Summary of "Jenna Ortega | Textposé" Episode of The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert

Release Date: March 26, 2025

1. Introduction

In this riveting episode of The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert, host Stephen Colbert delves into current political mishaps before welcoming acclaimed actress Jenna Ortega as his guest. The episode seamlessly blends sharp political satire with an engaging celebrity interview, offering listeners both humor and insightful conversation.

2. Stephen Colbert's Monologue: Government Security Breach

Colbert opens the episode with a scathing critique of a recent security lapse within the Trump administration. He humorously dissects the blunder where top Trump officials inadvertently included journalist Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, in a highly classified group chat discussing plans to bomb Yemen.

Notable Quotes:

• "It all started when the journalist Goldberg received a request on the messaging app Signal from a user identified as Michael Waltz, the name of Trump's national security advisor." [00:02]

• "Houthi PC Small Group. Turns out it was real and that Houthis is short for Houthis Idiots running our government." [04:15]

Colbert emphasizes the absurdity of high-level officials discussing sensitive military operations on an unsecured platform, mocking the lack of oversight and professionalism:

• "Secretary of Defense posted on a publicly available app specific war plans which were then seen by a reporter who was accidentally on the thread. It's a phenomenon previously known as brother of the bride on the bachelor party text chain." [08:50]

He further satirizes the situation by imagining the officials’ obliviousness to Goldberg's presence and the potential breaches of the Espionage Act:

• "Posting war plans on Signal may have violated several provisions of the Espionage Act. And the Signal app is not approved by the government for the sharing of classified information." [09:10]

Colbert wraps up his monologue by highlighting the farcical nature of the incident and its implications for national security.

3. Transition to Guest Interview

After delivering a comprehensive and humorous analysis of the security breach, Colbert transitions to the main segment of the show, shifting focus to welcome his guest.

4. Interview with Jenna Ortega

a. Welcoming Jenna Ortega

Stephen Colbert warmly welcomes Jenna Ortega, an actress renowned for her roles in Wednesday, Scream 6, and the upcoming Beetlejuice sequel. Their exchange sets a friendly and relaxed tone for the interview.

• "That is a beautiful dress you're wearing." [14:12]

• "It's made of glass. And I'm not gonna lie, sometimes there's like pieces of it that are poking my ass every time I sit." [14:18]

b. Navigating Fame and Public Attention

Ortega shares her experiences dealing with sudden fame, particularly following the success of Wednesday. She recounts her initial discomfort with public recognition and how she has grown to manage it over time.

• "I've been acting since I was 9, so I've been doing this for a while. So I've had glimpses of that kind of attention in public before." [15:07]

• "I think now, you know, I understand. It comes with the territory. I've seen this level for quite some time now, and I think it's just, you gotta stop caring." [16:04]

Colbert commends her resilience and the positive impact of her long-term dedication to her craft:

• "What it really means is that work you started when you were nine was good work that added up to something that people agree is beautiful and enjoyable and that you're an artist and a crowd." [16:33]

c. Behind the Scenes of 'Wednesday' Season Two

Delving into her latest project, Ortega discusses the filming of Wednesday Season Two, expressing excitement about returning to the set and sharing anecdotes from production.

• "We had a normal, functioning set. And I remember pulling up to work the day of, and suddenly there was, like, truck after truck after truck." [17:50]

• "We really wanted to impress her." [18:24]

d. Collaborations and Upcoming Projects

Ortega highlights her collaboration with music icon Lady Gaga, describing Gaga's down-to-earth personality despite her fame, and shares insights into her upcoming films, including Clara and the Sun and Death of a Unicorn.

• "We really wanted to impress her. And then the next day, I went back to my dusty setup." [17:50]

• "I play Clara, an artificial friend." [22:38]

• "Death of a Unicorn is in theaters March 28th." [25:16]

She provides a humorous glimpse into filming Death of a Unicorn, detailing the fantastical elements of the movie and its satirical take on corporate greed:

• "And we don't know what to do with it, so we shove it in the back of our car. And then the rest of the film is he works for this pharmaceutical company and they find out and they want to take advantage." [24:14]

e. Personal Reflections and Future Aspirations

Ortega reflects on her personal growth and the challenges of portraying complex characters, particularly her role as a robot in Clara and the Sun. She draws parallels between her family experiences and her acting approach.

• "I've never played a happy person before." [22:45]

• "If you watch that movie and you watch my performance, it is based off of my toddler nephews and my newborn baby niece." [22:53]

5. Conclusion

Stephen Colbert concludes the interview by promoting Ortega's latest film, Death of a Unicorn, and encourages listeners to explore more content on The Late Show YouTube channel for additional clips and exclusives.

• "Death of a Unicorn is in theaters March 28th. Jenna Ortega, everybody." [25:16]

The episode wraps up with warm thanks to Jenna Ortega, leaving listeners with a blend of entertainment and anticipation for her upcoming projects.

Overall, this episode masterfully balances political satire with heartfelt celebrity interaction, providing listeners with both laughs and meaningful conversation. Stephen Colbert's engaging hosting style, combined with Jenna Ortega's candid insights, makes for a compelling and enjoyable podcast experience.