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Stephen Colbert
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Boom.
Stephen Colbert
Boom. Mark, let us have a silly one. I mean, we were off the air when this story broke, and I never even got to do jokes like, now we know how Trump got a taste for politics. And this means the President's recent legislation is technically Trump's second big beautiful bill. Okay, okay, I told you. Okay, we've had our fun. Ha ha. But the truth is important. It was not Bill Clinton. So next, the folks on the Internet started claiming Ghislaine Maxwell had a horse named Bub. Check the batteries. I don't know what's wrong with this thing. So intrepid reporters reached out to Epstein's brother, whose spokesperson said the 2018 message was not about a horse. That's actually too bad. It could have been Trump's most stable relationship. Thank you very much. Thank you. Now, again, none of this is true, I'm being told, but I'm going to go ahead and say that if people have to deny that you went, shall we say, Churchill Downs on a horse, you've already lost. I don't know what you've lost, but it's gone forever. Keep in mind, these emails weren't even the ones we're waiting for. They were again released by Epstein. The Justice Department still won't release their Epstein files. But that might be about to change, because last week, Arizona Representative Anelita Grijalva was finally sworn in. And. As promised, she became the final signature needed on the discharge petition, which could force the release of the Epstein files. So when this happened, Trump began, and I don't want to get bogged down in psychological jargon here, freaking out and pressuring other House Republicans who had signed the petition to withdraw. It got so serious that top Justice Department officials summoned Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert to a meeting in the White House Situation Room. Yes, so named after the little known founding father from New Jersey, Mike the Situation Sorrentino. Yeah, yeah, he's in that new Ken Burns documentary now. Boebert stuck to her guns. So Trump tried intimidating other anti pedophile Republicans. On Saturday, he posted lightweight Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Brown Greengrass turns brown when it begins to rot. Betrayed the entire Republican Party. If you have to add a footnote, listen up. Your mama is so fat that when I say she sits around the house, what I mean is she takes up the entire cubic volume of a standard American home. I'm talking two bedrooms, two and a half bath, zestimate. Zestimate of $400,000. Your mom. Your mom is a chunko. Is the gist of my insults. When intimidating MAGA failed, Trump tried another desperate ploy posting. I will be asking AG Pam Bondi and the Department of Justice, together with our great patriots at the FBI, to investigate Jeffrey Epstein's involvement and relationship with Bill Clinton. Larry Summers, Reid Hoffman, JP Morgan Chase, and many other people and institutions. JP Morgan and Chase. Wow. He's telling the United States Attorney General to investigate his political opponents for Bill Clinton. That's gotta come as a real blow. Hey, great joke, Steven. Thanks. Sex positive stallion. So Trump did everything he could to quash the vote on the files and distract from him, but none of it worked. In fact, here's Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie yesterday talking about GOP support for the bill. I think we could have a deluge of Republicans. There could be a hundred or more fun fact deluge of Republicans. Also the name of America's most boring water park. Okay, so sounds like a bunch of Republicans are going to vote for this bill to release the Epstein files. And after it was obvious he was going to lose, Trump posted House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files because we have nothing to hide. I don't care. All I do care about is that Republicans get back on point. Ironically, if he really wants Republicans to get back on point, and if he really has nothing to hide, Trump as President can order the Department of Justice to release the Epstein files without Congressional authorization anytime he wants. Yes, if he wants, Trump can provide the full release, something he did not provide. A horse. We got a great show for you tonight.
Julia Roberts
Coming up.
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Julia Roberts
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Stephen Colbert
Julia, it's always nice talking to you. I've gotten to talk to you a few times over the years and we're both empty nesters. I mean, we share that in common. I feel like our relationship's getting pretty tight these days.
Julia Roberts
Yeah.
Stephen Colbert
But even given how close we are, there are some ways that you don't know some people. You know, it's like there's this armor we put up between each other. And what do we most want to be? Not alone. We want. We want to be known by other people. And so what we have done just really as a service to some of our guests here at the Late show, is we've come up with something called the Colbert Questionnaire. It's a series of questions that are. That have been psychodynamically charged in order to get underneath the tripwire of our own defenses. And so you will be fully known to people if you answer these questions honestly. And I'm wondering whether you have the courage to be known.
Julia Roberts
Do you have the courage to know me? To receive me?
Stephen Colbert
We will do our best. We will brace ourselves. All right, brave girls, here we go. Colbert questionnaire. Julia Roberts, what is the best sandwich? Oh, yeah, we don't play. We don't play here.
