John Mulaney & David Byrne | Throne Out

Summary

---

The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert – “John Mulaney & David Byrne | Throne Out”

Date: March 31, 2026
Host: Stephen Colbert
Guests: John Mulaney, David Byrne
Episode Theme:
This episode blends Stephen Colbert’s signature satirical commentary on current events with warm, lively interviews featuring comedian John Mulaney and musician-artist David Byrne. The conversation ranges from large-scale political protests and Supreme Court nerdery to the immersive experiences of music, memory, and parenthood.

---

Episode Overview

Stephen Colbert returns after a break with energetic commentary about the "No Kings" protests sweeping the country, blending skepticism and humor in the face of political turmoil and ongoing war. He welcomes John Mulaney, who candidly opens up about family and his Supreme Court obsessions, followed by David Byrne, who dives into the creative motivations behind his latest colorful tour and immersive theater piece. The episode is full of playful banter, revealing personal insights, and memorable moments of mutual admiration.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Political Satire & The No Kings Protests

[01:05–11:44]

• Colbert and his co-host riff on the massive “No Kings” anti-authoritarian protests across the U.S., drawing parallels to the first Earth Day’s turnout and injecting mockery of political figures.
• Jokes target Trump’s erratic war strategy with Iran, the muddled messages, and the surreal way the administration issues war briefings (“America's first improv war”).
• Humorous protest signs and costumes (inflatable Trump pooping fire, anti-Trump Chewbacca) are described with gleeful sarcasm.

Notable Quotes:

• “Trying to follow the strategy of this president in this war is like getting relationship updates from your most chaotic friend. 'Travis and I are either breaking up or getting engaged this weekend.'” — Colbert’s Co-host, [06:54]
• “All right, folks, can I get the suggestion of a reason I invaded and an exit strategy? I heard pineapple and chia pet.” — Stephen Colbert, [08:16]
• “Missiles launched. Missiles launched. Missiles launching. They're launching... Fire, fire, fire. The most unbelievable thing. Fire poom. Fire. Poom.” — Trump soundbite, lampooned for its childlike tone, [08:35]

2. Economy & Currency Jokes

[13:03–17:34]

• The show pivots to lighter news—Late Show T-shirts raising money for World Central Kitchen, and an auction featuring memorabilia (including a “cursed monkey’s paw”).
• Satire around Trump’s signature appearing on the $100 bill, making fun of the break with tradition and its symbolic implications.
• News of a planned Trump gold coin sparks an Abraham Lincoln joke and a mock-legal analysis of why Trump's “hand” might get him out of a lawsuit.

Notable Quote:

• “He can now snort coke through his dad.” — Colbert’s Co-host, on Don Jr. being excited about the $100 bill, [15:22]
• “Does this look like it's attached to a living person?” — Colbert’s Co-host, on using a photo of Trump’s hand in court, [17:19]

3. John Mulaney: Supreme Court Nerd & Family Man

[17:46–29:53]

• Mulaney returns with relaxed confidence, expressing gratitude for Colbert’s support through life’s ups and downs.
• He details being spotted at the Supreme Court for oral arguments on a tariffs case, revealing he’s a “Supreme Court argument nerd.” Mulaney likens Supreme Court arguments to stand-up: “You've got 15 seconds to get 'em… You have to come out of the gate really hot.” ([21:10])
• Anecdotes about bringing his young son on tour: soundchecks, wearing blazers, using “at work” as a behavioral motivator.
• Heartfelt and hilarious moment explaining Elvis's death to his child at Graceland:
  • “‘Dad, can I meet Elvis now?’... I go, ‘Oh, no, it's not like a permission thing...’ Then I realized all his grandparents are alive and he's never had a goldfish... he's about to find out in the jungle room at Graceland that everybody dies.” ([26:34])

Notable Quotes:

• “I think Stephen likes me. So I'm good and I'm really appreciative to be here.” — John Mulaney, [18:21]
• “Arguing in front of the court is the same principle as doing stand up... You have to come out of the gate really hot.” — John Mulaney, [21:10]
• “Elvis is in heaven now... sometimes when people are in their early 40s and have a job and schedule a lot like Daddy, and some of the same issues as Daddy, they go to the bathroom and they go to heaven.” — John Mulaney, [27:19]

4. David Byrne: Music, Art, and “Theater of the Mind”

[30:15–35:53]

• Colbert and Mulaney welcome David Byrne onstage, with mutual admiration. Byrne describes their first encounter on Broadway’s Oh, Hello show.
• Byrne discusses his latest tour, transitioning from a gray-themed show to embracing colorful visuals to counteract modern-day gloom: “I knew I wanted to be colorful. The last one was gray. It was not a sad show, but it was gray. And I thought, no times we live in. We need some color.” ([31:41])
• On performing Talking Heads songs like “Life During Wartime” in today’s climate: they added ICE footage to underscore current resonance; Mulaney praises the intense crowd reaction to this in Chicago.
• Byrne elaborates on “Theater of the Mind,” his immersive stage experience at Chicago’s Goodman Theatre, which explores memory, identity, and human perception.

