Christine Baranksi (Extended) | Papal Watching

Summary

The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert Episode: Christine Baranski (Extended) | Papal Watching Release Date: May 8, 2025

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Introduction

In this episode of The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert, host Stephen Colbert delivers his signature blend of humor and insightful commentary, seamlessly blending current events with engaging conversations. The episode, titled "Christine Baranski (Extended) | Papal Watching," features an extended interview with the Emmy and two-time Tony Award-winning actress Christine Baranski, alongside a comedic monologue focused on the ongoing Papal Conclave.

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Monologue: Papal Conclave and Cardinal Camaraderie

Timestamp: [01:36] – [14:57]

Stephen Colbert opens the episode with a humorous take on the current Papal Conclave in Vatican City. He playfully speculates about the selection of the new Pope, weighing the chances of a seasoned frontrunner against a surprise newcomer like "Cardinal Mikey Madsen." Colbert lightens the gravity of the conclave with jokes about the cardinals’ lunch decisions:

"For today we are deciding on what do we have for lunch. Some of us are gluten free, so we can only get a pizza from the Good Place. Or maybe we order sushi. No, sushi has soy sauce. Soy sauce got the gluten. Okay, maybe we just go to Sweet Greens."
—Stephen Colbert [02:47]

He continues to satirize the conclave process, comparing the cardinals' seclusion and decision-making to mundane choices, all while maintaining a lively and engaging tone. Colbert humorously describes the anticipation around the famous Vatican chimney smoke signal, which traditionally indicates the selection of a new Pope. When black smoke is observed, signaling no consensus, he quips about his newfound addiction to watching the chimney:

"And I have to say, and I'm sure this will never been taken out of context in any way, I am addicted to the pipe now."
—Stephen Colbert [04:26]

Colbert also imagines the cardinals coping without modern technology, mocking the idea that they might engage in "raw dogging" without access to cell phones:

"Do they call it raw dogging, as the youth say. Those cardinals are going to take this conclave to pound town and spend the next several days..."
—Stephen Colbert [04:29]

He introduces fictional contenders like Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle and Cardinal Joseph Tobin with his characteristic wit, portraying their personalities and potential influences humorously. The monologue culminates with Colbert's ongoing observation of the Vatican chimney, keeping listeners entertained as the conclave continues:

"Black smoke. Black smoke. Angelo's Italian has started a pepperoni pizza. White smoke will mean calzone."
—Stephen Colbert [04:29]

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Interview: Christine Baranski on Her Career and Personal Milestones

Timestamp: [14:59] – [32:04]

After a break filled with advertisements, Stephen Colbert welcomes his guest, Christine Baranski, to the show. The conversation begins with warm greetings and compliments on Baranski's spring attire, transitioning naturally into discussions about her career and personal experiences.

Career Reflections and Spring Cleaning

Baranski shares insights into her extensive career, reminiscing about her first play in Buffalo, New York, and her involvement in significant performances like the Kennedy Center Honors. She recounts a poignant memory:

"It was the year I did the Kennedy center honors and I sang in honor of Lauren Bacall. And it was the year Bruce Springsteen sang in honor of Bob Dylan."
—Christine Baranski [17:41]

This nostalgic moment highlights her long-standing presence in the acting world, emphasizing her dedication and passion for the craft.

Birthday Celebrations and Personal Anecdotes

The conversation shifts to personal milestones as Baranski discusses her recent birthday celebrations. She describes attending a fundraiser for United Way Women in Denver, highlighting the empowering atmosphere:

"I have to fly to Denver and do a fundraiser for United Way Women in Denver. It was 1,200 women in a very large ballroom... and they all sang to me."
—Christine Baranski [19:30]

Baranski humorously narrates her attempt to find a quiet dinner spot post-fundraiser, culminating in an unexpectedly thoughtful gesture from the restaurant:

"They come out with a mousse cake, with a candle, just like, don't let people see that."
—Christine Baranski [20:25]

Peak Career Moments and Collaborations

Reflecting on her most memorable birthdays, Baranski recounts turning 50 at the Met Ball while performing in Sweeney Todd at the Kennedy Center. She shares a touching encounter with composer Stephen Sondheim:

"Steve Sondheim was coming to see our first run through, which is terrifying... He never misses a 50th birthday. He sat there for... we sat there till one in the morning, drinking wine."
—Christine Baranski [20:29]

This story underscores the deep professional relationships Baranski has cultivated and her admiration for influential figures in the arts.

