Loading summary
Stephen Colbert
Hey, everybody. Stephen Colbert here about to read the copy for our sponsor. This is from our friends at Wonderful Pistachios. And I was the wonderful pistachio spokesman for years. Yeah, I have a real close association with nut meat. Okay. You know what they say when they reach for a snack? Don't hold back. And that's exactly the approach with Wonderful Pistachios. The don't hold back snack. These little wonders are so tasty, it feels like getting away with something. But surprise. Each serving has 6 grams of protein and 0 grams of regret. That's right. No guilt. Just glory, glory in our nuts. Whether it's a satisfying crack of in shell pistachios, and that's capitalized in shell, or the smooth, instant gratification of no shells. No judgment. That's just it. Just eat. No judgment. I take issue with one thing. It's instant gratification. It's super tasty smooth.
Jon Batiste
It's a hard nut smooth.
Mariska Hargitay
Exactly.
Stephen Colbert
I mean, even out of the shell, it's still a nut.
Jon Batiste
We can't disparage the nuts.
Rebecca Koffler
You.
Stephen Colbert
I'm not disparaging the nut. I'm describing the nut.
Jon Batiste
Don't disparage any flavors.
Stephen Colbert
I'm not. I am celebrating the pistachio right now. I'm on board. I love pistachios. I love. I love crushed pistachio. Like a pistachio crusted trout.
Mariska Hargitay
Oh, unbelievable.
Stephen Colbert
Instead of a trout amandine, a trout pistachio. Fantastic. Enough butter? Who cares?
Jon Batiste
Very good.
Stephen Colbert
And I love pistachio ice cream.
Jon Batiste
Have you had the sea salt and vinegar? Wonderful pistachio. It's delicious. I get them.
Stephen Colbert
I didn't even know I get them.
Jon Batiste
Before the softball games.
Stephen Colbert
But that's. You see, it's been a while since I've been the spokesman for wonderful pistachios. I didn't realize we'd achieved new pistachio technology.
Jon Batiste
Yeah. Yeah.
Stephen Colbert
Wow. Wonderful pistachios has every snack style covered. Right now. There's an obsession with jalapeno lime. There is an obsession session. It's almost a disorder. It's spicy, it's zesty. It's basically a flavor roller coaster in a nut. Snacking on the go. Grab a bag of no shells. Feeling contemplative and want to work for it a little. So earning it, they're saying if you want to earn your nut, crack open those in shell beauties. Either way, it's snacking like a champ. So the next time hunger strikes, don't hold back. Unless it's a hunger strike. And then it's important that you do, because whatever you're doing that for, I'm sure it's a worthwhile cause. Snack like you mean it with wonderful pistachios. Visit wonderfulpistachios.com to learn more.
Jon Batiste
That was a wonderful.
Stephen Colbert
I wonder what more there is to learn. We just told them so much. We just told them so much about pistachios. But evidently there's a whole other world. There's an unexplored vista.
Jon Batiste
They got a bunch of flavors. They got dill pickle, jalapeno lime, as we learned, smoky barbecue. There's a lot of different flavors.
Stephen Colbert
Wow. And I would not disparage any of them.
Jon Batiste
No, no, no.
Stephen Colbert
Bring it on.
Jon Batiste
Nothing bad to say.
Stephen Colbert
Nut me, nut, nut me with nut meat.
Jon Batiste
We're nut.
Stephen Colbert
No, we got nothing but nut. Nutty, nutty, nutty, nutty. Talk about, talk about, talk about, talk about nutty. Good.
Mariska Hargitay
You ever hit that moment when your kid asks for help with homework and you're like, wait, when did long division get this complicated? Or maybe your child's flying through lessons and getting bored in class? Yeah, been there. Whether they're struggling or soaring, IXL can make a real difference. IXL is an award winning online platform that helps kids really understand what they're learning. It covers math, language arts, science and social studies from Pre K through 12th grade. And it's actually fun, engaging, personalized and packed with encouraging feedback to help keep them motivated. IXL is used by 96 of the top 100 school districts in the US and it's no surprise it's backed by research. Kids using IXL are scoring higher on tests and studies from almost every state show they're consistently doing better. Make an impact on your child's learning. Get IXL now. And listeners of this podcast can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ixlearning.com audio visit ixllearning.com audio to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price.