Notable Quotes:

• “Life During Wartime… at the very end of the song, we show footage of this delivery guy on a bike being chased by ICE guys. And he gets away.” — David Byrne, [32:10]
• “It’s about how we form our identities through our memories and our perception... an actor takes you through a series of rooms that represent various parts of that actor's life, going backwards.” — David Byrne, [33:05]

5. Memorable Moments, Gift Exchange & Playful Banter

[28:32–29:53]

• Colbert invites Mulaney to stay as co-host for Byrne’s interview—“I haven’t done this before, but... you wanna just stay and do the interview?” Mulaney: “Well, yes.” ([28:41])
• Mulaney “gifts” Colbert a $750 check as a humorous token to help him post-Show:
  • “You won’t have a job soon... this is so you go, should I get the new suit for the job interview? Get it.” — John Mulaney, [29:27]

---

Timestamps for Notable Segments

• No Kings Protests & Political Satire: [01:05–11:44]
• Currency/Trump Satire & Merchandise for Charity: [13:03–17:34]
• John Mulaney Interview (Supreme Court, Family, Elvis Story): [17:46–29:53]
• David Byrne Interview (Tour, Theater of the Mind): [30:15–35:53]
• Heartfelt & Playful Moments (Mulaney’s Gift): [28:32–29:53]

---

Memorable Quotes

• “Trying to follow this president’s war strategy is like getting relationship updates from your most chaotic friend.” — Colbert’s Co-host, [06:54]
• “Arguing in front of the court is the same principle as doing stand up: you’ve got 15 seconds to get them.” — John Mulaney, [21:10]
• “Elvis is in heaven now... sometimes when people are in their early 40s... and some of the same issues as Daddy, they go to the bathroom and they go to heaven.” — John Mulaney, [27:19]
• “Times we live in. We need some color.” — David Byrne, [31:41]

---

Episode Takeaway

This episode offers a skillful blend of acute political parody, sincere gratitude between colleagues, and creative curiosity. Viewers are treated to revealing, often touching, glimpses behind the scenes into both Mulaney’s quirky fascinations and Byrne’s conceptual art, while Colbert gently steers the show with curiosity and breezy wit. The resulting conversation is rich with humor, vulnerability, and timely cultural commentary.

---

Transcript

[Ryan Reynolds]

Ryan Reynolds here from Mint Mobile with a message for everyone paying big wireless way too much. Please, for the love of everything good in this world, stop with Mint. You can get premium wireless for just $15 a month. Of course, if you enjoy overpaying, no judgments. But that's weird. Okay, one judgment anyway. Give it a try. @mintmobile.com Switch upfront payment of $45 for

[Mint Mobile Announcer]

3 month plan equivalent to $15 per month. Required intro rate first 3 months only, then full price plan options available. Taxes and fees extra. See full [e-mail] get in the game

[Venmo Announcer]

with the college branded Venmo debit card. Wreck your team with every tap and earn up to 5% cash back with Venmo Stash, a new rewards program from Venmo. No monthly fee, no minimum balance. Just school pride and spending power. Get in the game and sign up for the Venmo debit [e-mail] collegecard the Venmo MasterCard is issued by the Bancorp Bank. NA Select Schools available Venmo Stash terms and exclusions apply at venmo me stashterms max $100 cash back per month.

[Stephen Colbert]

Welcome, welcome, friends. Welcome one and all to the Late show. I'm your host, Stephen Colbert. Ladies and gentlemen, we are back after a week off.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

I took a little vacation, got out on the boat and I gotta say, the fishing was unbelievable. In the Strait of Hormuz,

[Stephen Colbert]

not another boat in sight. And I caught giant piece of ticking metal.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Gotta figure out how to filet that sucker. But the number one story is that

[Stephen Colbert]

Saturday was the third no Kings protest. And it was huge. Amazing. They're all over the place. They're all over. They were enormous. Just look at the crowd we got here in New York. Oh, that's the TSA line at jfk. It's surprising that the lines were so

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

long considering all the help they got from ice. I mean, you know the old saying. You know the old saying, if you

[Stephen Colbert]

got time to lean, you're an ICE agent.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

New York's actual no Kings march was

[Stephen Colbert]

huge, as were the marches in Chicago, in San Diego, Atlanta, Philly, and in Boston, Massachusetts. Look at Boston. Now, that last footage there from Boston

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

was either from no Kings or the annual Wahlberg family Palm Sunday Punch and Munch. You get a burger and a punch in the face. Now, I don't know why I said that. All sold. All told, Saturday was the largest single day protest ever held in the United States since the first Earth day back in 1970.