The Gilded Age: Behind the Scenes

Baranski delves into her role in The Gilded Age, praising the show's cast and the collaborative environment reminiscent of a theater repertory company. She highlights the meticulous attention to period-specific details and the camaraderie among her peers:

"We have the great Audra McDonald. We have Kelly, Kelli O'Hara. We have Donna Murphy. We have Nathan Lane."
—Christine Baranski [23:41]

She elaborates on the disciplined nature of portraying 1880s New York, likening the set etiquette to choreography:

"It's like choreography. It is."
—Christine Baranski [23:14]

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Behind-the-Scenes Insights and Project Choices

Baranski offers a glimpse into her decision-making process for selecting projects, emphasizing her love for diverse locations and challenging roles. She discusses her involvement in Nine Perfect Strangers, filmed in the Austrian Alps, and her passion for music and opera:

"The Munich Orchestra and the Munich Opera, I was there constantly."
—Christine Baranski [26:15]

Her enthusiasm for the picturesque settings and the depth they add to her performances is evident as she describes her experiences traveling through Vienna, Salzburg, and Budapest for filming.

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Personal Preferences and Future Projects

In a lighthearted exchange, Colbert inquires about Baranski’s interest in wellness therapies and relaxation, leading to a humorous discussion about her preferences:

"I just want a strong man with really great hands massaging me. And then... leave me alone."
—Christine Baranski [27:11]

Baranski expresses her desire for simple, genuine relaxation over trendy wellness trends, adding a relatable and human touch to the conversation.

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Conclusion: Upcoming Projects and Final Thoughts

As the interview wraps up, Colbert highlights Baranski’s upcoming projects, including the return of The Gilded Age for its third season and her continued role in Nine Perfect Strangers. Baranski emphasizes her commitment to storytelling and the collaborative spirit of working with talented colleagues:

"It's a great season and, you know, beautiful locations and, you know, troubled, wounded people in a beautiful location. What more do you want?"
—Christine Baranski [26:52]

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Closing Remarks

Stephen Colbert thanks Christine Baranski for her time and contributions to the arts, reinforcing her status as "America's treasure." The episode concludes with promotional segments for upcoming shows and products, maintaining the show's characteristic blend of entertainment and advertisement.

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Notable Quotes

• Stephen Colbert on the Papal Conclave:
  "Black smoke. Black smoke. Angelo's Italian has started a pepperoni pizza. White smoke will mean calzone."
  —[04:29]

• Christine Baranski on Her First Play:
  "It was the year I did the Kennedy center honors and I sang in honor of Lauren Bacall. And it was the year Bruce Springsteen sang in honor of Bob Dylan."
  —[17:41]

• Christine Baranski on the Met Ball Birthday:
  "Steve Sondheim was coming to see our first run through, which is terrifying... He never misses a 50th birthday."
  —[20:29]

• Christine Baranski on The Gilded Age Cast:
  "We have the great Audra McDonald. We have Kelly, Kelli O'Hara. We have Donna Murphy. We have Nathan Lane."
  —[23:41]

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Final Thoughts

This episode masterfully balances topical humor with heartfelt conversation, offering listeners both laughs and meaningful insights into the life and career of Christine Baranski. Stephen Colbert's adept hosting ensures a memorable and engaging experience, making it a valuable listen for both fans of the show and those unfamiliar with its dynamic content.

Transcript

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[Stephen Colbert]

Welcome to the Late show everybody. I'm your host, Stephen Colbert. Folks, it is a big day.

[Audience Member]

Wow.

[Advertiser]

Yeah. Come on.

