Summary of "Cristin Milioti | 'The Penguin'" Episode of The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert

Release Date: June 9, 2025

Introduction to the Episode

In this engaging episode of The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert, host Stephen Colbert welcomes Grammy Award-winning actress Cristin Milioti. Known for her standout roles in "How I Met Your Mother," "The Wolf of Wall Street," and most recently, the HBO limited series "The Penguin," Milioti brings a wealth of experience and charisma to the conversation.

Guest Introduction and Initial Banter

The episode begins with Stephen’s characteristic warm welcome as he introduces Cristin Milioti.

[02:10] Stephen Colbert: "Welcome back everybody. Folks, my next guest tonight is a Grammy Award-winning actress you know from How I Met Your Mother, the Wolf of Wall Street, and Palm Springs. She now stars in the HBO limited series 'The Penguin.' Please welcome to the Late Show Cristin Milioti."

Cristin responds graciously, and the two engage in light-hearted banter about Cristin's stylish appearance and Stephen’s own fashion choices.

[02:37] Cristin Milioti: "So nice to meet you and I."
[02:38] Stephen Colbert: "Just want to say, that is, so few of our guests show up in high fashion."
[02:41] Cristin Milioti: "Thank you. Looks fantastic."

Career Highlights and Grammy Achievement

Stephen delves into Cristin's impressive career, highlighting her Grammy win. Cristin shares her feelings about the honor, despite not being able to attend the ceremony due to her commitments to a live performance.

[03:36] Cristin Milioti: "I cried a lot in that studio. Not in a bad way just because, like, you know, you're getting sure."
[03:52] Cristin Milioti: "Yes, for once. Yes, I do have a Grammy and it's very, it was a very huge honor. I didn't get to go, though. Not that that cancels it out."

Stephen expresses admiration and curiosity about her Grammy-winning performance.

[04:07] Cristin Milioti: "Yeah. That's how much we love the theater. You went. Good for you."

Early Acting Experiences and Personal Anecdotes

The conversation shifts to Cristin's early passion for acting and performing. She reminisces about her childhood involvement in school plays and summer camps, which fueled her desire to pursue acting professionally.

[05:32] Cristin Milioti: "I always loved movies so much, I wanted to climb inside them. They were like a song. Like when you want to climb, you want to climb inside a song, right?"
[06:00] Cristin Milioti: "Rockadoodle itself. It's pretty self-explanatory."

Cristin shares a memorable story from summer camp where she was cast as the "nerd girl" in a musical, highlighting her enthusiasm and dedication even as a child.

[07:16] Cristin Milioti: "On purpose, on purpose was that I was like, ah."

Discussion About "The Penguin"

A significant portion of the interview focuses on Cristin's role in HBO's "The Penguin." She discusses her character, Sophia Falcone, the daughter of a mob leader, and delves into the complexities of portraying a villainous figure in the Batman universe.

[07:35] Stephen Colbert: "Well, now you're starring opposite Colin Farrell in the HBO limited series 'The Penguin.' You play Sophia Falcone."
[07:45] Cristin Milioti: "Oh, my God. I mean, she's... I think, an incredible villain. She's the daughter of a mob boss, and she, without giving anything away, has a real bone to pick."

Cristin gives insight into her character's motivations and the depth she brings to Sophia Falcone.

[08:03] Cristin Milioti: "I trusted you. I loved you. And yet not one of you tried to help me, except for my brother, the man you all flew in to mourn. And, you know, the real thorn in my side is that, unlike everyone here, I was innocent."
[08:52] Cristin Milioti: "I had to."
[09:01] Cristin Milioti: "Yeah."

Behind-the-Scenes Insights and Favorite Moments

Cristin shares her favorite aspects of working on "The Penguin," including her experience wearing the character's distinctive costume—a fluorescent yellow ball gown paired with a gas mask and a gun. She expresses her excitement and joy in embodying a character she admired from childhood.

[09:06] Cristin Milioti: "I mean, can you... Especially, like, when you are a fan of anything with villains or, like, comic books or Batman or, you know, when they put that on me, to know that I was in this, like, fluorescent yellow ball gown with a gas mask and a gun and that makeup, like, I knew I was like a kid at Christmas."
[09:24] Cristin Milioti: "If that kid loves Christmas. Yeah."
[09:27] Cristin Milioti: "And guns. Yeah. I loved it."

Stephen appreciates her enthusiasm and the unique elements she brings to the role.

[09:30] Stephen Colbert: "It's so lovely to meet you. Thank you for being here."
[09:33] Cristin Milioti: "Thank you."

Closing Remarks

The episode wraps up with Cristin Milioti promoting "The Penguin," now available on Max, and Stephen invites listeners to explore more content on The Late Show YouTube channel.

[09:33] Stephen Colbert: "The Penguin is available now on Max. Cristin Milioti, everybody. Thank you for listening to the Late Show Pod show with Stephen Colbert."

Key Takeaways

• Cristin Milioti's Versatile Career: From television sitcoms to acclaimed films and now a significant role in "The Penguin," Cristin showcases her range as an actress.

• Emotional Depth: Cristin shares the emotional journey of winning a Grammy and the vulnerabilities involved in her performances.

• Passion for Acting: Her early love for acting and storytelling underscores her dedication to her craft.

• Unique Role in "The Penguin": Portraying Sophia Falcone allows Cristin to explore complex villainous traits, blending her love for comic books with professional acting.

Notable Quotes

• On Acting Passion:
  [06:35] Cristin Milioti: "I always loved movies so much, I wanted to climb inside them."

• On Grammy Achievement:
  [03:51] Stephen Colbert: "Yes, for once. Is it true you won your Grammy for..."
  [03:52] Cristin Milioti: "Yes, for once. Yes, I do have a Grammy and it's very, it was a very huge honor."

• On Her Role in "The Penguin":
  [07:45] Cristin Milioti: "I think she's an incredible villain. She's the daughter of a mob boss, and she, without giving anything away, has a real bone to pick."

• On Costume and Character:
  [09:06] Cristin Milioti: "I was in this, like, fluorescent yellow ball gown with a gas mask and a gun and that makeup, like, I knew I was like a kid at Christmas."

This episode provides listeners with an intimate look into Cristin Milioti's professional journey, her emotional experiences in acting, and her excitement about her role in "The Penguin." Through candid conversations and personal anecdotes, Stephen Colbert and Cristin offer valuable insights into the world of acting and character development.