Julia Roberts
Well, God, there's so many. Okay. The best sandwich of my youth.
Stephen Colbert
Okay.
Julia Roberts
Everyone's gonna hate. But then I grew up. The best sandwich of my youth. Peanut butter and jelly with sour cream and onion potato chips smashed in it.
Stephen Colbert
Nothing wrong with that. I'm not hating on that.
Julia Roberts
This is a house divided right now. Did you hear that?
Stephen Colbert
Oh, 100%.
Julia Roberts
Yeah.
Stephen Colbert
100%.
Julia Roberts
Yeah.
Stephen Colbert
Okay. On what bread?
Julia Roberts
Wheat. Oh, not white, because it would stick in the gap in my teeth.
Stephen Colbert
Did you used to have a gap in your teeth? Could you whistle through it?
Julia Roberts
No, but I could put a popsicle stick in it. I was adorable.
Stephen Colbert
What was the first concert you attended?
Julia Roberts
Cheap Trick.
Stephen Colbert
Cheap Trick. Rick Nielsen.
Julia Roberts
Yeah.
Stephen Colbert
Holy cow.
Julia Roberts
It's one of the cooler, like, like, rando facts of my life. I want you to want me.
Stephen Colbert
Your mama's all right.
Julia Roberts
Yes.
Stephen Colbert
Daddy's all right.
Julia Roberts
Yes.
Stephen Colbert
Wow. That's great.
Julia Roberts
And my mom thought I was at Donna Walters house studying for a math.
Stephen Colbert
Test, and you snuck out to go see Cheap Trip.
Julia Roberts
Yeah. Which I never did that. Honestly, I never did that.
Stephen Colbert
But it was worth it for that.
Julia Roberts
It was. Yeah.
Stephen Colbert
Damn.
Julia Roberts
Thank you for that response. Yeah.
Stephen Colbert
Rick Nielsen wrote the theme song to the Colbert Pour.
Julia Roberts
Is that the truth?
Stephen Colbert
Yeah. Because I called him up and I said, I'd love you if you wrote the theme song to my show. Because my character, the Stephen Colbert who was the character that in my mind, every night before he went out to do his show, he would look into the mirror and sing along with the entirety of I Want yout To Want Me Live from Budokan.
Julia Roberts
Wow.
Stephen Colbert
That was my backstory.
Julia Roberts
I think you were putting time into that.
Stephen Colbert
Yeah, backstory, not back. Reality backstory.
Julia Roberts
Got it.
Stephen Colbert
What is the scariest animal. Oh.
Julia Roberts
Hyena.
Stephen Colbert
Hyena. Oh. I wouldn't want to be left alone with a hyena.
Julia Roberts
Anaconda.
Stephen Colbert
You only get one. Hyena or anaconda. I will let you shift. Put five seconds on the clock. I will let you shift. If you'd like to switch to anaconda.
Julia Roberts
Honey badger.
Stephen Colbert
Judges. They will allow it. They will allow it. Apples or oranges?
Julia Roberts
Apples.
Stephen Colbert
Yeah.
Julia Roberts
Oh, yeah.
Stephen Colbert
Can't put peanut butter on an orange.
Julia Roberts
You cannot.
Stephen Colbert
Have you ever asked someone for their autograph?
Julia Roberts
Yes.
Stephen Colbert
May I ask who?
Julia Roberts
Yul Brenner.
Stephen Colbert
That's a good one.
Julia Roberts
Gosh, I love you people.
Stephen Colbert
Do you still have it?
Julia Roberts
I don't think I do.
Stephen Colbert
Where did it happen?
Julia Roberts
At the Atlanta Civic center where my dad took me to see the king. And I still determined to make me cry. Not gonna do it.
Stephen Colbert
Aw. Yul Brenner or dad?
Julia Roberts
Both.
Stephen Colbert
Aw.
Julia Roberts
Yeah.
Stephen Colbert
That's lovely.
Julia Roberts
I feel so seen right now.
Stephen Colbert
What do you think happens when we die?
Julia Roberts
We just do this for eternity?
Stephen Colbert
I hope so. I hope so. St. Peter has his own blue cards.
Julia Roberts
On and on and on.
Stephen Colbert
There you go. Just one big press tour.
Julia Roberts
You and me.
Stephen Colbert
There you go.
Julia Roberts
And all of these people.
Stephen Colbert
We have to take a quick break. We'll be right back with more Julia Roberts, everybody.
Julia Roberts
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Stephen Colbert
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Julia Roberts
Yeah.