[Stephen Colbert]

I tell you, with a reaction like that, I could say that over and over again. Folks, it's a big day for Catholics and lovers of fancy red capes because the Conclave to select a new Pope has officially begun over in Vatican City. Who's it going to be? A frontrunner who's been around for decades or a surprise newcomer like Cardinal Mikey Madsen? The Conclave began this morning at 10:00am Roman time, but it's always Pope o' clock somewhere. First the cardinals attended a special Mass and in his homily, the cardinal officiating reminded the Conclave that they're about to make the choice of an exceptional importance. For today we are deciding on what do we have for lunch. Some of us are gluten free, so we can only get a pizza from the Good Place. Or maybe we order a sushi. No, sushi has soy sauce. Soy sauce got the gluten. Okay, maybe we just go to Sweet Greens.

[Audience Member]

Boo.

[Stephen Colbert]

Okay, okay. After that, the cardinals were sequestered. Here they are marching and chanting as they walk into the Sistine Chapel. So beautiful, so solemn. But can we pick up the pace, fellas? You got a lot of conclaving to do. Maybe you'd move faster if we switch up the track.

[Audience Member]

Pack it up, pack it in.

[Advertiser]

Let me begin packing.

[Stephen Colbert]

The wind down, the better I was. Better now, after that march there, there was this dramatic closing of the Vatican doors, protected, as always, by killer clowns. Now, my friends, we wait while every cable news channel is laser focused on the world's most important roof tube. That there on screen, the roof tube. That is the chimney out of which traditionally white or black smoke emerges, signaling whether we have a new Pope. And I've been watching this all day, 24 hours, 24. 7. I couldn't tear myself away. And I have to say, and I'm sure this will never been taken out of context in any way, I am addicted to the pipe now. Now, we knew the Conclave would only hold one vote. Today, around 9:00pm Catholic Standard Time, we got black smoke from the roof tube indicating the cardinals had not reached a consensus. In other words, hope of a Pope.

[Advertiser]

Nope.

[Stephen Colbert]

We don't know how long the Conclave will continue. But in that spirit, the Late show has put a camera on the roof of the Ed Sullivan Theater to look at our own chimney. That black. Black smoke. Black smoke. Angelo's Italian has started a pepperoni pizza. White smoke will mean calzone. Now, while they're waiting for the sacred air pollution, the media has got a whole lot of time to fill, including on CBS News, where they discussed how the cardinals will fare without their cell phones. The one thing we know they're not doing is checking Instagram because their devices have all been. I believe the kids call it raw dogging. Do they? Do they call that Tony? I believe they call it raw dogging, as the youth say. Those cardinals are going to take this conclave to pound town and spend the next several days. And I'm paraphrasing my teen Vatican sources, they're going to be jacking it, whacking it, and technologically barebacking it. Here's how it works. Each cardinal writes their pick for pope on a ballot with El ligo insumum pontificem I elect a supreme Pontiff printed at the top of the piece of paper. Then they fold the card and they drop it into a chalice, which, if I'm remembering correctly, then Spits out the names of the three Cardinals who will compete in the Tri Wizard Tournament. No one knows who the Cardinals are going to pick. All very secret. But one of the favorites is former Archbishop of Manila and dad sitting in one of those Machage chairs at the mall, Luis Antonio Tagle. Tagle is a Gen Z favorite in part because he just loves to sing. In fact, some have called him a karaoke priest, which means he always picks a really good homily, but then realizes halfway through, he only knows the chorus. Jam. Let's give him a taste of Tagle's pipes. Sharing all the world. Not bad. Not bad, not bad.

[Advertiser]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

It's a crowd favorite. He's a crowd favorite. Big response from the people. What do you say, judges?

[Advertiser]

It's a no for me, dog.

[Stephen Colbert]

Wow, he's tough. Really tough. One surprise contender has emerged. Cardinal Joseph Tobin, who is the Archbishop of Newark. We're getting to Jersey Pope, people.

[Audience Member]

Okay.

[Stephen Colbert]

Oh, here we go. Oh, here we go. Okay. Bada bing. Bada bless you. Okay. I'm living on a prayer over here. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Bruce. I'm being told. Is this true? It's time once again to check in with our late show Chimney. It looks like yes. We can confirm we do not yet have a new pizza pie. Okay, now, Tobin and Tagle are part of the most diverse group of Cardinals in the history of the Conclave. We've got cardinals from 71 different countries, including Syria, Nicaragua, Mongolia, India, and Papua New Guinea. Of course, ultimately, it doesn't matter where the new Pope comes from. He can be a young guy from the Philippines or an old guy from Poland. When I do my impression of him.

