John Oliver | Trial By Fired

Summary

The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert Episode: John Oliver | Trial By Fired
Release Date: February 18, 2025

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Introduction

In this engaging episode of The Late Show Pod Show, Stephen Colbert welcomes his esteemed guest, John Oliver, for a lively and humorous conversation. The episode skillfully blends sharp political satire with personal anecdotes, offering listeners both entertainment and insightful commentary on current events.

Trump’s Controversial Presidency and Public Statements

Colbert kicks off the discussion by addressing the tumultuous actions of former President Donald Trump. He uses vivid metaphors to illustrate the overwhelming nature of Trump's presidency, comparing it to frogs in boiling water where Trump, the chef, only poaches their legs:

Stephen Colbert (03:17): "We're all frogs. We're all in the water, and we know that it's going to boil. And half of us are screaming, let's get out of the pot. And half of us are screaming, crank up the heat. Make the stove great again."

Colbert criticizes Trump's recent tweet asserting that "he who saves his country does not violate any law," labeling it as a tyrannical declaration of power:

Stephen Colbert (03:19): "Trump is pre-announcing that he's going to break any law he wants to get whatever he wants."

The Gulf of America Saga

A significant portion of the conversation satirizes Trump's ill-fated attempt to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Colbert humorously highlights the resistance from reputable organizations like the Associated Press, Google, Apple, and Axios, who steadfastly refuse to adopt the new nomenclature:

Stephen Colbert (04:02): "The Associated Press keeps calling it the Gulf of Mexico because that's what it's called."

He praises MapQuest for maintaining the original name, turning the incident into a symbol of defiance against authoritarian changes:

Stephen Colbert (07:51): "MapQuest continues to list it as the Gulf of Mexico. Yes. Hell, yeah."

RFK Jr.’s Controversial Appointment

The discussion shifts to the Senate confirmation of RFK Jr. as Health and Human Services Secretary. Colbert mocks RFK Jr.'s stance on SSRIs, equating antidepressants to heroin and unfoundedly linking them to school shootings:

Stephen Colbert (08:55): "He has likened SSRIs to heroin and falsely stated that they contribute to school shootings."

Colbert contrasts these baseless claims with the actual, benign side effects advertised in antidepressant commercials, thereby exposing misinformation.

Trump’s Influence on the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Colbert satirizes Trump's self-appointment as chairman of the Kennedy Center, suggesting that he will manipulate programming to favor his political allies:

Stephen Colbert (10:00): "He will purge the Kennedy Center board of everyone appointed by President Biden and replace them with his own political allies, donors, and their wives."

He humorously forecasts the replacement of esteemed members with figures like Kevin Sorbo and Kid Rock, emphasizing the absurdity of political interference in cultural institutions.

Personal Anecdotes and Family Dynamics

The episode takes a personal turn as Colbert shares his experiences of being perceived as a "TV dad." He humorously discusses tax deductions and incorporates a staged "family meeting" with Oliver acting as "Uncle John," offering comical yet pseudo-advice on handling stress and societal pressures:

Stephen Colbert (15:20): "As your uncle's countryman George Harrison once said so beautifully, all things must pass."

John Oliver’s Reflections and Humor

John Oliver recounts attending the 50th anniversary of Saturday Night Live, expressing genuine emotions about witnessing memorable performances by Paul McCartney. Their exchange highlights the camaraderie and mutual respect between the two hosts:

John Oliver (21:18): "This ass can shut a band down."

Public Perception of John Oliver

The conversation delves into how John Oliver is perceived by the public. Oliver explains that his inexpressive demeanor, possibly influenced by cultural differences, leads others to project emotions onto him:

John Oliver (33:01): "I think I'm so inexpressive, people can just project emotions onto me. I think I'm like a Muppet."

They share humorous anecdotes about acting together and handling public interactions, maintaining a light-hearted and relatable tone throughout.

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with a final exchange of humor and appreciation, celebrating John Oliver’s contributions to comedy and political satire. Colbert and Oliver leave listeners with a blend of sharp wit, personal stories, and insightful commentary on the state of current affairs.

Notable Quotes

• Stephen Colbert (03:17): "When the president does it, that means."
• Stephen Colbert (04:02): "But the Associated Press keeps calling it the Gulf of Mexico because that's what it's called."
• John Oliver (21:18): "This ass can shut a band down."
• John Oliver (33:01): "I think I'm so inexpressive, people can just project emotions onto me. I think I'm like a Muppet."

