Podcast Summary: The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert
Episode: Kid Questions Ft. Guy Fieri
Release Date: April 12, 2025
Introduction to the "Kid Questions" Segment
Stephen Colbert introduces a special segment dedicated to answering questions from children, aiming to provide parents a brief respite while engaging with their kids' curious minds. He humorously recounts the challenges in naming the segment, ultimately settling on "Stephen Colbert Mature Content for Kids."
"First they called it Steven Takes your Kids, which was bad. Then they called it Steven's Re Education Camp, which was awful, really bordering on offensive. And this time I told them, just give me a title that explains this is Content for Kids... So it's time for Stephen Colbert Mature Content for Kids. Do you want me to go to jail?"
— Stephen Colbert [01:52]
Engaging with Young Inquirers
The segment features a series of children's questions, each met with Stephen’s signature blend of humor and pseudo-insight. Below are the key exchanges:
1. Where Does Dirt Come From?
Question by Ellie: "Where does dirt come from?"
Colbert's Response:
"Most dirt comes from the ground, but the really good dirt comes from your co-worker when she has one too many margaritas at happy hour. I mean, can we talk about Alan?"
— Stephen Colbert [02:55]
2. Why Do Ceilings Have Spots?
Question by Lily: "Why do ceilings have spots?"
Colbert's Response:
"Oh, those aren't actually spots, Lily. Those are just bugs that splattered on them when they were running really fast. His whole body is a windshield."
— Stephen Colbert [03:17]
Note: There appears to be a transcription error with "cenas" likely being "ceilings," adjusted for coherence.
3. Why Do Fire Trucks Have Lights?
Question by Keon: "Why do fire trucks have lights?"
Colbert's Response:
"Fire trucks have lights to distract the fire, okay? The lights start flashing, the fire looks in that direction, and then, bam. The fire gets punched in the face, okay? That's why they're called firefighters."
— Stephen Colbert [03:32]
4. How Do Dinosaurs Talk?
Question by Owen: "How do dinosaurs talk?"
Colbert's Response:
"I have some terrible news. The dinosaurs can't talk, Owen. They're dead."
— Stephen Colbert [03:55]
5. Why Is Light So Fast?
Question by (Unnamed): "Why is light so fast?"
Colbert's Response:
"Light is fast because it doesn't weigh very much. That's why it's called light. In fact, some light is so light that it travels at the speed of light, and that's why light is pretty lit."
— Stephen Colbert [04:11]
6. Are Avocados Considered a Fruit or a Vegetable?
Question by Hannah: "Are avocados considered a fruit or a vegetable?"
Colbert's Response:
"Fun fact. Avocados are neither a fruit nor a vegetable. They are an excuse to call eating a whole bowl of tortilla chips health. This is lowering my cholesterol."
— Stephen Colbert [04:30]
7. Why Do We Need [Incomplete Question]
Question by Andecy: "My question is, why do we need..."
Colbert's Response:
"To eat well, Andecy? To answer this one, I called in a guy who's an expert at eating."
Special Guest Appearance: Guy Fieri
Guy Fieri joins the segment to provide a flavorful answer to Andecy's incomplete question about the necessity of eating.
"Scientists say you need to eat in order to get energy. But I can tell you the truth. The real reason you need to eat is to support a little economy of a place we call Flavortown. I mean, eating is the only business we have in Flavortown. Now, if you stop eating, we'll have to, well, close the corn dog factory and turn off the donkey sauce fountain and shut down our light rail system. Or as we like to call it, gravy trade. So keep eating, kids."
— Guy Fieri [04:59]
Continuing the Q&A
8. Are Any of Your Relatives Bears?
Question by (Unnamed): "Are any of your relatives bears?"
Colbert's Response:
"I don't think I'm related to any bears. Though I do have a strong desire to eat twice my body weight in salmon and go to sleep for the next five months."
— Stephen Colbert [05:33]
9. Origins of the Big Bang Materials
Question by Luca: "I know we were created from the Big Bang, but like, it was things moving around. But how did the things moving around appear there?"
Colbert's Response:
"Complex question, Luca, but I think I can handle it. You're asking how the materials that formed the single point of infinite density that caused the Big Bang got there in the first place. And of course, the Big Bang itself was the beginning of space and time. So we need to look back at a time before there was such a thing as time. But how did something explode if nothing was there and no place for it to be? Okay, no problem. Let's just review the facts here. We just have to imagine a space where there's no space at a time when time didn't exist yet."
— Stephen Colbert [05:50]
Conclusion and Call to Action
Stephen wraps up the segment by encouraging parents to engage with their children's questions and inviting listeners to submit their own questions for future episodes.
"Well, kids, I hope that answers all your questions. And parents, if your kids have questions at home, please post a video to social media with the hashtag #ColbertKidQuestions or submit a video to the link below. And we just might feature it in our next installment of Seated Colbert Mature Content for Kids."
— Stephen Colbert [05:51]
He also promotes The Late Show YouTube channel for more exclusive content.
"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."
— Stephen Colbert [06:00]
Guest Spotlight: Tommy Morrissey Advertisement
Towards the end of the episode, a brief advertisement features Tommy Morrissey, a 14-year-old golfer overcoming physical challenges with the support of Bank of America.
"I've been counted out, dismissed, passed over, told I'd never be a golfer with just one arm. But the only thing that feels better than proving people wrong is out driving them. I'm 14 year old golfer Tommy Morrissey and I want to be remembered for my ability as a champion partner of the Masters."
— Tommy Morrissey [07:10]
Key Takeaways
- Humorous Education: Stephen Colbert blends humor with simplified explanations to address children's inquisitive minds, making learning entertaining.
- Guest Appearance: Guy Fieri adds a flavorful twist to the discussion, emphasizing the importance of eating with his signature enthusiasm for Flavortown.
- Engagement: The segment encourages interactive participation from both kids and parents, fostering a community of curious learners.
- Promotion of Resources: Stephen highlights additional content avenues, such as YouTube, for listeners to continue engaging with The Late Show.
This episode exemplifies the show's commitment to blending comedy with meaningful content, catering to a diverse audience that includes both adults and their inquisitive children.