[Audience Member]

He'S gonna be Italian. Amer Pop.

[Stephen Colbert]

I hope God has a sense of humor. If you think the Conclave is a big deal, just wait until next year's even bigger gathering of Catholics, the World Cup. It is taking place. It is taking place here in America. And yesterday, Donald Trump talked about that. We can't wait to welcome soccer fans.

[Audience Member]

From all over the globe.

[Stephen Colbert]

I don't know if I'm supposed to say soccer or football, because every time I say soccer, I, Barron and Eric say, you're really saying it wrong. It's supposed to be football. In fact, Eric tells me I say a lot of things wrong. He says, dad. It's pronounced I love you. Not. Not. Get out of my sight, thunder gums. Trump used the occasion to announce his pick to lead the World cup task. Rudy Giuliani's son and grown up buzz from Home Alone. Andrew Giuliani. Okay, but if he needed a Giuliani but wanted someone who really knows about soccer, they should have gone with Rudy. I mean, the man can dribble. He's got a terrific flop. Though he does have a problem touching the ball.

[Audience Member]

Hey, let's get up.

[Stephen Colbert]

Hi. Yesterday, the White House also hosted Mark Carney, the new Prime Minister of Canada. This meeting was full of embarrassing moments like this one.

[Audience Member]

What's the top concession you want out of Canada? The top concession you want out of Canada? Concession, yes.

[Stephen Colbert]

Friendship.

[Audience Member]

That's not a concession.

[Stephen Colbert]

Going to be friends with Canada. Regardless of anything, we're going to be friends with Canada. He's been agonizing the entire world, and what he wants is friendship. That's so sad. That's like a robber saying, this is a stick up. Everybody get face down on the floor and say one nice thing about my outfit. Come on. Does this gun make me look fat? Trump also used the meeting for a classic TV tease. We're going to have a very, very big announcement to make, like, as big as it gets. And I won't tell you on what, but it's going to, and it's very positive. Spoken like a man who definitely has not made plans for Mother's Day yet. Kids. Honey, the kids and I planned something really big. Right, kids? It's one of the things you said you wanted that I definitely wrote down and remembered. I'm not going to tell you what, but boy, oh, boy, is it positive. Why don't we say it at the same time? Okay. One, two, three. A humidifi. Or time alone. Or time alone. It's a big day for travelers because as of today, you can't just use a regular driver's license at the airport. Real ID is now required for air travel in America. And having a more secure ID is important because without it, the TSA would never have a picture of your face except for the photo that they take at the security checkpoint to make sure that it matches the face on your id. Even though there's a person whose whole job is to look at your ID and make sure it matches your face. And if you think that's stupid, could you please step over here for additional screening? Could you please? The idea of beefing up our IDs with enhanced security started when Congress passed the Real ID act back in 2005. That's also when they started making passengers remove their shoes and receive pat downs on their humps. Their humps. Their lovely lady lumps. Folks were scrambling to meet today's deadline. All over the country, local DMV offices experienced longer wait times. And we have footage, I'm being told, of the last person in line here today in Manhattan.

[Audience Member]

It's been 84 years.

[Stephen Colbert]

All right, Is this true? Is this true? Is this actually happening? Ladies and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen, I'm told it's time to check in once again with the Ed Sullivan Theater Chimney. Black smoke. Black smoke. And we all know what that means. Habemus Pepperoni. We got a great show for you tonight.

[Audience Member]

Coming up.

[Advertiser]

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[Stephen Colbert]

Hello my friends. Welcome back to the show. My first guest is an Emmy and two time Tony Award winning actor. You know from the Big Bang Theory, the Good Fight and the Gilded Age. Please welcome back to the Late Show, Christine Baranski.

[Audience Member]

Thank you. Very nice. Wow.

[Stephen Colbert]

Hello. Gosh Christine, always a pleasure to see you.

[Audience Member]

Lovely to see you.

[Stephen Colbert]

The Outfit is fantastic for spring.

[Audience Member]

It kind of goes with the blue, right?

[Stephen Colbert]

Exactly. How is spring just breathes air back into our lives. How is spring treating you?

