The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert: Episode featuring Edward Norton | "Wreck The Halls"

Release Date: December 20, 2024

Introduction

In the festive episode titled "Wreck The Halls," Stephen Colbert delivers his characteristic blend of humor and insightful commentary, seamlessly transitioning from a spirited holiday monologue to an in-depth interview with acclaimed actor Edward Norton. This episode masterfully balances topical humor with thoughtful discussions on art, cultural legacy, and the human experience.

Holiday Monologue: Navigating the Season's Challenges

Government Shutdown Fears

Stephen opens the episode amidst the looming threat of a government shutdown. He humorously critiques the political maneuvering behind the scenes:

“Speaker Mike Johnson had painstakingly negotiated a compromise with the Democrats to fund the government through March. But then that was all upended at the last minute by Elon Musk, who tweeted at 4:15am yesterday, this bill should not pass.” [02:00]

Colbert satirizes Elon Musk's influence, likening his actions to the founders' dismay:

“We the people obey rich boy. Trump didn't weigh in for a few hours, but when he did, it was just to echo what Musk had already said.” [03:15]

He further underscores the potential impact of a shutdown on everyday Americans, blending concern with his signature wit:

“In previous shutdowns, inspection of chemical and water treatment plants halted, as did routine food safety inspections. But you have nothing to worry about unless you're one of those rare people who needs food or water.” [04:00]

Matt Gaetz Ethics Report

Transitioning to political scandals, Stephen addresses the unfolding situation with Matt Gaetz:

“House ethics committee investigated Gaetz and reportedly found evidence of, among other things, illicit drug use and sex trafficking.” [04:40]

He humorously anticipates the delayed release of the ethics report:

“House voted not to release the report. But we just found out yesterday that they held another vote in Seattle. And in the second one, they voted to release the Matt Gaetz ethics report.” [05:19]

Bird Flu Concerns

Shifting to public health, Colbert discusses the first severe human case of bird flu, balancing factual information with light-hearted commentary:

“Officials stress that the risk to the general public is low. The real danger is for people who work with birds, poultry or cows, or have recreational exposure to them.” [05:20]

He quips about the implications for recreational activities:

“No recreational contact. Damn, that really throws a wrench in my all goose pickleball league.” [06:00]

Charlotte Hornets' Holiday Skit Controversy

Addressing sports and entertainment, Colbert highlights the Charlotte Hornets' controversial holiday skit:

“The Charlotte Hornets apologized for giving a PlayStation 5 to a 13-year-old fan in an on-court skit. Only to take it from him once the cameras stop rolling.” [07:00]

He playfully mocks the situation, emphasizing the fan’s retention of a consolation prize:

“ Y'all are playing live to the camera. This is not a pre-recording. Everything you guys do, you're really telling.” [24:00]

International Christmas Traditions

Embracing the holiday spirit, Stephen explores various Christmas traditions worldwide, infusing humor with cultural observations:

• Iceland's Yule Cat:

  “Twas the night before Christmas and outside the house, a big cat ate Helga. She should have worn her new blouse.” [09:00]

• Italy's Befana:

  “Children wait for presents from a gift-giving crone named Befana, a broomstick-riding witch.” [09:30]

• Catalonia's Pooping Log:

  “Kids celebrate Christmas with the pooping log, a painted wooden log that children beat with sticks and sing traditional songs to make it poop gifts.” [09:50]

• Wales' Mariluid Tradition:

  “They celebrate with a centuries-old tradition called the Mariluid, a horse skull dressed up with ribbons and mounted on a pole.” [10:00]

Colbert humorously contrasts these traditions with American practices, highlighting the uniqueness and sometimes bizarre nature of global celebrations.