Key Takeaways

• Political Satire: Colbert effectively uses humor and sharp metaphors to critique Donald Trump's presidency and actions.
• Cultural Commentary: The episode highlights the absurdity of changing established norms, such as renaming the Gulf of Mexico, and the resistance from reputable institutions.
• Misinformation Exposure: By contrasting RFK Jr.'s claims about SSRIs with actual advertised side effects, the hosts underscore the importance of factual accuracy.
• Personal Connection: The interplay between Colbert and Oliver humanizes the hosts, making the satire more relatable and impactful.
• Public Perception: The discussion on Oliver's perceived emotional fragility emphasizes how public personas can be misunderstood based on cultural expressions.

This episode stands out for its blend of incisive political critique and personal humor, making complex issues accessible and entertaining for a broad audience.

Transcript

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[Stephen Colbert]

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[Stephen Colbert]

Welcome one and all, to the Late Show. I'm your host, Stephen Colbert. It's good to be back. Good to be back. We had a week off. Here it is. President's Day. Yeah. So to those who celebrate, why.

[John Oliver]

When.

[Stephen Colbert]

I was a kid, probably some of y'all. When I was a kid, wasn't Presidents Day, we celebrated Washington and Lincoln's birthdays, okay? Every February, we would hang our stockings and wait for Abraham Lincoln to fill them with wooden teeth. Now we celebrate all the presidents, and Donald Trump is one of them. Now. I just. I just took a week off, and while I was gone, he did a lot. And it's hard to figure out among all the things he did, which is the most. The most. Which is the most of what he did. Each one of the things he did individually seems so criminal and so catastrophic that sometimes you can't see the forest for the trees. Jim, do we have a shot of the forest? Yeah, there you go. There you go. Okay, I have another metaphor. I have a lot of metaphors. I don't like them, but that's all I have right now. For instance, I hear a lot of people using the old metaphor of the frogs in the slowly boiling water. Except I don't think that metaphor really captures the situation that we're in right now. Yes, there is a pot, but we're all frogs. We're all in the water, and we know that it's going to boil. And half of us are screaming, let's get out of the pot. And half of us are screaming, crank up the heat. Make the stove great again. And we say, but wait, no, no, you're in here, too. You're gonna boil. They go good. I don't care, as long as you die, too. And the chef is leaning over the pot saying, technically, none of you are being boiled. You're being poached. I'm telling. Just your legs. I'm just gonna take the legs and the meat. The meat is gonna fall right off of America's bones. And the thing is, we're not the only ones who know he's breaking the law. So does he. Because if he didn't know that, why this weekend would he post. He who saves his country does not violate any law. That is. That is. That is wild. That is a wild thing. Did he just. Did he just tweet it? Is there any. Do we have. Do we. Do we have video of him saying that? When the president does it, that means.

[John Oliver]

That it is not illegal.

[Stephen Colbert]

No, no, no, no. Jim, the current president. I don't f. Anything that moves. There you go. There it is. That's him. Now, to be clear. To be clear, Trump is pre announcing that he's going to break any law he wants to get whatever he wants. Now, I'm no revolutionary. I can't grow the beard. But that is a tyrannical declaration of power. And as an American patriot, I just have to say, the British are coming. The British are coming. Seriously, John Oliver is our guest tonight.

[John Oliver]

There you go.

[Stephen Colbert]