Stephen Colbert
Welcome one and all to the Late Show. I'm your host, Stephen Colbert. And folks, I gotta tell you, I am in a great mood tonight because this weekend was Father's Day and Daddy got just what he wanted. No one came to Trump's big stupid birthday parade. Isn't that pleasant? Nobody. Just no. No one came. Though of course, the White house claims that 250,000 people attended. So now apparently a quarter of a million people looks like this. They must be really good at hide and seek. It was Amaga Stands for Make America Grass again, I guess. Whoa. Thank you, Matt. That was so sparsely attended that these poor troops were forced to march past Empty bleach, you guys. I don't think our parents came to our show. It's not fair to the soldiers. They've got to be there. It wasn't just the low turnout. It also lacked a certain showmanship, which is surprising because we heard it had tanks and stuff, but in reality, this is what you got. We may have won WWII, but this weekend we lost the battle of WD40. But that tank. I love that sound, though. That tank was so slow, it was later lapped by a tumbleweed and then by Joe Biden. After that, the parade took to the sky. I'm sorry. Took to this guy holding a drone. It is going to blow his mind when he finds out that that thing can fly. A parade this big might sound like a giant waste of taxpayer money, but the White House did find a way to make a teeny bit of that cash back. Special thanks to our sponsor, Lockheed Martin. Special thanks to our sponsor, ufc. Special thanks to our sponsor, Coinbase. Now, some people have said that's in bad taste, but remember, our military has always had sponsorships. Who can forget FDR's speech after Pearl Harbor? December 7, 1941, a date that is brought to you by Farmers Insurance. We are farmers.
Mariska Hargitay
Bum, bum, bum, bum.
Stephen Colbert
World War II. Yeah. Good folks at farmers. Very good folks at farmers. The parade's corporate sponsors included the new energy drink form, who handed out cans of their new flavor, Screamin Freedom, which contains 200 milligrams of caffeine and an additional 100 milligrams of whole coffee extract. I don't know about the freedom part, but if you drank that, I guarantee you at least one of your orifices will be screaming. Orifice. Orifice. Orify orifices. Also, if you're tempted to have a taste, please be. Screamin Freedom is not recommended for children, people sensitive to caffeine, pregnant women, or women who are nursing. In fact, if you drink Screamin Freedom while you're nursing, your baby actually pops off your breast and flies around the room like a balloon. It looked like nobody was having a good time at this thing. Not even Donald Trump. Here he is celebrating his birthday. That is one sad sack of potatoes. I know. This is exactly the birthday I wanted. A hot, wet, empty lawn with the band playing my favorite tune. Crank it up. At one point, the President tried to get a little birthday lovin from his wife and rejected. He tries a little pinky he tries a little pinky. That is risky of her not to respond to his pinky because as Commander in Chief, he could have declared a thumb warp. Oh, my God. It was wonderful. It was such a long day that the birthday boy seemed to fall asleep during the fireworks. You know what he needs? Some screaming freedom. Some screaming freedom. Let's crack that open. Have that stored in a well ventilated room. Of course. As reported on Fox News, the parade was a glorious patriotic display of America's most powerful sauntering. But their celebratory broadcast went off the rails when Fox brought on military expert Rebecca Koffler, who appeared to have recently been defeated in the battle of Sauvignon Blanc. Rebecca, what are your thoughts tonight on.
Emily
The incredible symbolism and the messaging that we saw here tonight from the Commander in Chief on the army's 250th birthday?
Rebecca Koffler
I am so excited. Emily and Lucas Tomlinson.
