitement surrounding the release of Sonic the Hedgehog 3, encouraging listeners to catch the film in theaters. The conversation briefly touches on Stephen Colbert’s recent birthday, adding a personal touch to the episode.

Notable Quotes:

• Ben Schwartz [06:15]: "And by the way, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is coming in theaters December 20th."
• Stephen Colbert [05:58]: "Thank you very much. I'm 73."

As the episode approaches its end, Stephen invites listeners to check out more content on The Late Show YouTube channel, wrapping up the engaging and entertaining discussion.

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6. Conclusion

The episode concludes with a cheerful farewell, leaving listeners with a sense of camaraderie between Stephen and Ben. The light-hearted and humorous dialogue ensures that both fans of The Late Show and Ben Schwartz can enjoy the episode, whether they're longtime followers or newcomers.

Closing Quote:

• Stephen Colbert [07:27]: "Sonic the Hedgehog 3 opens in theaters this Friday. Ben Schwartz, everybody. Thank you for listening to the Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert."

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Key Takeaways:

• Ben Schwartz brings humor and insight into his role as Sonic the Hedgehog, discussing creative directions for the character in the upcoming film.
• Stephen Colbert and Ben share a dynamic rapport filled with playful teasing and genuine conversation, making the episode both entertaining and engaging.
• The episode effectively promotes the release of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 while providing listeners with an amusing glimpse into the personalities of the host and his guest.

Listeners are encouraged to watch The Late Show with Stephen Colbert weeknights or stream the podcast for more insightful and entertaining conversations.

Transcript

[Paramount Ad Voice]

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[Stephen Colbert]

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you, my friends. You know. You know my friends. My next guest is an Emmy award winning comedian, you know, from Parks and Recreation, House of Lies, and Sonic the Hedgehog. He now reprises his role as Sonic in sonic the hedgehog 3. 3.

[Ben Schwartz]

Who is this guy? He is much more impressive than the.

[Willem Dafoe]

Hedgehog I fought previously.

[Ben Schwartz]

Dude, I'm standing right here. Now. Come on. You can't take us all at once.

[Stephen Colbert]

Okay.

[Ben Schwartz]

He took us all at once.

[Stephen Colbert]

Please welcome back to the late show. Ben Schwartz.

[Ben Schwartz]

Wow. Great job. Unbelievable. Good to see you. How is everybody? Wow. Welcome to the show. It's a very exciting show tonight.

[Stephen Colbert]

I'm right here. I'll talk to them.

[Ben Schwartz]

Willem Dafoe is here. Willem Dafoe is here from the Lighthouse. Oh, how are you? How is everything?

[Stephen Colbert]

He's finally coming on for the Lighthouse. He's coming on for Lighthouse, not coming on for Nosperatu.

[Ben Schwartz]

That's correct. Not Desperatu.

[Stephen Colbert]

Good to see you again.

[Ben Schwartz]

Great to see you.

[Stephen Colbert]

Congratulations. Congratulations on sonic the Hedgehog 3.

[Ben Schwartz]

Thank you. You've seen it.

[Stephen Colbert]

We'll get to that.

[Ben Schwartz]

My man. My absolute.

[Stephen Colbert]

Let's not rush it. Let's earn it.

[Ben Schwartz]

Let's get it.

[Stephen Colbert]

Let's earn it. How many Sonics are we going for here?

[Ben Schwartz]

At this point, my Hope is like 10, 15 sonics. I want him to slowly age so by the time he's like at the 10th Sonic, he's really worried about his back and running is no longer an option. He's like walking, but power walking.

[Stephen Colbert]

Exactly. Past your 40s. Sonic's got to think about his knees.

[Ben Schwartz]

Oh, he's got a torn menisc.

[Stephen Colbert]

Oh, unbelievable. He doesn't ski anymore.

[Ben Schwartz]

No. How could he with those knees and that back?

[Stephen Colbert]

Unbelievable.

[Ben Schwartz]

No way.

[Stephen Colbert]

Now you.

[Ben Schwartz]

How are your knees? We haven't even talked about it.

[Stephen Colbert]

We don't talk enough about my joints. My left knee. With the weather.

[Ben Schwartz]

It's twinges. I got the Same thing. Same.