[Audience or Crowd]

Yeah,

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

that was when millions of Americans showed up in force to protest the Earth. I was just a little shaver there. I still remember my dad and me throwing D cell batteries at a dolphin, just trying to get one to stick into its blowhole. It wasn't only in America. Trump is so unpopular. There were even no Kings rallies across Europe, including this large no Kings march

[Stephen Colbert]

in lo

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

and no Kings march in London. Must have been awkward. Doesn't make Charles feel like, what do we want?

[Stephen Colbert]

No Kings.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Metaphorically.

[Stephen Colbert]

In reality, our guy's okay, though.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

I would like to stick a battery

[Stephen Colbert]

in Prince Andrew's blowhole, wherever it is.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Wherever.

[Stephen Colbert]

Where would it be?

[Audience or Crowd]

Oh.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

One of the biggest US Showings was in the Twin Cities. After being terrorized by Trump's immigration goons for months, over 200,000 people stood up to the administration

[Stephen Colbert]

in St. Paul, Minneapolis, and the crowd heard from Joan Baez, Maggie Rogers, Bruce Springsteen, and Senator Bernie Sanders, who I hope. Who I hope performed a Springsteen song.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Everybody's got a hungry heart. Hungry for soup.

[David Byrne]

Protests.

[Stephen Colbert]

He doesn't know. He doesn't know. Why soup? He was on the show. Why soup?

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

There were protest signs and they were just great. They came from Minnesota and we said, oh, no you don't.

[Stephen Colbert]

Does this ass make my country look small? No.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Faux King way.

[Stephen Colbert]

The turd and Jimmy Kimmel has higher ratings than you. I like that one.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

I really like that one. Can we see who was carrying that sign?

[Stephen Colbert]

I knew it.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

People also wore some fun costumes. Like there were rally frogs and this anti Trump Chewbacca. Of course, Chewy was just channeling the revolutionary words of Patrick Henry. Give me liberty or give me.

[Stephen Colbert]

But perhaps. Is that how you spell it? I don't know.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Perhaps the most impressive of it all was this inflatable Trump pooping directly onto the Constitution.

[Stephen Colbert]

That.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Spectacular craftsmanship above all else. Whoever made that should be proud. Cause one day their grandchild will ask them how they resisted the rise of American fascism. And they can proudly say, well, Tyler, your grandma and I work round the clock with a team of fellow patriots to answer the eternal question of democracy. Can we make an angry balloon that looks like it's pooping fire? Yes, you can.

[Stephen Colbert]

One reason so many people show up. Yes, we can. Yes, we can. Yes, we can.

[Audience or Crowd]

Yes, we can. Yes, we can. Yes, we can. Yes, we can.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

I think that's what Obama meant, right? One reason so many people showed up to no Kings this weekend is that we are still at war with Iran. I think because Trump is sending mixed messages by pursuing both a rapid exit while at the same time Mulling a dramatic escalation that would raise the stakes enormously. Trying to follow the strategy of this president in this war is like getting relationship updates from your most chaotic friend. Travis and I are either breaking up or getting engaged this weekend. But one thing is for sure,

[Stephen Colbert]

Trump is threatening.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Trump is threatening to put boots on the ground while also claiming productive negotiations with the regime are going on. And then last week, he also said, we've won this.

[John Mulaney]

This war has been won.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

The war is won.

[Stephen Colbert]

That is fantastic news.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Can we see some footage of the victory parade? No, it's no kings.

[Stephen Colbert]

Again, can we please see the victory parade? No, that's the TSA line in Houston.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

All of Trump's vacillating between declaring victory and threatening Iran and saying he's negotiating led the New York Times to say the war has an erratic and make it up as it goes feel. Yes, this is officially America's first improv war.

[Stephen Colbert]

All right, folks, can I get the suggestion of a reason I invaded and an exit strategy? I heard pineapple and chia pet. Now, we take you to this procticologist's office.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Now, Trump took a minute to describe seeing our military in action, but what

[Missiles Launch Announcer]

happened is you have to see it. It's very cool. Missiles launched. Missiles launched. Missiles launching. They're launching. Okay, we're ready then. At seven seconds. Fire, fire, fire. The most unbelievable thing. Fire poom. Fire. Poom.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Stirring wartime leadership. It reminds me of Winston Churchill. We shall fight them on the beaches

[John Mulaney]

like pew, pew, pew, kachow blammo. So cool.

[Stephen Colbert]

Now there's a reason.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Still holds up. That's a big guitar.

[Stephen Colbert]

Really big.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

There's a reason Trump thinks of the war as a bunch of zooms and booms. Cause reportedly, he's getting his daily briefing in the form of a highlight reel of, quote, stuff blowing up. It's prepped for him by the Pentagon and is a video compilation of the biggest, most successful strikes on Iranian targets over the previous 48 hours. It's the greatest hits of the Pentagon's greatest hits, and it's all compiled in the cd. Now, that's what I call a military

[Stephen Colbert]

operation, because legally, only Congress can declare war.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Trump gave these remarks at a gathering of what I am choosing to believe, based on the logo, is the FU Institute. So we have no sense if the war is ending anytime soon, which is not great, because economists are predicting that the fallout could last for years. For example, because polyester is made from petrochemicals found in the Gulf, tracksuits could get more expensive.