Interview with Edward Norton: Exploring "A Complete Unknown"

Introduction to "A Complete Unknown"

Stephen warmly welcomes Edward Norton, praising his illustrious career and delving into his latest project, "A Complete Unknown." Norton discusses his portrayal of Bob Dylan and the film's deeper themes:

“A Complete Unknown is beautiful. Incredibly moving. A great reminder of the power of art, artist artistry.” [12:21]

Deep Dive into Artistic Legacy

Norton elaborates on the film's exploration of artistic dedication and legacy, reflecting on the influence of Pete Seeger and Bob Dylan:

“Pete Seeger... he was like the Druid. He was like... Folk Gandalf.” [16:19]

Colbert interjects with humor, enhancing the conversational flow:

“He was folk Gandalf. And Dylan kind of was like Frodo given the ring of power and sent toward Mordor.” [16:54]

Generational Connectedness and AI

The conversation shifts to the impact of technology on human connections and artistry. Norton emphasizes the irreplaceable nature of human creativity:

“I think it’s really worth immersing back in this world and seeing when people weren't distracted by all that stuff... you get something totally different.” [18:41]

Colbert echoes this sentiment, expressing hope that AI advancements will lead to a greater appreciation for live, human-driven art:

“Because so many things can be generated through AI and AI, however beautiful it might generate, it's not a human experience.” [18:42]

Cultural Reflections Through Music

Norton and Colbert delve into the cultural significance of Dylan's music, contrasting the romanticism of younger songs with the contemplative nature of older works like "Mr. Tambourine Man":

“It’s about wanting to be present in your own life, you know. It’s about wanting to be available to what's happening and to enjoy real life.” [19:22]

Colbert further connects this to the authenticity in live performances versus AI-generated content:

“He pours off a human experience. AI is not going to write Bob Dylan's songs.” [19:24]

Influence of Bruce Springsteen

In a poignant moment, Norton attributes the mentorship role in his life to Bruce Springsteen, equating Springsteen's impact to Pete Seeger's legacy:

“Someone who had that role in my life was Bruce Springsteen. He took up the torch from Pete Seeger in terms of... singing the song of working people, the American Troubadour.” [20:36]

Colbert and Norton celebrate Springsteen's contributions, intertwining personal admiration with cultural impact:

“We have to take a quick break. We'll be right back with more Edward Norton, everybody.” [26:09]

Final Reflections and Live Performance

As the interview concludes, Norton shares a heartfelt moment about performing live on the show, emphasizing the unique magic of real-time interaction:

“There's nothing like it. There's nothing like it. There's a reciprocal energy we're getting from each other here right now even.” [24:05]

Colbert and Norton reflect on the ephemeral yet profound nature of live performances, reinforcing the episode's overarching theme of valuing genuine human connections in an increasingly digital world.

Conclusion

This episode of "The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert" adeptly combines timely humor with meaningful discourse. Stephen Colbert's monologue offers a humorous yet insightful take on current events, setting the stage for a deep and reflective conversation with Edward Norton. Norton's exploration of artistic legacy, coupled with his admiration for cultural icons like Pete Seeger and Bruce Springsteen, provides listeners with a rich understanding of the enduring power of human creativity. The episode ultimately serves as a heartfelt reminder of the importance of maintaining authentic human connections in an age dominated by technology.

Notable Quotes

• “Classification by Colbert on Elon Musk's tweet influencing the government shutdown.” [02:00]

• “Edward Norton on the profound impact of Pete Seeger: ‘he was like the Druid. He was like... Folk Gandalf.’” [16:19]

• “Stephen Colbert on AI vs. human artistry: ‘AI is not going to write Bob Dylan's songs.’” [19:24]

• “Edward Norton reflecting on live performance: ‘There's a reciprocal energy we're getting from each other here right now even.’” [24:05]

Final Thoughts

"Wreck The Halls" stands out as a quintessential episode, blending Stephen Colbert's sharp comedic prowess with Edward Norton's thoughtful introspection. The episode not only entertains but also invites listeners to ponder the intricate balance between tradition and innovation, humor and seriousness, highlighting the timeless relevance of genuine human interaction and artistic expression.