The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert

Episode Title: Intro Rewind: Father Guido Sarducci
Date: August 31, 2025
Host: Stephen Colbert
Producer: Becca
Guest (Character): Father Guido Sarducci (Don Novello)

Episode Overview

This episode of The Late Show Pod Show features Stephen Colbert and producer Becca revisiting the memorable Late Show appearance of Father Guido Sarducci, the iconic, chain-smoking Vatican gossip columnist brought to life by Don Novello. They reflect on Novello's comedy legacy, the context of the appearance (a papal Conclave leading to the election of the first-ever American Pope), and the on-air improvisation that made the segment unique. Listeners are treated to behind-the-scenes stories, amusing banter, and of course, the irreverent, deadpan humor of Father Guido himself.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Behind the Scenes: How the Segment Came Together

[02:07 – 03:35]

• Podcast Purpose: While The Late Show is on break, Stephen and Becca review notable past segments and provide backstage commentary.
• Stephen’s Enthusiasm: Stephen expresses genuine excitement about these recaps:

  “This is my highlight. I just do the show so we can have these things together...” (02:22, Stephen Colbert)

• Content Selection: This week focuses on Father Guido Sarducci, a character celebrated for his satirical take on Catholic life and pop culture.
• Don Novello's Comedy Roots: Stephen recounts Novello’s history with the Smothers Brothers writing staff, rubbing comedic shoulders with the likes of Steve Martin, Rob Reiner, and "Super Dave" Osborne.

2. The Legacy of Don Novello and The Laszlo Letters

[05:44 – 07:02]

• Sarducci’s TV Journey: Originally appearing on SNL, Sarducci became a staple of American satire.
• The Laszlo Letters: Novello’s satirical letter-writing project deeply influenced Stephen’s own Colbert Report persona:

  "The Laszlo Letters...highly influential to my character on the Colbert Report. If you read them, you go, 'Oh, I see what Stephen stole.'" (06:39, Stephen Colbert)

3. The Conclave and the First American Pope

[07:48 – 10:49]

• The appearance of Sarducci was timed with a real-life papal conclave, culminating in the election of Robert Francis Prevost—a "Chicago Pope."
• Stephen expresses mixed feelings about an American Pope:

  "I didn't want an American Pope...because I think the American Church is already too politicized as it is.” (08:04, Stephen Colbert) “...as much as I'm leery about religion getting into my politics, I'm really leery of politics getting into my religion." (08:20, Stephen Colbert)

• The news stirs pride and concern—ultimately overshadowed by the excitement of Chicago’s down-to-earth character:

  “Chicago is a world city, but it’s also clean. And the people there are not pretentious...” (10:39, Stephen Colbert)

4. Enter: Father Guido Sarducci

[11:47 – 19:47]

• Sarducci’s Vatican “Insider” Satire: Don Novello effortlessly improvises as Father Guido, commenting on conclave odds, smoking rules on TV, and the culinary joys of "porco spiro" (hedgehog Milanese).
• Improvisational Charm: Stephen reveals they scrapped the script and let Novello riff in character:

  “I just asked him questions and he answered in character...I wasn't entirely sure what was about to happen...it was a complete joy.” (07:23, Stephen Colbert)

• Conclave Antics & Culinary Comedy:
  • Claims hedgehogs are hard to cook because, "they’re hard to shoot, because they move." (14:39, Father Guido Sarducci)
  • Details absurd methods for cooking hedgehog Milanese, “You pound it and you bread it...porco spiro Milanese.” (15:42, Father Guido Sarducci)
• Satire on Papal Selection:
  • Tells a (fabricated) legend in which a Cardinal is selected as Pope after a fly lands in his minestrone:

    "They think it's a miracle he chose him to be Pope." (16:56, Father Guido Sarducci)

  • Lampoons conspiracy theories:

    “Benedict XVI is going to be Pope again...that's a rumor. No, you know, it's like Elvis...no one has seen him since his funeral.” (17:36–18:04, Father Guido Sarducci)

• Running gags about Sarducci’s lack of Church rank:

  "Why aren’t you a Monsignor yet?" (18:41, Stephen Colbert) "I don’t know...they said, 'You can’t have a tattoo.' " (18:46, Father Guido Sarducci) “Was it a Grateful Dead skull?” – “How did you know this?” (19:22–19:27, Stephen Colbert & Father Guido Sarducci)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On American Popes and Politics:

  “As much as I'm leery about religion getting into my politics, I'm really leery of politics getting into my religion.”
  (08:20, Stephen Colbert)

• On the Laszlo Letters' Influence:

  “If you read them, you go, 'Oh, I see what Stephen stole.’”
  (06:39, Stephen Colbert)

• Absurd Culinary Advice:

  “...you pound it and you bread it. Put breading on it, and they call it porco spiro Milanese.”
  (15:42, Father Guido Sarducci)

• On Smoking Menthol Cigarettes:

  “Network TV, you can smoke menthol.”
  “Why menthol?”
  “Kennedy just came out and said this... it's got vitamin C in it, and it's good for polio.”
  (13:26–13:43, Father Guido Sarducci)

• Conspiracy about Pope Benedict XVI:

  “That’s what you think. ...it's like Elvis..."
  (17:47, Father Guido Sarducci)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:07] – Becca and Stephen set up the episode, discuss revisiting classic segments.
• [03:06–06:39] – Reflection on Don Novello’s comedic background and influences.
• [07:48–10:49] – Discussion around the first American (Chicagoan) Pope and its implications.
• [11:47] – Father Guido Sarducci makes his grand entrance.
• [13:12–14:39] – Sarducci’s deadpan, surreal interview (smoking on TV, Conclave movie, hedgehog hunting).
• [16:12–17:30] – Frivolous history of papal elections, Conclave “miracles.”
• [17:32–18:25] – Papal conspiracy and the "return" of Benedict XVI.
• [18:41–19:27] – Running jokes about Sarducci’s missing Monsignor title and tattoo backstory.

Conclusion

This episode brilliantly balances nostalgia and sharp wit, offering both diehard fans and new listeners a glimpse into the layers of satirical craft behind Father Guido Sarducci’s character. It’s a testament to Don Novello’s improvisational genius, Stephen Colbert’s reverence for comedy history, and the enduring subversiveness of well-played satire around institutions like the Church and the papacy. The segment is as much about joyously riffing as it is about poking fun at deep-seated human rituals.

Listen to this episode for a masterclass in improvisational satire, irreverent humor, and a warm celebration of comedy’s past and present.