[Stephen Colbert]

That is war on New Jersey. What? Tell me, tell me, friends. If not now, when? If not him, who? What is the Mafia going to do now?

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Nobody wants to get dumped in the Meadowlands by guys wearing caftans. The effects of the war are everywhere. Because of the cost of cooking gas, Butter chicken has disappeared from some Indian menus, cancer drugs might not reach some patients on time, and Shakira and others have postponed shows. Doesn't it feel like they're trying to sneak in a real bad one in the middle so no one notices on that list? Honey, do you want to order Mexican food?

[Stephen Colbert]

Italian? I have herpes or Chinese? Italian it is.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Right now. As a result of the war, the average price of gas in the United States is up to $3.99 per gallon, airfares are getting more expensive, and the strikes have triggered a global huge helium crisis. Oh no. Or should I say, Oh no.

[Stephen Colbert]

We can't afford helium. We got a great show for you tonight.

[Show Announcer]

More Late Show Pod show after this.

[Microsoft 365 Copilot Announcer]

The world moves fast. Your workday even faster. Pitching products, drafting reports, analyzing data. Microsoft 365 Copilot is your AI assistant for work built into Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other Microsoft 365 apps you use, helping you quickly write, analyze, create and summarize so you can cut through clutter and clear a path to your best work. Learn [e-mail] M365 copilot Spring starts at

[Home Depot Announcer]

the Home Depot and we are bringing the heat to your backyard this season. Fire up the flavor with our wide variety of grills for under $300 like the next grill 4 burner gas grill that's perfect for hosting your spring cookout. Then set the scene and turn your outdoor space into the go to spot with patio sets for every budget. Bring it this season with grills that deliver flavor and patios that set the vibe from the Home Depot. Start your spring with low prices guaranteed at the Home Depot. Exclusions apply. See homedepot.com pricematch for details.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Folks, as you may have noticed, the Late show took last week off and if you didn't notice, thanks. What if something terrible had happened and I was lying in a storm drain behind a Wendy's on the edge of town, living on discarded ketchup packets? Point is, we took a break, but before the break we announced that we are now selling special T shirts that help raise money for World Central Kitchen. A great organization.

[Stephen Colbert]

They're wonderful, great people. It's a great organization that feeds people

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

during times of crisis, which, if you've noticed These days is pretty much everywhere. All the time. The shirts commemorate the end of the Late show, which will be May 21. And the shirts read on the front, the last show was Stephen Colbert. And on the back it says thanks for watching. Unless you watched on YouTube, the network couldn't monetize that.

[Stephen Colbert]

It's kind of a joke.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Yeah, it's kind of a joke. Mostly a factual statement. Now, I'm proud to say that in just the week and a half since we unveiled them, we have sold. Drum roll please.

[Stephen Colbert]

A lot of them. Yeah, a lot. A whole lot.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

And if you want one of those great shirts benefiting a great cause, just head to colbertlateshow.com eBay where we are also auctioning off Late show memorabilia. Like tonight, we are adding a prop that has been used multiple times on the Late Show. It's a cursed monkey's paw.

[Stephen Colbert]

Perfect.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

If you're a prop collector or a one armed monkey who is not superstitious. We're also adding two items from the very first episode of the Late show. This cursed amulet on a decorative goat skull, which is not cursed unless you were that goat. Go get em all. Speaking of monkeys, money, The American dollar is about to be ruined because last week the treasury announced that starting in June, Trump's signature will start appearing on the one hundred dollar bill.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah, okay. Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

You may be upset, but this fulfills a lifelong dream for Don Jr. Because he can now snort coke through his dad.

[Stephen Colbert]

This is not sure why not. He seems happy.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

This is not normal. Until now, US Paper currency has carried the signatures of the treasury secretary and the treasurer, not the president, making Trump the first sitting president to have his signature on the money. Yes, now Trump's signature will join the ranks and famous names on the money like what's his name and the other guy and Janet Yellen. Trump's big dumb name on the money means that for the first time in over 100 years, the name of the US Treasurer currency, which is a huge slap in the face to the current treasurer. Say it with me, Brandon Beach.

[Stephen Colbert]

Sorry, but let's go, Brandon.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

It's not just stupid bills, it's also the stupid coins. The Treasury Department also announced a design for a new 24 karat gold coin featuring. You get one guess.

[Stephen Colbert]

Donald Trump, seen here.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Seen here doing his impression of a hangry gorilla. But there's some good news about the coin because it may never happen. A retired Portland lawyer has sued the government to stop the coin's distribution because under federal law, only a portrait of a deceased individual may appear on United States currency and securities. It's true. Abraham Lincoln wanted to be on that penny so badly he hired a guy to shoot him in the head.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah. No, it's true. It's true. Oh, I'm the bad guy.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

You just laughed.