He can't grow the beard either. We can't grow the beard either. And by the way, that tweet, that Trump tweet, like everything he does is stolen from someone else. The phrase he who saves his country does not violate any law is attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte, although it is apparently a fake quote. Yes, we all know what Napoleon actually said. Waterloo couldn't escape if I wanted to. Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh. Trump does. He wrote that. He wrote that. Trump does have some good qualities. For instance, he's petty and vindictive. Nope, sorry. That's bad again. But remember that stupid thing where Trump unilaterally renamed the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America and said, now everybody's going to say it like he says it? Well, the Associated Press keeps calling it the Gulf of Mexico because that's what it's called. So on Friday, the AP were banned from the Oval Office, and Air Force won indefinitely. You can't get mad at the AP for not using your stupid name. The thing you should get mad at the AP about is not using the Oxford comma in their style guide. Okay, okay. And we all know what the Oxford comma is. Say it with me. It is the comma before the final conjunction in a list of three or more things. For instance, if I invited Sam Sally and Tom to a party without the Oxford comma in this ear? How do I know if Sally and Tom are a couple? They're artificially grouped together. Okay. Or if they're individuals just in a list with Sam, Sally and Tom. Sam needs to know. He doesn't know. He needs to know if he can flirt with Sally without Tom getting all weird about it. Or does Sam have to get with Sally and Tom together? Are they cool with that? What I'm saying is, do you have any idea how many throuples have been destroyed by the lack of an Oxford comma? I'm looking at you, ap, you sick comma, twisted comma, and kink shaming freaks, exclamation mark. Come on, now I'm losing my voice. We're one day back, and I'm losing my voice. Now, a lot of online outlets out there have. They've crumbled under the Gulf of America pressure, including Google, Apple, and Axios. But, ladies and gentlemen, a lone hero stands tall because MapQuest continues to list it as the Gulf of Mexico. Yes. Hell, yeah. Pack up the Buick LeSabre. We're going back to 1996. Grab your collection of Beanie Babies and get ready to dip. Frost your dunkaroos. Because MapQuest is showing us the shining path to revolution. And it is an eight page that you accidentally did in full color. And your mom's going to kill you for it. Toner doesn't grow on trees, Skyler. Now, let's see this outrageous act of rebellion. Yeah, baby. Okay, there it is. Now, I want to believe. Deep in my heart, I want to believe that this stand they're taking is because of the noble convictions of everyone at MapQuest. No one knows. But it is possible that there aren't enough people still working at MapQuest to update anything. And I'm being told we have a live feed of their headquarters right now. Somebody's using MapQuest. How to get from Buffalo, New York, to Six Flags Great Adventure. Okay. Buffalo.

[Sponsor]

Buffalo.

[Stephen Colbert]

Buffalo. Buffalo. Screw it.

[John Oliver]

Buffalo. Buffalo.

[Stephen Colbert]

The important thing, ladies and gentlemen, is not to lose hope. You got to take the long view. Whatever happens, at least you have your health. Okay, about that. Last week, The Senate confirmed RFK Jr. As Health and Human Services Secretary. Well, I guess congratulations are in order. So I'm a big enough man. Congrats, polio. You did it. You and Smallpox are going to have a comeback Lindsay Lohan could only dream of. Kennedy got an immediate jumpstart on the crazy. Within hours of his appointment, he released a statement outlining a plan to look into any threat posed by the prescription of SSRIs like Prozac and Zoloft on the first day on the job and he's going after Zoloft. That is so depressing. And now there's nothing I can take.

[John Oliver]

For.

[Stephen Colbert]

All comes from Kennedy's long held conspiracy theories about pharmaceuticals that antidepressants do things that they don't do. For example, he has likened SSRIs to heroin and falsely stated that they contribute to school shootings. And anyone who's watched a commercial knows those aren't the side effects of taking antidepressants. According to every commercial, it is nausea, dry mouth, constipation, playing volleyball with your friends, getting hugged from behind by a handsome older man, and mom smiling again because she's reabsorbed the shadow lady who was walking with her child during the first part of the commercial. But some shadow ladies here tonight, I see. But in a time when lies are the coin of the realm, never forget that we can take the truth and the beauty of the arts. Unfortunately, Trump also knows that. So last week he named himself chairman of the Kennedy center for the Performing Arts and will dictate all future programming. Now there's a president who's focused on what really matters. Elon, you go fire anyone you want. Here's everyone's Social Security numbers. I gotta go pick the plays. Spoiler alert. It's all cats. We are going to make Skimbleshanks Jellicle again. And no, I have no idea what any of those words mean. Trump purged the Kennedy center board of everyone appointed by President Biden and replaced them with his own political allies, donors, and their wives, including second lady Usha Vance. Well, if her husband has any input, get ready to see Kiss Me Couch Diddler on the poof, and of course, the sound of me porking the sofa. He never did any of that. But I can lie, too. Trump declared himself if I wanted Trump declaring himself emperor of all Culture did not sit well with some of the artists. A bunch of them cut ties with the Kennedy center and canceled shows, including actor and writer Issa Rae, producer Shonda Rhimes, and musician Ben Folds. But Trump will easily replace them with future Kennedy senator luminaries Kid Rock, Kevin Sorbo and Truckasaurus. We got a great show for you tonight. My guest is John Oliver. More Late Show Poncho after this.