[Audience Member]

Spring has been great. I worked all last year, six months in Europe, and then I went right into the gilded age. I did nine Perfect Strangers, then went right into the gilded age. And when it was over this January, I decided to begin spring cleaning. And I have boxes, about 12 large plastic boxes of memorabilia throughout a career that started. Okay. My first play was in Buffalo, New York. It was an anti war play. I'm talking Vietnam War. And I have memorabilia from back then, from reviews and opening night notes and pictures and programs, but boxes of it. And I've been meaning to do it for years. And I was gonna do it during COVID but I had my grandsons living with me in Connecticut. And you don't get anything done when you have, like three kids in the house. So I finally said, this is going to. This period of time. I am simply going to deep delve into my past, which, if you think 1968 was my first play. That's like. I've done about 65 plays, 30 films. Yeah, I. Okay. Yeah, I've been around, so. But there were things that I knew were in this box, in these boxes that I thought, damn, I wonder, is it still there? There was this picture, there was this note. And I did find a lot of beautiful written notes from, like, Steve Sondheim, Mike Nichols, and I had them framed. But there was one picture. I thought, damn, I wonder if I can find it. It's probably been lost. But it was the year I did the Kennedy center honors and I sang in honor of Lauren Bacall. And it was the year Bruce Springsteen sang in honor of Bob Dylan.

[Stephen Colbert]

Is this it?

[Audience Member]

And I found the picture, and it was Bruce and I backstage, and I thought, I'm in an orange satin gown with about a million dollars worth of bling on. And he's like, in a T shirt.

[Stephen Colbert]

It looks nice to be Christine Baran.

[Audience Member]

Yeah, that was good. That was good to be me that night. Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Your birthday was last Friday. Happy birthday. Sorry I missed that.

[Audience Member]

And yours is coming up.

[Stephen Colbert]

It is coming up.

[Audience Member]

So we're Taureans.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah, exactly. We are Taureans. Exactly. The bull don't mess with you. Get the horns. How did you celebrate?

[Audience Member]

I was a little grumpy because I had to sort of work. I had to fly to Denver and do a fundraiser for United Way Women in Denver. And it's a wonderful organization. It's called Mile High United way. And it's, you know, for single moms and childcare and all the things that women need. And it was 1200 women in a very large ballroom. And then I thought, you know, I'm just gonna mention that it's my birthday. You know, it's really nice to be here because here I am with these passionate, you know, well informed women. And the theme is being unapologetic. And. And it's nice to be with you all. And they all sang to me. So 1,200 unapologetic women sang. And then I flew home that night. But then it was like, I got to my apartment at. This is like 9:30, 10 o' clock at night. You know how you feel when you've flown across. But, oh, God, I still have just a few more hours of my birthday. I just don't want to go to bed yet. And I, you know, I just. So I went across the street where there's this rather chic little French watering hole. And I showed up rather pathetically. Can you. Can you feed me? Would you just feed me like, a salad? And can I have a glass of wine? It's my birthday. And they thought, oh, yes, come in. And it was still crowded. They found me a seat and I'm. I said, please put me out of the way somewhere. You know, put me somewhere in a corner. I'm having my salad and my little glass of wine, thinking, I hope this doesn't look too pathetic. And then they come out with a mousse cake, with a candle, just like, don't let people see that.

[Stephen Colbert]

The saddest Christine Baranski picture of all time. Nobody loves me. You had a lovely time with the women. That seemed a little sad. What's the best. What's the best birthday you've ever had?

[Audience Member]

Oh, I've had a couple. I turned 70 at the Met Ball a few years ago. Oh, is that what my best birthday was? I was doing Sweeney Todd at the Kennedy center, and it was my birthday. I turned 50 and we had a run through. It was a big day. Steve Sondheim was coming to see our first run through, which is terrifying. If you know Steve Sondheim or respect him as everybody does, you think, oh, my God, it's his first time seeing a run through. Anyway, we did it and it went well, but some of my colleagues said, it's your birthday. We're gonna take you out to this fish restaurant. So it was about, I don't know, five of us just dining. And who comes in but Stephen Sondheim after he'd given notes to the director, he walked and he said, I never miss a 50th birthday. And he sat there for. We must have sat there till, I don't know, one in the morning, drinking wine. And he just talked about west side Story and Gypsy and his early years. And then I remember walking arm in arm back to our hotel on a beautiful spring night, and I thought, well, now, that's the way to turn 50.