[Stephen Colbert]

They just couldn't wait.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Really failed the old marshmallow test. But the government lawyers might have a pretty good case against this challenge because all they have to do is show the jury a photo of Trump's hand. I mean, does this look like it's attached to a living person?

[Show Announcer]

Coming up, John Mulaney,

[Stephen Colbert]

Ladies and gentlemen, My first guest tonight is a Peabody

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

and four time Emmy award winning comedian. You know from his standup specials the Bear and Everybody's live with John Mulaney.

[Stephen Colbert]

Please welcome back to the late show, John Mulaney. Hey.

[John Mulaney]

Hello.

[Stephen Colbert]

Good to see you.

[John Mulaney]

Good to see you. Stephen.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

You are a bit of a mop top these days.

[John Mulaney]

Yeah, it's getting long. Yeah, yeah, yeah. You know what it's from is neglect. Yes, Just general.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

One of the best grooming agents of all.

[John Mulaney]

Truly neglect does wonders for you.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

How you been?

[John Mulaney]

I'm good. You know, every time I've come out here in the past, I've always been excited but very nervous. Why I'm not nervous. Cause it's the Stephen Colbert late show. But it's a big deal. But you know what? You've had me on so many wonderful times. You've had me on through various life crises. Yes. Some playing out on the air. And I. It means a lot. I decided today I go, I think Stephen likes me. So I'm good and I'm really appreciative to be here. Thank you.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Thank you so much.

[John Mulaney]

Thank you. No nerves at all.

[Stephen Colbert]

I think you're a doll.

[John Mulaney]

You're the best.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Listen, you're an interesting cat. A few months ago you were spotted somewhere unexpected.

[John Mulaney]

Okay.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

A Supreme Court hearing.

[John Mulaney]

Oh, yes.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Howard Mortman from C Span. Everybody knows Howard's work.

[John Mulaney]

Howard Mortman's work. Shout out. Howard Mortman.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

He posted this. This is his little hand drawn thing of where people were. And this is up here, Supreme Court justice and everything. And down here in the corner it says, here's where John Mulaney was. What on earth were you doing?

[John Mulaney]

That was where I was sitting. Klobuchar, Howard Lutnick. Lots of people. And then right in the back, I went to see them argue. Learning Resources Incorporated versus Trump, otherwise known as the tariffs case. My good friend that I think you know, Neil. Katya.

[David Byrne]

Sure, sure, sure.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Former Solicitor General.

[John Mulaney]

Yes, former Acting Solicitor General was arguing against the tariffs in front of the Supreme Court. He invited me to go watch. We're working on a Supreme Court project together. But I'm also a Supreme Court argument nerd. This is my first live argument. I sat in the back and it was incredible.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Wait a second.

[John Mulaney]

Yes.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

So let's go back one.

[John Mulaney]

Sure.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

You're a Supreme Court argument nerd. Do you listen to them? Like they're podcasts?

[John Mulaney]

Yeah. So they're on YouTube. They're on SCOTUS blog or YouTube. You can listen to the whole four hour.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

But just audio, right? There's no video ever?

[John Mulaney]

No, no. They never allow cameras in there, but there are now. Like they have pictures. Like the person talking glows, you know, so you can follow it and you have pretty advanced stuff. But like kind of like Grateful Dead shows. Like, I just put on different arguments and it's the same people every time, same clothes, but always something different.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Wow.

[John Mulaney]

Do you have a favorite, favorite argument?

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Favorite argument? Anything like, oh, it's one of those days. I gotta listen to Santa Clara versus Southern Pacific Railroad.

[John Mulaney]

Oh, that's a good one. You know that one?

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Oh, yeah. 1884.

[John Mulaney]

Yeah, yeah, I have. There was recently one where there was a real argument, like a fight broke out between the. One of the advocates accused the other side of flat out lying and Gorsuch was like, hey, we don't say lying. And they were really got into it. It got pretty hairy. And I'm sorry, I don't have it,

[Show Notes Announcer]

but we'll put it in the show notes.

[John Mulaney]

Yes, but my friend argued the case and I was very excited.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Neil Katyal argued.

[John Mulaney]

Neil Katyal argued he won.

[Audience or Crowd]

Right.

[John Mulaney]

But he didn't know that day he'd won. But he argued it brilliantly and it was really like watching a great stand up. It's the same principle arguing in front of the court as doing stand up comedy. You've got 15 seconds to get him and that's it. You have to come out of the gate really hot. You have to say, Mr. Chief justice and if it pleases the court and then have like a killer sentence. And he said, tariffs are taxes, full stop. Which obviously the President can't do without Congress's approval. Yeah, nailed it. He walks out of state.

[Audience or Crowd]

Right.

[Stephen Colbert]

And I punch that up with a punch.

[John Mulaney]

And that's what I open with every night now. But he argues this brilliantly. He walks out onto the steps of the Supreme Court on one first street, just like a movie. And all these cameras come up to him and the first question Was. Do you know why John Mulaney was at the argument today?