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[Stephen Colbert]

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[John Oliver]

Everyone who comes into this clinic is a mystery.

[Stephen Colbert]

We don't know what we're looking for.

[John Oliver]

Their bodies are the scene of the crime. No symptoms and history or clues. You saved her life. We're doctors and we're detectives.

[Sponsor]

I kind of love it if I'm being honest.

[John Oliver]

Solve the puzzle, save the patient.

[Stephen Colbert]

Morris Chestnut is Watson. Now streaming on Paramount plus and new episodes Sundays on cbs. Give it up for Louis Cato and the Late Show Band, everybody. Hey, Lois. Good to see you guys again. Oh, good to see you back, man.

[John Oliver]

Good to see you.

[Stephen Colbert]

Good to see you guys again. Good to see you last night. What an honor. I got to go to SNL 50th anniversary. I heard that last night. I heard everybody was there. Hey, I was there. Like I looked over this way and it was like Jim Gaffigan and John Kerry and Keith Richards and Cher. Geez, it was a crazy night. What was your favorite musical performance? Well, my favorite musical performance. Okay. Yeah. Cause I've already been asked once before what my favorite sketch was, Right. The girl didn't stand up to ask the question. She did, unfortunately. Hey, I thought they were all great. But the one that really got to me was when in the commercial break leading into Paul McCartney playing, you know, he was over there with his folks and they had a horn section there that had a couple the horns. And right before they came back from commercial, I heard this ba ba. They were just tuning up, ba ba. And I went, he's gonna play the long medley. It's gonna go golden slumbers Carry that weight. And then the end. I'm about to watch Paul McCartney sing the end. At the end of the show. I didn't know what to do with those feelings other than yell those words at the people sitting around me. They did not. I was so excited when he. When he finally did that, when he sang the N. And in the end, when he got to that, I looked at and I'm pretty sure that I was so happy that I looked sad. You know what I mean? I had nothing on my face. I was just. I couldn't believe that I had the opportunity to be there. It's like overload. So congratulations on 50 to Saturday night Live and thank you so much for inviting me.

[John Oliver]

I was loved.

[Stephen Colbert]

Now, one thing that I hear from a lot of people is that they think of me as their TV dad. And that is a lovely compliment. Plus, this year I'm claiming all of you as dependent. So if the IRS calls, just have my back on this one, okay? And as your TV dad, from time to time, I like to gather the family together for a little chat. So everyone get in the living room. Dad is calling a family meeting. All right? All right. Hey there, kiddo. Look, I know it's been a while since we had one of our little sit downs like this because. Well, mainly because I'm 60 and when I sit down, I can't get up for a while. But I gotta say, I'm worried about you. I know you're having some icky feelings lately, and I thought you might need some advice from me and your Uncle John from across the pond. Come on out, John. Uncle John. Good to see you. There you go. There you go, bud. There you go. Thanks. There you go.

[John Oliver]

Thanks so much, little buddy.

[Stephen Colbert]

Thanks for your guy. He gives me his little. He gives me his little something.

[John Oliver]

Sure, sure. I just wanted to say first, thanks so much for lending me your room. The stuffed lizard is really cool.

[Stephen Colbert]

That's actually a real lizard.

[John Oliver]

Then I have some terrible news for you.

[Stephen Colbert]

Let's do that later. Okay? Now listen, I asked your Uncle John because you seem stressed lately.

[John Oliver]

Sure.

[Stephen Colbert]

And I thought it would be good to hear from someone who seems stressed all the time.

[John Oliver]

That'd be me. Bud, look, we know. We know that you felt overwhelmed and depressed, like you're powerless to help all of the chaotic things going on around you.

[Stephen Colbert]

Well, we just want to say you should.

[John Oliver]

You should. You absolutely should. You're being very perceptive for your age. It's bad.

[Stephen Colbert]

But the thing is, you may not be able to change everything. That's going on in the world, but it's still helpful just to talk about it every night.

[John Oliver]

Yeah, well, you know, once a week is perfectly fine, actually. You can get a lot of fun.

[Stephen Colbert]

Oh, every night is fresh. Like, you're right there, hot off the presses.

[John Oliver]

And you give more context.

[Stephen Colbert]

Immediacy is the important.

[John Oliver]

That can be overrated.

