The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert

Guest: Mandy Patinkin (Extended)
Date: December 20, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of The Late Show Pod Show features the ever-charming and candid Mandy Patinkin in an extended conversation with Stephen Colbert. The discussion dances from Hanukkah traditions and culinary mishaps, to the art of advice-giving with family, reflections on career-defining moments, stories of love and marriage, and previews of Mandy’s latest work, all wrapped in the warmth and wit of two storytellers at ease.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Hanukkah Traditions & The Art of the Latke (01:57–03:36)

• Mandy’s Hanukkah plans: Low-key celebration with friends (e.g., Zoran Mamdani) and teaching the art of potato latkes.
• Latke recipe tips: Mandy references his mom’s recipe, humorously warning against replicating his and his wife’s “messed up” version.
• Preparation mastery: Mandy stresses, “The big thing is you gotta get the water out of the potatoes and squeeze.” (03:04)
• Latke toppings: Lively debate on applesauce vs. sour cream—Mandy admits to using both, “at the same time...yeah, same latke.” (03:22)

2. On Advice and the New Podcast, Don’t Listen to Us (03:43–04:49)

• Mandy and his family host an advice podcast, though he cheekily doubts his qualifications.
• On giving advice: “It shows the degradation of the American public.” (04:04)
• On marriage dynamics: Mandy credits his wife Kathryn for correcting his advice, illustrating their healthy partnership.
• Best personal advice: “Talk less and listen more to my wife.” (04:34)
  • This wisdom comes via therapy—“Shut up, Mandy.” (04:44)

3. Professional Wisdom & Anecdotes (05:08–08:53)

• Bob Fosse’s advice: “Just do. Take the work. Energy breeds energy. Just take the work. Say yes. Do the work.” (05:38)
• Gene Kelly encounter:
  • Gene advises, “We never learned anything from our successes...our failures, we turned them upside down and inside out. And they taught us everything we know.” (08:12)
  • Mandy calls this “the greatest professional advice and maybe life advice that I might have ever heard.” (08:53)

4. Early Love Story: Meeting Kathryn Grody (08:53–13:57)

• First meeting: Mandy met Kathryn in a LA pizza restaurant but didn’t remember her; their relationship blossomed during a play (The Split).
• Onstage to offstage romance: Describes a scene involving improvisation that felt like “six months of courting in 45 minutes.” (11:27)
• Flowers and fate: His dating advice: “Pick a cheap flower so that you can afford it your whole life.” (12:53)
  • Mandy presented Kathryn with yellow button mum roses and declared, “I’m going to marry you.” Kathryn replied, “You don’t know what you’re talking about.” (13:07–13:22)
• Longevity: “47 years together, 45 years married. And you can do it too.” (13:45)

5. The New Project: The Artist (14:00–16:58)

• Show premise: A Gilded Age murder mystery streaming on “the Network,” featuring an ensemble cast including Patti LuPone, Hank Azaria, and Danny Huston.
• Clips and characterization: Mandy’s character is killed early, with the plot unfolding around “who killed me, and everybody had a good reason to kill me.” (15:10)
• On playing the role: Initially declined the script, but accepted after learning it’s played as a “Russian farce”—meaning 100% committed yet comedic. (16:12)

6. Energy, Creativity, and Family (17:03–18:14)

• Energy philosophy: “Energy leads to energy, and having you here gives me such energy.” (17:08)
• **Open “contact high” between Stephen and Mandy from their dynamic conversation.

7. On Mushrooms and Final Wishes (17:19–18:20)

• Unexpected family proposal: Mandy humorously discusses his kids’ encouragement for him and Kathryn to try mushrooms (psilocybin).
• On-air pact: “If there ever, ever is a last show, I would like to come on with my wife and do those mushrooms with you.” (17:54)
• Stephen promptly books the bit: “You’re booked.” (18:12)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It shows the degradation of the American public.” – Mandy, on his podcast’s premise (04:04)
• “Talk less and listen more to my wife.” – Mandy (04:34)
• “Energy breeds energy. Just take the work. Say yes. Do the work.” – Bob Fosse’s advice, recounted by Mandy (05:38)
• “We never learned anything from our successes…our failures, we turned them upside down and inside out.” – Gene Kelly, recounted by Mandy (08:12)
• “Pick a cheap flower so that you can afford it your whole life.” – Mandy’s advice for romance (12:53)
• “47 years together, 45 years married. And you can do it too.” – Mandy (13:45)
• “If there ever, ever is a last show, I would like to come on with my wife and do those mushrooms with you.” – Mandy (17:54)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Hanukkah & Latkes: 01:57–03:36
• Podcast and Advice: 03:43–04:49
• Professional Lessons: 05:08–08:53
• Love Story: 08:53–13:57
• New Show ‘The Artist’: 14:00–16:58
• Energy & Family: 17:03–17:19
• Mushrooms & Finale: 17:19–18:20

Episode Tone

Warm, irreverent, and deeply personal, the episode is full of self-deprecating humor, reflective moments, and genuine camaraderie between Colbert and Patinkin. The two skillfully balance levity with thoughtful storytelling, making the episode a delight to both devoted Mandy fans and newcomers alike.