[Stephen Colbert]

Your show. Your show, the Gilded Age now comes back for season three in June. What do you like about it? Takes place in the 1880s, right?

[Audience Member]

Oh, I'm glad you like the Gilded Age. I think it's going to be a fenty. Fantastic third season. It is a fantastic third season. I think the audiences now are invested in the characters, and it's so beautifully done.

[Stephen Colbert]

What do you love about being in 1880s New York other than, obviously, the smell?

[Audience Member]

It was a time where there were very strict codes of conduct and very strict, you know, people behaved well. I mean, it's not like there wasn't corruption and there was corruption and there was probably lots of infidelity and people were still behaving badly, but at least, you know, they felt bad about it. I don't even know if they did, but there were good manners. There was a definite strict etiquette at that time that I find very. It's wonderful to enter that world. And even when we do scenes in the dining room, we are told exactly where to place the fork and that a teaspoon. Exact. You know, Julian Fellows will actually say that teaspoon is in the wrong place on the cup. And I find it.

[Stephen Colbert]

It's like choreography. It is.

[Audience Member]

Or like living dressage. It's like you're a dressage horse. And so I like.

[Stephen Colbert]

I picture you in the saddle, but go ahead.

[Audience Member]

It's wonderful to enter just another way of being in the world and kind of refreshing in our world, which is, you know, so kind of like. It's all over the place, like the Wild West. This is very proper.

[Stephen Colbert]

A lot of the cast are theater people.

[Audience Member]

Does that sounds like. Oh, my gosh. It's like a theater repertory company. We have the great Audra McDonald. We have Kelly, Kelli O' Hara. We have Donna Murphy. We have Nathan Lane. And then we have a revolving door on. They're all theater actors, well trained, and we've all worked together off Broadway, Broadway play readings. So there's a real feeling of camaraderie.

[Stephen Colbert]

Are you tempted to burst into song at any time?

[Audience Member]

We often do yeah, no, we often do. But we were thinking, how can we do a musical? You know, it could only be a dream sequence where maybe suddenly all these gilded age people get a little tipsy at Christmas. They did that on Downton Abbey. Remember? They did a. Everybody sang at Christmas around the church.

[Stephen Colbert]

I'm not up on my Downton Abbey.

[Audience Member]

I'm sorry. All right. Well, they did, but this could be, you know, it's a waste of talent for all those fantastic Broadway divas not to, you know, be able to use their pipes.

[Stephen Colbert]

Well, now you're starring in the second season also of Nine Perfect Strangers.

[Audience Member]

That's where.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah, that's filmed in the Austrian Alps. Do you pick your projects based upon the location? Because.

[Audience Member]

Yes. I sat down, I said, I think it's time I did six months in the Austrian Alps. And I called my agent and said, is there anything shooting there now? You know, no, actually, people think actors just have all these infinite choices. I got a call from my agent, and I happened to be in Italy at the time on a vacation. And he told me three things. He said, nicole Kidman, Nine Perfect Strangers Then he told me actors that they were going out to, all of them fabulous actors. And then he said, shooting in Munich and in the Austrian Alps. And I said, fine. I didn't need a script. And I didn't get a script because the very next day was the actors strike began. And then that was it. I couldn't get a script. There was no discussion about money. There was no saying, well, did so and so accept the job. The business just shut down. But when the strike ended, we went, boom, right into production in early January. And so I was in Munich at the soundstages in Munich, which I loved being in Munich because I'm an opera lover and a music lover. So the Munich Orchestra and the Munich Opera, I was there constantly.

[Stephen Colbert]

Did you get down to Vienna?

[Audience Member]

I was three times in Vienna, three times in Salzburg. I even took a train to Budapest. Have you ever been to Budapest?

[Stephen Colbert]

No, but I am an honorary Hungarian citizen.

[Audience Member]

Why haven't you been to Hungary? Why haven't you been to Budapest?

[Stephen Colbert]

I'm a busy man. I work every.

[Audience Member]

I'm a busy girl. And I got to Krakow, and I'm.