[Stephen Colbert]

And. And your Uncle John can offer you a unique perspective because he's not from here.

[John Oliver]

That's true. But I come from a place called hbo. We have swearing and dragons.

[Stephen Colbert]

I was. I was talking. I was talking about the uk Right, Right.

[John Oliver]

Sorry. I come from a place called England. We have swearing and dragons. Now, kiddo, I know that you've heard people say a lot of nasty things lately about immigrants like me.

[Stephen Colbert]

Those are lies. Okay? Most immigrants are just good people looking for a better life.

[John Oliver]

Right.

[Stephen Colbert]

They do not eat cats and dogs.

[John Oliver]

That's true. That's true. We eat completely normal stuff like jellied eels, blood pudding, and spotted dick. Okay, hey, hey, hey. Don't laugh at that. That is my cultural heritage.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yes. It's important. Be nice. Okay. That reminds me, champ, we know you're seeing a lot of bullies out there.

[John Oliver]

Sure.

[Stephen Colbert]

But we want you to know bullying is never okay.

[John Oliver]

That is right. Do not, under any circumstances, bully your classmates, no matter how awkward or unpopular they may be.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah. That just encourages them to start tech companies.

[John Oliver]

Right? Or. Or go into comedy.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yes, true. During times like these, we. We all need to focus on how to make a difference. Like. Like try getting involved at a local level.

[John Oliver]

Exactly. You remember all of those slow school zone signs up on Abrams Street? Well, I was the one who stole them. I did that. Now traffic moves so much faster.

[Stephen Colbert]

And so do the children. They do. The thing is, hard times, kiddo, hard times are also an opportunity to connect with people and show your gratitude.

[John Oliver]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

That's why I spent the last couple of months knitting this beautiful sweater for John.

[John Oliver]

Oh, wow. That's beautiful.

[Stephen Colbert]

I love you.

[John Oliver]

That's great. It's also why I spent the last couple of months making Stephen this Late show with Stephen Colbert mug.

[Stephen Colbert]

Thank you. Thank you.

[John Oliver]

It was literally nothing.

[Stephen Colbert]

No, I can tell. Listen, just remember, champ, even when things look bad, nothing lasts forever. As your uncle's countryman George Harrison once said so beautifully, all things must pass.

[John Oliver]

And as John Lennon said, I am the eggman. They are the egg men. I am the walrus. Goo goo gajoob.

[Stephen Colbert]

All poets, all of you equally poets.

[John Oliver]

We have a way with words.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah.

[John Oliver]

Now, kiddo, even if you're feeling down, please. Remember, you can do anything you want.

[Stephen Colbert]

Once you become president. Right after that, it's a non stop orgy of corruption and crime. But for now, the most important thing is to never forget that we love you.

[John Oliver]

And also that your lizard was like that before I put him on the radiator.

[Stephen Colbert]

Love you, champ. We'll be right back with John Oliver. Welcome back, my friends. Folks, my guest tonight is the Emmy award winning host of last week tonight. Please welcome back to the late show my friend and yours, Mr. John Oliver. Talented ass. Very nice.

[John Oliver]

This ass can shut a band down.

[Stephen Colbert]

There you go. Nice to see you again.

[John Oliver]

Good to see you.

[Stephen Colbert]

Nice to have you. This is a bit of a milestone for us tonight.

[John Oliver]

Go ahead.

[Stephen Colbert]

Is that you may or may not know this, but this is. You retake the lead tonight for most times on the show. Yes, I believe you retake it from CBS News anchor John Dickerson.

[John Oliver]

Good.

[Stephen Colbert]

Okay, Good. This is 20.

[John Oliver]

20.

[Stephen Colbert]

20 times.

[John Oliver]

Wow.

[Stephen Colbert]

In nine and a half years.

[John Oliver]

One more appearance and we can drink. Is that how it works?

[Stephen Colbert]

We can drink anytime you want. I've got a full bar back there. Just say the word. I wanted to show you a photograph of. This is the first time you're on the show. This was over nine years ago. And so this is. Let me see, what's the date on this? This is September 30, 2015. This is like two weeks into the show. Brace yourself.

[John Oliver]

Is this gonna hurt?

[Stephen Colbert]

Here you are.

[John Oliver]

Oh.

[Stephen Colbert]

I mean, that's.

[John Oliver]

That is not.

[Stephen Colbert]

That is. Oh, wow.