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

What are they like in person, by the way? Because I interviewed a few of them, but you can guess the ones they really.

[John Mulaney]

But you had a great Scalia story from the correspondence to. Which I just liked. But. Okay, so Alito. Okay, let's say one of the more intimidating ones, very tall. Uses his height, right?

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

He's tall. I don't think so.

[John Mulaney]

He's tall. He's down like this a lot.

[Show Notes Announcer]

And he thinks of a hypothetical for the lawyer.

[John Mulaney]

He goes, let's say we had a. Someone was working at a restaurant, or

[Show Notes Announcer]

let's say a small store. So he gets annoyed with his own hypothetical yes.

[John Mulaney]

Then he wants a yes or no

[Show Notes Announcer]

answer to a super complex thing for which there is no yes or no answer.

[John Mulaney]

So he goes, can they do it, yes or no? And he sits up, like, super tall. He's a big Philly Italian guy. He's a Phillies fan, which says a lot, right?

[Stephen Colbert]

Yes, sir.

[John Mulaney]

That type of. You can't grow up with that type of misery.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

He might just throw batteries at the guy.

[John Mulaney]

So he uses his height.

[Show Notes Announcer]

Thomas.

[John Mulaney]

I mean, he's. My parents. Age cannot.

[Show Notes Announcer]

He's awake.

[John Mulaney]

But it's a lot of blinking.

[Show Notes Announcer]

It's a nice easy chair and a

[John Mulaney]

heavy robe in a humid room.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah.

[Show Notes Announcer]

Built in the 30s, no AC. And it is tough on. I mean, just blinking up the driest eyes in town.

[Stephen Colbert]

Wow.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

We have to take a quick break. We'll be right back with more Mr. John Mulaney, everybody.

[Stephen Colbert]

Stick around.

[Mint Mobile Announcer]

K Pop Demon Hunters, Haja Boys Breakfast Meal and Huntrex Meal have just dropped at McDonald's. They're calling this a battle for the fans.

[UPS Store Announcer]

What is.

[Mint Mobile Announcer]

What do you say to that, Rumi?

[Show Announcer]

It's not a battle. So glad the Saja Boys could take breakfast and give our meal the rest of the day.

[John Mulaney]

It is an honor to share.

[Show Announcer]

No, it's our honor.

[John Mulaney]

It is our larger honor.

[David Byrne]

No, really, stop.

[Mint Mobile Announcer]

You can really feel the respect in this battle. Pick a meal to pick a side.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Participate in McDonald's while supplies last.

[TurboTax Announcer]

Are you stuck staring at your W2? Are tax refund worries holding you back? You probably have FOMO. The fear of messing up the fix using TurboTax on Intuit. Credit Karma. They find every credit and deduction to help you get every refund dollar you deserve or your money back. It's time to overcome your fear of messing up and get your taxes done right. Start filing today in the Credit Karma app.

[Stephen Colbert]

John Mulaney of the Supreme Court.

[John Mulaney]

Supreme Court's John Mulaney.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

You're on tour right now.

[John Mulaney]

Yes, I am.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

And what I love is you're a family man.

[John Mulaney]

Yeah, they come with me.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

And the family comes with.

[John Mulaney]

Yes, they do.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Here you are with your lovely son. Oh, yeah, right there.

[John Mulaney]

That's at Massey hall in Toronto. My son likes to come.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

He's famous.

[John Mulaney]

Yeah. Amazing. Neil Young. I had him wear, like, a Neil Young blazer for this sound check. He does sound check at work, and I guess it is a job. And anything I need him to do, I can always say, hey, at work. We have to do this at home.

[Show Notes Announcer]

Talk back as much as you want, but we're at work now, so you

[John Mulaney]

have to wear a blazer and you

[Show Notes Announcer]

have to eat your whole peach cup. And whatever I want him to do.

[John Mulaney]

And he's like, right. It'd work. I go, yeah, it work. It's a bummer, but we gotta do it. So he does sound check and stuff. And then he came to Memphis with me recently, which was great. Cause I was performing on the soundstage at Graceland. They have a beautiful stage there. So, Malcolm, my son is 4, but he's a huge Elvis fan. And I said to him, do you want to get a tour of Elvis's house?

[Stephen Colbert]

Wow.

[John Mulaney]

And he was like, Elvis's house? Awesome.

[Show Notes Announcer]

5pm sun setting.

[John Mulaney]

They gave us a private tour.

[Show Notes Announcer]

Me and Malcolm, we're walking through. She goes, we're going to show you

[John Mulaney]

some special spots because you're performing here at Graceland.

[Show Notes Announcer]

My son goes, I want to go on the roof.

[John Mulaney]

They go, well, we don't have people up on the roof. And he goes, you said special spots. And I was like, he's right.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

It's true.

[John Mulaney]

Take us to the roof. Yes. So we're walking through the Jungle Room.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Oh, yeah.

[John Mulaney]

Have you been to Graceland?

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

No, but I am aware of the Jungle Room.