Stephen Colbert
You're not supposed to be sloshed when you call into Fox News. You're supposed to be sloshed when you host Fox News. And here's what happened when Koffler tried to give a shout out to the President.
Rebecca Koffler
Because of the mismanagement of the administrative states, they've been fighting these foreign wars. But with our new in chief, Dolly Jean Trump.
Stephen Colbert
Did she just say Dolly Jane Trump? It is so sad, folks. You send your little president to the military parade, a beautiful boy, he comes back a Dolly Jane. Oh. Oh, I wish I was breastfeeding. After that footage went viral, Koffler denied being drunk tweeting truth audio video during military parade were corrupted due to intermittent slow Internet connection. No, no, she's right. We checked the FIOS website and it said there was indeed a blackout in her area. So the crowd. Fios, fios fans. I'm an Xfinity man myself. So the crowd was a little sparse down in D.C. but you know where people did show up everywhere else in America because an estimated 5 million people protested the Trump administration corruption and overreach at no King's marches all across the country. Look at that, man. That is beautiful. That's beautiful. Hell, yeah.
Jon Batiste
Hell, yeah.
Stephen Colbert
More like that. Hell, yeah. That was just. That was beautiful to hold, but it gotta be a rough birthday for him. Sorry, Billy, no one RSVP'd for your party. Maybe we could stop over at the neighbors. They got a ton of kids jumping into the pool yelling, we hate Billy. Attendance was so huge on Saturday that experts are saying no Kings was the biggest protest in US History. This is history. History.
Rebecca Koffler
This Means.
Stephen Colbert
That means biggest, biggest in history of America means that more people came together at the no Kings rally than back when this country was actually fighting against kings. So officially, officially, Americans are more against the red hats than the red coats. It was great. It was great. And it was everywhere. Here in New York, despite a rainy day, an estimated 50,000 people marched down Fifth Avenue. Yeah, 50,000. That's not too shabby. Usually. Usually, to get that many people in New York lined up in the rain, you've got to invent a cross between a brownie and a bagel. Some say it's just a brownie with a hole in it, but I say it's a brown gul. It costs $40, and the line starts in Queens. Back there, get in line. The Philadelphia march ended at the famous Rocky steps, which is perfect because Rocky movies are all very political. We all remember Ivan Drago's speech about cutting funding for Medicare.
Lucas Tomlinson
If he dies, he dies.
Stephen Colbert
And it wasn't just out there in sort of the typical liberal cities. There were over 10,000 folks marching in downtown Dallas, people filling the streets in Bowling Green, Kentucky, protesters in Tucson, Arizona, and in Utah, residents of a senior home hit the streets. Thank you, seniors. Were you one of them? Were you one of them, Canelo? That is a serious threat, because any one of those seniors is fast enough to catch a parade tank. Hey, and the people, the people, the folks out there, they brought their creative energy. There were tons of fun nationally. Guard Deez nuts. You sucked in Home Alone 2. And this president is the nastiest skank bitch I've ever met. Do not trust him. He's a fugly slut. That's harsh. Those are harsh words. Even more impressive, the sign was being carried by Melania. We got a great show for you tonight coming up. Mariska Hargitay.
Emily
Get smoother, brighter skin instantly. In one easy step, Dermalogica's daily microfoliant gives you the smooth, glowy skin you want without damaging your skin barrier. This gentle exfoliating powder activates with water to smooth out rough texture and brighten skin. It's powerful enough to deliver results, yet gentle enough to use every single day, even on sensitive skin. See the results for yourself. Visit dermalogica.com and use code smooth at cart for an exclusive free gift with $65 purchase.