[John Oliver]

That's not medically ideal, is it? That is.

[Stephen Colbert]

Do you have any. You have. You're dressed better.

[John Oliver]

Yeah. Just aging like a pair of bananas.

[Stephen Colbert]

There you go. Any advice for these fellows other than moisturize?

[John Oliver]

Yeah, just good. Good luck. Good luck, guys.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah, Exactly. The next 10 years are gonna be a.

[John Oliver]

That's right. What a fun time to be doing comedy about the state of the planet. Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Last. Last time you were here. Yes. November night before the election. November something. Fifth, fourth, something like that. I can't remember. Cards on the table, by the way. Yeah, I didn't. I don't remember anything we talked about because I don't think I was listening to a word you said.

[John Oliver]

Yes. You definitely did have a haunted expression.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yes.

[John Oliver]

Like you'd seen a ghost that was gonna be visiting the rest of us in 24 hours time. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean, it's suboptimal time in human history. This.

[Stephen Colbert]

No. And America. Shining city on a hill.

[John Oliver]

Oh.

[Stephen Colbert]

And you. And you are a recent citizen.

[John Oliver]

Yes.

[Stephen Colbert]

Congratulations.

[John Oliver]

Thanks very much. Thanks.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah. How do you feel? Are you still gonna stick it out or are you gonna head back to England?

[John Oliver]

Oh, no, I'm sticking it out. I'm going down with the Titanic. I know there are. There might be life rafts available, but I'm tuning up. Gentlemen, it's been an honor.

[Stephen Colbert]

I think I'm the guy who falls and then hits the propeller before he goes in the water. I think that's spin.

[John Oliver]

Everyone wants to be that guy.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yes.

[John Oliver]

If you're going down, whoosh, off the propeller.

[Stephen Colbert]

Okay, so we're. This is four weeks. Today is four weeks.

[John Oliver]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Seem. Can't believe it's only four weeks, but this is four weeks. Anything leap out to you from the first month?

[John Oliver]

I mean, it's. I don't know how surprised you get to be about any of this. This is true. I think all of this was pretty much foreseeable. The details might not have been right.

[Stephen Colbert]

It's exactly what you thought, but worse than you could have imagined. Yeah.

[John Oliver]

I don't think you get to be that surprised by it. Dr. Phil on the ice raids. You don't get to be surprised by that.

[Stephen Colbert]

People may not know this. Dr. Phil went on raids with Ice. Dr. Phil.

[John Oliver]

Dr. Phil.

[Stephen Colbert]

That dog won't hunt.

[John Oliver]

Dr. Phil, the doctor fiddle.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yes.

[John Oliver]

Yeah, you don't. You don't really get to be surprised by that. You can be surprised that doctors Drew and Oz were not with him, but they didn't go for the.

[Stephen Colbert]

Oz was with Bobby Kennedy. Oh, that's right.

[John Oliver]

That's right.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah.

[John Oliver]

But, yeah, Dr. Phil makes as much sense there as he does in a psychiatrist's office now.

[Stephen Colbert]

Five years ago. Five years ago, toward the end of the first Trump administration, we talked about the things that, you know, got you through, like the tough news cycles. Not just somebody who has to do a show about it, but, you know, just as a citizen of the country.

[John Oliver]

As an actual human beings that actually. A partially functioning human.

[Stephen Colbert]

Exactly. Things that sort of, like, gave your soul some vigor that kept you going. Like some of them last time were the protests at the airports after the Muslim ban. That was a big one.

[John Oliver]

Yes.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yes, that's true.

[John Oliver]

And I think that in creating our show last week, I think what we wanted to do was try and contextualize the feelings that people were having right now. And I think what we hit on was the fact there was understandably some eye rolling of the kind of resistance of 2016. I will say there was a really interesting quote that we used from one of the lawyers inside The DOJ who was fighting some of the travel bans at the time. And he said that seeing people occupy those airports, seeing them protest, was really useful to him in terms of energizing him and also making them feel like they were acting on behalf of the people's will. And he said activism outside our building helped with the activism inside it. And I think that is really important to remember. You can send a message. You don't have to wait just to vote. It's valuable sending messages, even if that message is this, that's sometimes. It's sometimes the strongest message to send.

[Stephen Colbert]

We have to take a quick break and we'll be right back with more John Oliver. Everybody, stick around. Hey, everybody, we're back with your friend and mine, Mr. John Oliver. Last night, season premiere of 12. Season 12.