Stephen Colbert
Give it a try@mintmobile.com Switch upfront payment.
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Julia Roberts
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Stephen Colbert
Hey everybody. We're back here with the wonderful Julia Roberts. Favorite action movie action.
Julia Roberts
Rambo.
Stephen Colbert
Rambo. Why not First Blood? Technically It's First Blood.
Julia Roberts
Okay.
Stephen Colbert
Okay. It's quality. It's a quality movie.
Julia Roberts
Yeah.
Stephen Colbert
It's a quality action movie. It's your favorite action movie.
Julia Roberts
It's not.
Stephen Colbert
It's not Anaconda?
Julia Roberts
No. Is the Untouchables an action movie?
Stephen Colbert
Yeah, I'd say so. Ok. A baby carriage scene at least.
Julia Roberts
Yeah, I'm gonna say that.
Stephen Colbert
Yeah. Window or aisle?
Julia Roberts
Window.
Stephen Colbert
Ok.
Julia Roberts
But I'm curious, like, what is the point of the aisle?
Stephen Colbert
Not having to go past someone when you need to go to the bathroom. That's the point of the aisle.
Ad Lib/Commercial Voice
Ok. A house divided eilers.
Stephen Colbert
Yep. Yeah. Okay. Favorite smell?
Julia Roberts
Oh, my husband's neck.
Stephen Colbert
His what?
Julia Roberts
Lily of the Valley.
Stephen Colbert
Your husband's neck.
Julia Roberts
Okay.
Stephen Colbert
That's what you said.
Julia Roberts
Oh, ok. No, that's fine. That's what you said.
Stephen Colbert
No, you said, does he spray a little Lily of the Valley on the neck?
Julia Roberts
No, he doesn't.
Stephen Colbert
No. But Lily of the Valley is lovely.
Julia Roberts
It is.
Stephen Colbert
You know, it's the very short window of the year when the lily of the valley is sniffable.
Julia Roberts
Patchouli.
Ad Lib/Commercial Voice
Really?
Julia Roberts
That would just.
Stephen Colbert
Patchouli?
Julia Roberts
Yeah.
Stephen Colbert
Ok. Does he wear a cologne or just the neck?
Julia Roberts
He doesn't. He just.
Stephen Colbert
His neck smells.
Julia Roberts
His neck smell?
Stephen Colbert
Yes. Least favorite smell.
Julia Roberts
Honestly, it's. It's. And I love my boys. I have two. But when the socks are waiting too long for me to do the laundry.
Stephen Colbert
Sure. Yeah.
Julia Roberts
It's nothing against them. It's just time. Boys in general, it's just time and sweat.
Stephen Colbert
Earliest memory.
Julia Roberts
This morning.
Stephen Colbert
Other than today. The earliest memory on the first. Earliest memory you can remember.
Julia Roberts
Gosh, Honestly, it's, you know, just my family in Georgia in a park where my parents worked. Being with my sister kind of off to the side and. Yeah. Not having any idea who all the people were, like, what they were doing. They were putting on giant papier mache heads. What did I know?
Stephen Colbert
This was like, why were they putting on giant paper mache heads? Did they run A parents had a theater.
Ad Lib/Commercial Voice
At a theater.
Stephen Colbert
They did. Oh, that's wonderful. How old do you think you were?
Julia Roberts
Three.
Stephen Colbert
That's pretty early.
Julia Roberts
Yeah.
Stephen Colbert
Okay. Cats or dogs?
Julia Roberts
Well, don't tell my cat, but dogs.
Stephen Colbert
Okay. Your cat's gonna be like, as if I care.
Julia Roberts
Now, our cat.
Stephen Colbert
Do you have dogs? Have a dog?
Julia Roberts
We have dogs and we have a cat and our cat is a dog in a cat suit, basically. She's rad. Yeah.
Stephen Colbert
You only get one song to listen to for the rest of your life. Oh, what is it now? You don't have to listen to it continually. This isn't like some sort of torture situation. But when you go to listen to this is the music that you get to pick. So what would you pick if you could only have one?
Julia Roberts
That is such a hard question.
Stephen Colbert
Well.
Julia Roberts
There. Maybe like. I'm sorry. I know.
Stephen Colbert
No, all the time in the world.
Julia Roberts
Ok. Because now I'm conflicted. At first I thought of nothing and now I have things that are saying, no, pick me, pick me inside of me.
Stephen Colbert
Yeah. Yeah.