[Stephen Colbert]

It twinges. Yeah. I have to consciously walk up and down steps.

[Ben Schwartz]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Sharp pains. I get sharp pains every now and then.

[Stephen Colbert]

Really?

[Ben Schwartz]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

How old are you?

[Ben Schwartz]

This is gonna blow Everybody's mind. I'm 76 years old.

[Stephen Colbert]

Wow. Okay.

[Ben Schwartz]

You can clap. That's so messed up. You should clap. Yeah, that's. Now that's old.

[Stephen Colbert]

You know what a Sonic head I am?

[Ben Schwartz]

Oh, my God. I don't know if you guys know, but Stephen Colbert knows everything there is to know about Sonic the Hedgehog.

[Stephen Colbert]

Every Sega Genesis game, not just Sonic.

[Ben Schwartz]

Is that true? Do you know Altered Beast and Golden Axe? Of course I do. Do you know Quackshot featuring Donald Duck?

[Stephen Colbert]

But let's not talk about that now. Let's talk about Sonic the Hedgehog here. What am I getting in Sonic 3? I didn't get in Sonic 1 and 2?

[Ben Schwartz]

You're getting Keanu Reeves as Shadow. What? Do you know what Shadow's nickname is? This. Okay, wait. Stop. Stop this. I know. You do not.

[Stephen Colbert]

I know. The shadow falls in love with Maria.

[Ben Schwartz]

Whoa. Let's not say in love falls for. They become friends. They become close friends.

[Stephen Colbert]

Friends can't love. This is a tough time for me to find out, Ben.

[Ben Schwartz]

Oh, my God. Oh, my God. That's when I realized he was right. Friends can love a 30 minute monologue of me doing that.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah, exactly.

[Ben Schwartz]

They become very close friends.

[Stephen Colbert]

Very close.

[Ben Schwartz]

He has a very dark backstory and his storyline is fueled with reven.

[Stephen Colbert]

Bad guy Keanu.

[Ben Schwartz]

Bad guy Keanu. But so rare, but also Canadian legend Keanu. Have you met Keanu Reeves?

[Stephen Colbert]

Have I met Keanu Reeves?

[Ben Schwartz]

Quick. Okay, ready? Have you ever arm wrestle?

[Stephen Colbert]

Quick, arm wrestle.

[Ben Schwartz]

Whoever wins gets to ask the host. All right, ready?

[Stephen Colbert]

Do you want a pad?

[Ben Schwartz]

Do you want a pad? I don't need a pad. I'm 20 years younger than you. I'm going to get absolutely crushed, by the way. By the way, Just so you know, I am going to. He's going to beat me, but I am really going to try. Ok, Ready? And I won't try.

[Stephen Colbert]

How about that?

[Ben Schwartz]

Have you ever seen over the Top?

[Stephen Colbert]

What?

[Ben Schwartz]

Over the Top with Sylvester Stallone?

[Stephen Colbert]

100%.

[Ben Schwartz]

Have you?

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah.

[Ben Schwartz]

Okay, great. I'm. Do it when we start. What is this?

[Stephen Colbert]

You don't know about the lock?

[Ben Schwartz]

No.

[Stephen Colbert]

You got to lock it in. All right. And like that. That keeps you rooted. Like this. Ready?

[Ben Schwartz]

So you're going to pull towards yourself, but then you can't.

[Stephen Colbert]

It's this or that. It's this or that. Help.

[Ben Schwartz]

A little Bit. Help a little bit. Help a little bit. Give me one per this man. Can you just hear from me? I just want one person to say Ben. Ok. Ok, great. So start it off. No, no, just him. Just him.

[Stephen Colbert]

Just one guy. Joe.

[Ben Schwartz]

My name. Ben.

[Stephen Colbert]

Say his name.

[Ben Schwartz]

Ben. Joe. Go for it.

[Stephen Colbert]

Chant Ben.

[Ben Schwartz]

Oh, my God.

[Stephen Colbert]

Oh, yes.

[Ben Schwartz]

I can't get one person to say my name. In a universe filled with Stevens, there's not one Ben.

[Stephen Colbert]

I think you're doing okay. I think you're doing okay. You're never invited back. You're never invited back.