[John Oliver]

Congratulations. Yes, 12.

[Stephen Colbert]

Does. Yeah, there you go.

[John Oliver]

Counter programmed the SNL 50th anniversary.

[Stephen Colbert]

Was it your idea to launch the show against the largest cavalcade of stars to ever assemble at the most popular sketch show of all time?

[John Oliver]

I mean, it wasn't my idea, but I do find the idea very funny. Just which do you want to see as a human being? A celebration of half a century, of Saturday Night Live, a joyous celebration of that, or one man squawking about government eating itself from within? You know, reasonable people could disagree. I'm not here to yuck anybody's yum.

[Stephen Colbert]

Exactly. And for 12 years of doing your show and before that, obviously great success over at the Daily. You must be, you know, obviously people know who John Oliver is. And the audience is very excited. People see you out in the world. I'm just curious because my mom was so thrilled whenever she was there. What is like, your family, Your mom loved it, right? Loved it, loved it, loved it, Absolutely. But what was it like when you like the folks back home when they.

[John Oliver]

The first time my parents came here, so it was around 2007. So I've been on the Daily show for about a year. I remember I was walking down the street in New York with them, just showing them the city, and someone very nicely said, oh, I really love you on the Daily Show. And I said, thanks, and then kept walking. Then my mom wasn't there anymore and she was now like 10ft back kind of arguing with this woman saying, just wanted to point out to her, you know, it's not all his work. Right. You know, there's a lot of other people that he works with that do really, they deserve more praise than he does. And the thing is, I agree with her, but he did feel like this is not the time.

[Stephen Colbert]

She just.

[John Oliver]

It was. It was a drive by compliment. We don't really need to fact check her in real time, but you can see in many ways, I am my mother's son, I guess.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yes. Is that a. Is that a. Is that an Oliver thing or is that a British thing?

[John Oliver]

I think it's a British thing. I think it's very. It's hard to take compliments as British people. You want to get them off you as quickly as possible. Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Fans of the podcast that we did during the strike. Strike Force Five.

[John Oliver]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Thank you.

[John Oliver]

Damn it.

[Stephen Colbert]

You're welcome. They might remember a story that you told that I just loved. It was. I have the. I have the. You were kind enough to bring this in. And if you don't mind. Do I need to explain it first?

[John Oliver]

Well, what do you show it?

[Stephen Colbert]

Let's talk about. We're talking about our families.

[John Oliver]

Yeah, we're talking about our families. This is on my fridge, right. So I've just peeled it off my fridge and I'll put it back up when I get home. What happened was when my son was like three or four, he was feeling sad at school, and so they helped him write a little message home. And he drew a picture of us, his family. And then this is the picture. And it's nice. It's an objectively nice picture for a kid.

[Stephen Colbert]

And I'll hold it up and you read it how.

[John Oliver]

Sure, yeah, it just says. Yeah, it just says, dear Mommy, I miss you, Hudson. And there's a picture there of like, of just three people. And so I was there with my wife, and my wife said, oh, which one am I? And he pointed. He pointed at her. And then my wife said, who's this? And he said, I don't know.

[Stephen Colbert]

But this is you. But this is me. This is you. This is me holding hands. Holding hands with a heart, over it with another.

[John Oliver]

And I don't know.

[Stephen Colbert]

Go back to the message. Go to the message at the top.

[John Oliver]

That's right. Dear Bobby, I miss you. I miss you. Almost implying I'm confused about the situation that I've been thrust in. Who is this woman? And it was his complete dismissal of, I don't know who that is, but maybe you as an adult could take control of this. I laughed so hard and I could feel my wife's eyes boring a hole in the side of my head. Especially because look, I mean, even for a stick figure, that is like a spin class instructor, stick figure. Nice shoes. Nice shoes.

[Stephen Colbert]

Nice shoes.

[John Oliver]

Hearts between the hand kind of ponytail over to the side. Like Jojo Siwa. It seems like.

[Stephen Colbert]

It seems you really, like your son is ratting you out.

[John Oliver]

Absolutely. There's almost no other explanation. It was. I think I was laughing so hard. Cause I realized I was. I can't explain that way. He's already said I don't know and just walked off. Hey, you come back here now. Come back and explain that nothing is happening.