Julia Roberts
And I'm thinking there's this incredible song. I don't know if this is the name of it, but it's the first words of it. Oh, Darling by Supertramp. Oh, I have one person who loves me. Yeah, right.
Stephen Colbert
Yeah.
Julia Roberts
Yeah. Okay, so you and me on that desert island. Do you know the song I'm talking about?
Stephen Colbert
I do know, Darling. Yeah, Yeah. I love Supertramp.
Julia Roberts
Okay.
Stephen Colbert
Yeah.
Julia Roberts
Support me.
Stephen Colbert
Hey.
Julia Roberts
No, you reacted like.
Stephen Colbert
Oh. Oh, that's a good thing. Oh, darling. I'm sorry to have disappointed you. I would have gone with breakfast in America, but. What number am I thinking of?
Julia Roberts
5.
Stephen Colbert
Sorry, what?
Ad Lib/Commercial Voice
5.
Stephen Colbert
Nope. Speaking of 5, describe the rest of your life in five words.
Julia Roberts
Oh, it's going to be spectacular.
Stephen Colbert
Julia. Congratulations, you are known. Julia Roberts, 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. This November, action is free on Pluto tv. Go on the run with Jack Reacher. Every suspect was a train killer. Then buckle up for drive. World War Z. Every human being we save Just one less fight and Charlie's Angels.
Julia Roberts
Damn, I hate to fly.
Stephen Colbert
Launch into sci fi adventure with the fifth Element and laugh through the mayhem in Tropic Thunder. What is going on on here? All the thrills, all for free. Pluto TV stream now. Hey Never. Now streaming on Paramount.
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Plus Brandon was the full package.
Julia Roberts
I felt like I met my guy.
Stephen Colbert
Stop, stop. Stop talking. God.
Julia Roberts
But he's not even close to the.
Ad Lib/Commercial Voice
Person that I thought he was.
Julia Roberts
When you do break up with Brandon.
Stephen Colbert
That is when the stalking begins.
Julia Roberts
I just knew something horrific was about to happen. I saw the devil in his eyes. We're gonna tell everyone what he did.
Stephen Colbert
Don't date Brandon. Now streaming on Paramount Plus.
Episode: Julia Roberts' Colbert Questionert | Bubba Troubba
Date: November 18, 2025
This episode features Stephen Colbert’s signature comic monologue—this time, fixated on the ongoing drama surrounding the release of Epstein-related documents and the viral “Bubba” email—followed by a delightful, revealing conversation with guest Julia Roberts. In her segment, Roberts participates in the "Colbert Questionnaire," providing candid, humorous, and sentimental insights that offer fans a rare glimpse into her personality and values.
(00:53 – 11:35)
Epstein Document Dump:
Colbert unpacks the political crossfire after Congress released new documents from the Epstein trove, skewering both parties’ media strategies and the unintended consequences for Trump.
The “Bubba” Email:
With his trademark irreverence, Colbert riffs on the now-infamous 2018 email from Jeffrey Epstein’s brother referencing “Trump blowing Bubba,” exploring internet theories and the official denial that the “Bubba” in question refers to Bill Clinton or even a horse.
Republican Infighting and Trump’s Response:
The host details the legislative battle over releasing the Epstein files, Trump’s frantic attempts to pressure Republicans, and the comedic chaos that ensued, including Trump’s flamboyant social media posts.
(13:07 – 24:08)
Colbert and Roberts dive into a quick but deep “Colbert Questionnaire” segment, balancing earnestness and levity throughout.
Roberts: “Oh, it’s going to be spectacular.” (24:02)
Colbert closes: “Julia. Congratulations, you are known.” (24:08)
Colbert (on political document releases):
“That’s gotta hurt. When Jeffrey Epstein calls you a bad guy. That’s like an airport muffin accusing you of being drunk.” (03:19)
Julia Roberts (on her iconic sandwich):
“Peanut butter and jelly with sour cream and onion potato chips smashed in it.” (14:21)
Colbert (on afterlife):
“I hope so. St. Peter has his own blue cards.” (17:33)
Julia Roberts (on favorite smell):
“Oh, my husband’s neck.” (20:04)
Roberts (on her parents’ theater):
“My parents had a theater. I was three.” (21:55)
The episode is quintessentially Colbert: sharp, satirical political humor followed by genuine, warm, but still playful interview moments. Julia Roberts brings vulnerability, nostalgia, and a hint of the unexpected, all while keeping step with Stephen’s rapid wit. It’s a blend of comedy, cultural commentary, and authentic celebrity insight.