[Stephen Colbert]

Polish, but I'm here. They don't send me to Austria to do the Late Show.

[Audience Member]

Well, anyway, it was a joyous job. I mean, it's a great. It's a great season and, you know, beautiful locations and, you know, troubled, wounded people in a beautiful location. What more do you want?

[Stephen Colbert]

I Want people doing, like, wellness therapy in a beautiful location with, like, psychedelics.

[Audience Member]

Right.

[Stephen Colbert]

Does that appeal to you?

[Audience Member]

No. As a spa experience? No. I just want a strong man with really great hands massaging me. And then.

[Stephen Colbert]

You don't need the psilocybin?

[Audience Member]

No, I don't need psilocybin. I don't need new age wellness. I just want some massages and maybe a facial and, like, leave me alone. And I don't want to talk to anybody. That's my idea.

[Stephen Colbert]

But that's your isolation chamber. We have a quick break. We'll be right back with more. Christine Baranski, everybody.

[Audience Member]

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[Stephen Colbert]

No matter what.

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[Stephen Colbert]

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[Stephen Colbert]

Hey, everybody. We're back with America's treasure, Christine Baranski. You're a treasure.

[Audience Member]

I'll take that.

[Stephen Colbert]

Our guest tonight, right after you. Our next guest tonight is Stellan Skarsgrd. And obviously you famously appeared in the smash hit with him. Mamma mia. There he is. What I love is there he is back there looking so uncomfortable in his disco outfit.

[Audience Member]

I don't think he'll mind my saying, but Stellan, all three actors, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, and Stellan, they just hated having to do the dance stuff. I mean, Pierce was game. He was very, you know, he would skip down the hill multiple times doing Dancing Queen.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yes.

[Audience Member]

This was James Bond. And he's. You can dance and I think Colin Firth meant all of his moves ironically. He just had a kind of. Kind of like. Well, I'll indicate. Sort of indicate that I'm. But Stellan hated it. And we finally went down the hill in Dancing Queen and landed on the dock. And then it was the end of the number. And, you know, the camera would move around and it usually would avoid Stellan. But then finally, old Parker, this wonderful dear director, he sits. Stellan. Okay, it's time for your close up. You have got to do the moves now. You have simply got to do the moves. And he let out with a string of expletives. It's as though Ol had asked him to do Arabic poetry while jumping rope. It's like, I can't do that. You know, he was.

[Stephen Colbert]

Did he do it?

[Audience Member]

He did. He did it. He did it. But it was so. It was so funny. I love Stellan. I mean, he's just the greatest. He's a wonderful actor, and he was a great colleague.

[Stephen Colbert]

Well, when he comes out here, should I ask him to dance? I can't let.

[Audience Member]

Ask him to do some of the dance moves from Mamma Mia.

[Stephen Colbert]

I will. I can't let you go without asking about this. You mentioned the Met Gala.

[Audience Member]

Oh, yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

There's a famous photo of you from Met Gala a few years ago, and we just had one recently. Obviously, this is a great photo. It was a night that Elon Musk was there and you were there. And I just want to celebrate the way you're looking at him in this photo. Look at that. That's lazy. That's a laser straight. That was.

[Audience Member]

I did not know a camera was on me. I didn't know. But I want it on a billboard. Get T shirts made. I want T shirts made.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yes.

[Audience Member]

The good fight, the good versus evil. Anyway, don't get me started.

[Stephen Colbert]

All right. So lovely to see you again.

[Audience Member]

Oh, it's wonderful for being here.

[Stephen Colbert]

Nine Perfect Strangers is on Hulu May 21st. Christine Baranski, 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.

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[Audience Member]

Now streaming when.

[Stephen Colbert]

Everything'S on the line, real heroes rise to the occasion.

[Audience Member]

TV's hottest show is Fire Country.

[Stephen Colbert]

We're firefighters. We're gonna find a way to get you out of here. We take the hints together.

[Advertiser]

We're on the same team.

[Stephen Colbert]

I'm right here with you no matter what.

[Audience Member]

I would never leave you hanging in the deep end. This place is a way of giving you new family.

[Stephen Colbert]

Fire Country.

[Audience Member]

All episodes now streaming on Paramount plus.