[Stephen Colbert]

I don't know. Ask dad. Yes.

[John Oliver]

I don't know. She's here a lot, though. Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

We're going to take another little break here, but stick around. We'll be right back with more John Oliver. We're back with the host of Last Week tonight, which launched 12th season last night. Congratulations, Mr. John Oliver. I feel like I have to ask you this one question before you go.

[John Oliver]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Is because again, when you were here last time when I wasn't paying attention to a word you said.

[John Oliver]

I mean, not, I mean, maybe the odd word, but not in any way that you could understand a whole sentence.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yes. I want people to go watch it now to realize that my questions are not like cohesively attached to the last thing that you've said.

[John Oliver]

Yeah. It was almost like if you zoomed into your eyes, you could keep going and you were just like sitting with a goat on top of a mountaintop.

[Stephen Colbert]

It was just a little like a two reel or of like monkey washing a duck.

[John Oliver]

And I'm just like the Charlie Brown.

[Stephen Colbert]

Well, we pointed this out last time that the Daily Beast had called you out with this headline, teary Eyed John Oliver Begs reluctant voters to back Kamala Harris.

[John Oliver]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

And you swore that you were not.

[John Oliver]

Actually, I was not teary eyed at all. Again, I'm British. I'm dead inside. So I don't express emotions positively.

[Stephen Colbert]

There's been another since then because you did interview for the New York Times.

[John Oliver]

Yes.

[Stephen Colbert]

And they said John Oliver is still working through the rage.

[John Oliver]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

So why do you think everyone thinks you're so emotionally, I don't know, Fragile John.

[John Oliver]

I think I'm so inexpressive, people can just project emotions onto me. I think I'm like a Muppet. I don't really emulate any. So you can think, oh, he's angry now, or sad. And I'm probably none of those things. I'm not good enough as an actor to conjure up plausible emotions.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah. And I've acted with you.

[John Oliver]

Yeah, I know. I did.

[Stephen Colbert]

I did. Well, we were both in the Love Guru.

[John Oliver]

No, we did. I did a community for Years. And there was this Jonathan Banks, real actor, right. He came in at one point before we were gonna do a scene together and he said, I've just been thinking about our characters and what's happened before this and you want to talk about it. And I said, oh, Jonathan, listen, I haven't thought about it at all. I'm just gonna say the words that I've remembered in kind of inflections that I think are the funniest. I can't help you at all in this situation. I know actors sometimes act with tennis balls. I'm gonna be a tennis ball for you. I would act like I'm not here. And he kind of went, okay, good, that's actually useful to know. And he was very good. So I just watched him act at point blank range. Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

People watch you to decompress, you know. Why would you do that? I don't know.

[John Oliver]

That's like stabbing yourself to Cal.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yes.

[John Oliver]

What about me suggest decompression?

[Stephen Colbert]

I don't know, but they do.

[John Oliver]

What do you relax with a nice mug of hot cocoa and watch him talk about mobile home financing schemes?

[Stephen Colbert]

What, what do you, what do you. How do you decompress? Cuz I, I am all into British crime procedurals. What if someone gets murdered with a Yorkshire accent? I am there. I'm 100% there.

[John Oliver]

I don't care about that.

[Stephen Colbert]

I don't care at all. But I just love to watch English people kill each other.

[John Oliver]

That makes more sense.

[Stephen Colbert]

It's getting my land back.

[John Oliver]

So if you hear someone say they've found another body on the moor, you go, oh, perfect.

[Stephen Colbert]

Get some chamomile and settle in.

[John Oliver]

Send a bunch of unarmed policemen to go fix it.

[Stephen Colbert]

Exactly. What do you do? What is your decompress there?

[John Oliver]

I watch, well, I watch Liverpool, a football team that I support. And I also watch the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City City Spectacular show. Wow.

[Stephen Colbert]

I. That react, that reaction from the audience and your enthusiasm is genuine. I don't know if we have time to go into it, do we? Maybe we save this for the next show here. I'll save it for the next.

[John Oliver]

Absolutely. I will explain to you next time I'm here. I'll give you the entire backstory of these absolute maniac women. Why they are so funny and why a significant portion of them are going to poison prison. It's fantastic television. In fact, I'm really here to promote not just hbo, but the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City is on Bravo.

[Stephen Colbert]

Until we meet again. The new season of last week tonight airs Sundays on hbo. John Oliver, everybody. 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.