[Ben Schwartz]

Yeah, back.

[Stephen Colbert]

One, two, three. Oh, I'm gonna win.

[Ben Schwartz]

I'm gonna win. I know I'm gonna win. I'm gonna win. I'm gonna win.

[Stephen Colbert]

I got you. Wait a second. You started like this. Okay, ready? You started like that.

[Ben Schwartz]

Okay. Okay. I'll let you right up here.

[Stephen Colbert]

Ready? Ready?

[Ben Schwartz]

My God, he's gonna do it again.

[Stephen Colbert]

Wait.

[Ben Schwartz]

This is. What over the top happened?

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah, that's like. It's this. It's all this.

[Ben Schwartz]

What are you doing?

[Stephen Colbert]

What are you doing? How do I feel? Like you're cheating already.

[Ben Schwartz]

I'll. I'll go limp until you tell me.

[Stephen Colbert]

No, no, don't go limp. I'm not. I'm not in hospice. I'm 60. Okay, okay.

[Ben Schwartz]

Congrats. By the way, when's your birthday? It was just his birthday, guys. Isn't that exciting?

[Stephen Colbert]

Thank you very much. I'm 73.

[Ben Schwartz]

Wait, can I do something that I just invented? We have to play thumb war underneath. I just invented this. Wait, name it, name it, name it. What is this game? This is a game I just invented. Thumb war underneath. And this here.

[Stephen Colbert]

Battle under the bridge. Battle the bridge.

[Ben Schwartz]

Now you can't cut it. That's maybe the best thing we've ever done in our lives. Okay, ready? And by the way, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is coming in theaters December 20th. Okay, ready?

[Stephen Colbert]

Like 1, 2, 3.

[Ben Schwartz]

Okay, down here. Ready?

[Stephen Colbert]

I love that.

[Ben Schwartz]

I love this idea. Ready? I love coming to the show. This is great. I don't care about winning either. Ready?

[Stephen Colbert]

I do.

[Ben Schwartz]

Do you? So it'll be 1, 2, 3, go. Okay, ready? Hey, Stephen.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah?

[Ben Schwartz]

Okay, ready? All right. One, two, three, go. I got it again. Oh, no. Oh.

[Stephen Colbert]

This distracted you? This distracted you.

[Ben Schwartz]

It can't be over. Is it over?

[Stephen Colbert]

But by the international point scoring System, this is 10 points. This is only seven.

[Ben Schwartz]

I know. You win. You won. You won. You won. And by the way, you had me, too.

[Stephen Colbert]

I did not have you.

[Ben Schwartz]

Can you ask one question before it's over. It's not over.

[Stephen Colbert]

Oh, okay.

[Ben Schwartz]

Great.

[Stephen Colbert]

What's up?

[Ben Schwartz]

Nothing.

[Stephen Colbert]

What's the question?

[Ben Schwartz]

Whatever you want to talk about.

[Stephen Colbert]

Do you remember the first time you made someone laugh?

[Ben Schwartz]

You turned into James Lipton when you came back to this thing.

[Stephen Colbert]

Remember the first time I made someone laugh?

[Ben Schwartz]

Oh, my goodness.

[Stephen Colbert]

And then after it says kindergarten.

[Ben Schwartz]

I have a great story about that. Do you want to hear it?

[Stephen Colbert]

Afraid we're out of time.

[Ben Schwartz]

Oh.

[Stephen Colbert]

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 opens in theaters this Friday. Ben Schwartz, 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.

[Paramount Ad Voice]

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[Ben Schwartz]

Let's go.

[Paramount Ad Voice]

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[Ben Schwartz]

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[Willem Dafoe]

A mountain of movies awaits on Paramount. That means a mountain of heart pounding action with blockbusters like Top Maverick and Rise of the Beasts.

[Ben Schwartz]

Let Them Come.

[Willem Dafoe]

A mountain of jump scares with thrillers like Scream 6 and A Quiet Place Part 2 and A Mountain of smiles with family favorites like sonic the Hedgehog 2. And if.

[Stephen Colbert]

What if I told you imaginary friends are real.

[Willem Dafoe]

Discover something new every week. A mountain of movies awaits on Paramount. Now streaming.