[John Mulaney]

Oh, I'll take you sometime. It's great.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

You know, like, I want to go on the roof.

[John Mulaney]

Yeah. This is the home in poverty that Elvis dreamed of building. And he builds it when he's the biggest star in the world. And it's like a pretty good house a dentist would have in 1959.

[David Byrne]

Right.

[John Mulaney]

It's like, fine. Right. So we're in the Jungle Room. Famous room, they call it that.

[Show Notes Announcer]

Cause they have carpet on the walls, like the jungle.

[John Mulaney]

And we're looking around, and Malcolm goes, dad, can I meet Elvis now? It had never come up while listening to Hound Dog. Sure. You don't go, you know, son, this guy's Dead, right.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

You want to know how he died?

[John Mulaney]

You want to know how he died? So I go, no, you can't. And he goes, please, I want to. I go, oh, no, it's not like a permission thing. Then I realized all his grandparents are alive and he's never had a goldfish. And he doesn't know. Like, he doesn't know when he's about to find out in the jungle room at Graceland that everybody dies.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

And so how did you convey this?

[John Mulaney]

I said, elvis is in heaven now. And he said, why? And I said, uh, well, sometimes when people are in their early 40s.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Okay.

[John Mulaney]

And they.

[Stephen Colbert]

Okay, okay.

[John Mulaney]

And they have a. They have a job and schedule a lot like Daddy. Uh, and some of the same issues as Daddy. They go to the bathroom and they go to heaven.

[Audience or Crowd]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Worse ways, I suppose.

[John Mulaney]

Dude, what better life?

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Our other guest tonight is the great David Byrne.

[John Mulaney]

The greatest.

[Stephen Colbert]

What I found out. I was very excited that both of you were gonna be here because I'm

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

big fans of both of yours and I've got to know both of you a little bit. I didn't know you guys are friends. Like, you guys have collaborated several times. Sackluck Bunch.

[John Mulaney]

Yeah, the Sackluck Bunch of Baby J. He did music for Baby J. I had the honor of hosting SNL when he was a musical guest. Yeah. I can't believe I know him. It's similar to you. I can't believe I get to.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Exactly. Don't tell him because he's backstage right now. But I'm starstruck.

[John Mulaney]

Yeah. Nick Kroll once said, that's the most nervous you ever are, is when you're talking to David Byrne. I really. He's a wonderful, nice man. I just. I look up to him so much.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

I haven't done this before, but he's gonna come out here in just a minute after the commercial break. You wanna just stay and do the interview with him?

[John Mulaney]

Really?

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Yeah.

[John Mulaney]

Well, yes.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

And

[John Mulaney]

that is such a gift. I would like to give you something that I have for you before.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Before I move on.

[John Mulaney]

This is rarely do this. I don't want to make a big deal out of it, but should I open it up? Yeah, that's where you.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Hotel.

[John Mulaney]

No, don't stay where I'm staying. Come on.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Room 2.

[Stephen Colbert]

37.

[John Mulaney]

Room 37.

[Stephen Colbert]

Under the name Samson Rolamite.

[John Mulaney]

I know people still guess it's me.

[Stephen Colbert]

This is a check. Hold on.

[John Mulaney]

From me.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

It's John Mulaney. It's to me for $750.

[John Mulaney]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Stephen Colbert from City National Why do you.

[John Mulaney]

So listen, I don't mean to make a big deal out, but, like, you won't have a job soon and. No, no, no, no, no, no. Come on, don't embarrass me.

[David Byrne]

Personal.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Personal expenses.

[John Mulaney]

Personal expenses.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Yes.

[John Mulaney]

This is so. Look, obviously you've saved, but this is so, you know, you go. Should I get the new suit for the job interview? Get it. You know what I mean? I don't want you to. I don't want you to take Abby out. Except you have to cash it.

[Stephen Colbert]

Oh, I will. Thank you. Tickets to his Mr. Whatever tour are available on johnmillaney.com, john Mulaney, everybody.

[Show Announcer]

Coming up, David Byrne.

[Stephen Colbert]

My next guest is a Grammy.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Tony, an Academy Award winning artist who is in the Rock and roll hall of Fame. Please welcome back to the Late Show, David Byrne. Hey. A good. Good to see you again. And as I said, I just found out that you guys are friends. How did you guys get to. How did you meet?

[David Byrne]

Oh, oh, oh, oh, hello.

[John Mulaney]

Yes, you did.

[David Byrne]

Oh, hello.

[John Mulaney]

He did oh, hello on Broadway.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

You did a show for people who don't know, you did a show on Broadway called oh, hello, oh, hello with Nick Kroll.

[John Mulaney]

And we'd have a guest on. You were one of our early guests, David, at the time. And we had David on one weekend and it was a very. That was when I tripped over his intro and Nick went, you've never been nervous like this before.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Yes. How'd you get the invitation? Like, did you know what it was?

[David Byrne]

I knew the director. Yes, that's right, Tim.

[John Mulaney]

Alex Timbers.

[David Byrne]

And he said, hey, will you do this? And of course I did the show. And I go, I don't think I recognize these guys.

[John Mulaney]

We were in a lot of, like, Arsenic and Old Lace makeup.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Here we go. This is who is the Sky? Last year, either side works. And you've been on tour with an ensemble. Here we go. With your ensemble right there. You're always reimagining what a concert can be. How did you decide?

[David Byrne]

Whoa, the picture gets an applause.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah, yeah.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

I think your imagination got the applause. How did you decide what you wanted this tour to feel like?

[David Byrne]

I knew I wanted to be colorful. The last one was gray. It was not a sad show, but it was great. And I thought, no times we live in. We need some color.

[John Mulaney]

Sure.

[Stephen Colbert]

And here we are.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

There you are in the show. You perform some talking head songs like Psycho Killer and Life during Wartime. Do those songs. I mean, do those songs feel different in the context of today than when you first performed them.

[David Byrne]

Oh, my goodness. Well, the second one, Life During Wartime. Yes, we have. I licensed some ice footage to show at the very end. Very, very end of the song. If we showed it for the whole song, it'd be kind of depressing, but we show it at the very end. And we start off with some footage that I saw of this. Looked like a delivery guy on a bike being chased by the ice guys. And he gets away.

[Stephen Colbert]

He is in Chicago.

[John Mulaney]

Yeah, yeah.

[David Byrne]

And it was in Chicago we debuted that clip. Cause they kept coming. They kept coming in Chicago. John was there.

[John Mulaney]

Like, biggest, biggest, coolest reaction I've ever seen to a live audience, ever. Incredible.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

You've also created an immersive show at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago called Theater of the Mind.

[Show Notes Announcer]

What's that about?

[David Byrne]

It's about how we form our identities through our memories and our perception. And it follows a guide. An actor who takes you through a series of rooms that represent various. That actor's life going backwards on stage.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

You're actually going through.

[David Byrne]

You're going through rooms. Yeah. It's in a warehouse kind of space.

[John Mulaney]

Yeah.

[David Byrne]

And it works.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

I mean, have you attended it?

[David Byrne]

I attended it very recently. I saw two runs, as we call them, and the second one, a woman was sobbing by the last room. She told me she loved the show, but it touched something personal in her. And so I was simultaneously kind of pleased, but also thought, well, can I help? We should help her.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Has it generally been the reaction been positive?

[David Byrne]

I think so, but I don't read reviews. I do have. One of the actresses has told me a story, these kind of immersive shows. The actor is very close, like you are to me. And in one room, a husband and wife were in the audience, and the husband winked at the actor. And the wife noticed she was not real happy about that. So when they finish in that room and getting ready to go to the next room, because the actors. The actress opens the door and said, are you coming with me? And the woman goes, I'm not going with you.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

They say if you can touch one person, it's worth it.

[Show Announcer]

Oh, boy.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Well, you're going to do a song for us tonight. Thank you for. For doing a song.

[Stephen Colbert]

What. What are you gonna be doing?

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

From the album? What are you gonna be. What are you gonna be doing?

[David Byrne]

I'm gonna do a song called When We Are Singing. Yeah, what is it? Well, the beginning of it, I thought about. I really don't like writing songs about my business, but I thought, you know, when people are singing, we don't know, they look kind of funny. You can't tell if they're in ecstasy. You know, they just have their mouth open. You don't know if they're in ecstasy or if somebody stepped on their toe or they saw something horrible. And sure, it's all the same.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Look, we look forward to watching you do that, David.

[Stephen Colbert]

Thank you. I want to thank my co host John Mulaney.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

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.

[UPS Store Announcer]

The UPS Store is making packing and shipping Easter gifts quicker than ever this year with UPS Air.

[Audience or Crowd]

How quick?

[UPS Store Announcer]

Quicker than a walk around the park. Quicker than eating all the Easter candies. Quicker than finding a golden egg that you know is stuffed with cash. When you ship UPS Air at the UPS Store, your items arrive on time or your money back, guaranteed at no extra cost. Exclusively at the UPS Store US retail locations. Send Easter Joy on time at the UPS Store. Visit the upsstore.com air guarantee for full details. Terms and conditions apply.

[Mint Mobile Announcer]

I'm back. I'm really back.

[School Spirits Narrator]

School Spirits returns.

[John Mulaney]

Why am I here?

[Audience or Crowd]

Not dead right.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

Disruption on this campus will not be tolerated.

[Show Announcer]

I look crazy.

[Mint Mobile Announcer]

It's because that's how I feel. I don't know how to live in two worlds.

[School Spirits Narrator]

Secrets lurk. There are others beneath the surface.

[Stephen Colbert's Co-host or Sidekick]

They're not like us.

[Microsoft 365 Copilot Announcer]

We need to get out of here.

[Audience or Crowd]

Now.

[School Spirits Narrator]

School Spirits new season now streaming only on Paramount plus.