Mariska Hargitay
You ever hit that moment when your kid asks for help with homework and you're like, wait, when did long division get this complicated? Or maybe your child's flying through lessons and getting bored in class? Yeah, been there. Whether they're struggling or soaring, IX can make a real difference. IXL is an award winning online platform that helps kids really understand what they're learning. It covers math, language arts, science and social studies from Pre K through 12th grade. And it's actually fun, engaging, personalized, and packed with encouraging feedback to help keep them motivated. IXL is used by 96 of the top 100 school districts in the US and it's no surprise it's backed by research. Kids using IXL are scoring higher on tests, and studies from almost every state show they're consistently doing better. Make an impact on your child's learning. Get IXL now. And listeners of this podcast can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ixl learning.com audio visit ixllearning.com audio to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price.
Stephen Colbert
Welcome back, everybody. Ladies and gentlemen, my first guest tonight is an Emmy award winning actor, you know as Olivia Benson in Law and Order Special Victims Unit. She's now directed a documentary called My Mom Jane. Please welcome back to the Late Show, Mariska Hargitay. Wow. Nice. Wow. Nice to see you again. Welcome back.
Rebecca Koffler
Thank you. Happy to be here.
Stephen Colbert
I've been happy here. I like the little, I like the little bobbles there.
Rebecca Koffler
It's a little homage.
Stephen Colbert
Jayne Mansfield.
Rebecca Koffler
Yes.
Stephen Colbert
But did she wear something like this?
Rebecca Koffler
She wore a dress just like this in Cannes at the Cannes Film Festival.
Stephen Colbert
Okay, well then let's get straight into that.
Rebecca Koffler
Let's just go right in, guys.
Stephen Colbert
For the uninitiated, for the uninitiated, Jayne Mansfield was your mother.
Rebecca Koffler
Yes.
Stephen Colbert
And you've made a documentary about her called My Mom Jane, why now did you want to make a documentary after all these years about your mom?
Rebecca Koffler
You know, everyone asks me that and I think that the, I like to.
Stephen Colbert
Ask all the questions that people, that people have already asked, already asked because you're all warmed up for them. Why did you direct this?
Rebecca Koffler
I think the reason I made this movie now is because I was ready to make it now. And in a way, I feel like I've been preparing my entire life to make it. But I was ready. And during COVID we all had some downtime and I found these boxes of fan letters that I'd received from fans that were all pertaining to my mom, whether they were people that had met her or had a story to share with me or a playbill or something special. And so I had the time to sit with each letter and people had sent me things that were truly a gift because it felt like pieces of her. And so I said, I think I want to dig in here.
Stephen Colbert
Were these people fans, or were there some people who actually knew her?
Rebecca Koffler
No, they were people that actually knew her. That's lovely. One of the ones that was so meaningful and resonant for me is somebody. Several. A couple, about three people who played the violin with her in high school.
Stephen Colbert
Well, here's the thing that people may not know. I did not know about this, is that your mother was a gifted violinist. Here she is on the Ed Sullivan show in this building right now. She is playing. This is in 1957, performing Vivaldi's Concerto no. 6 in A minor. How come I didn't know this about your mom?
Rebecca Koffler
Because they. When she came to Hollywood, they put her in a box. And that's what they did to many women in the 1950s. That's what happened in the time. And it's been such a joy to go on this, you know, archaeological dig, really about her. And it's been just an exquisite and rewarding and cathartic and extraordinary journey.
Stephen Colbert
Journey at a certain level must be extraordinarily painful for you, because how old were you when you lost your mother?
Rebecca Koffler
I was three. Three and a half.
Stephen Colbert
Three.
Rebecca Koffler
Yeah.
Stephen Colbert
Okay, we have a clip here. Can you explain what we're about to see?
Rebecca Koffler
I think we're about to see part of the movie when I was talking about my. My baby book.
Stephen Colbert
Okay, Jim.
Rebecca Koffler
After she passed away, a moment that's always stayed with me is when I found my baby book. All of my siblings had one, but when I looked through mine, it was practically empty. So on top of having no memories, I think it just gave me a sense of more loss. It was like this little hole in my heart.
Stephen Colbert
By facing the story of your mother and of your family, what did you learn about your mom that you didn't know?
Rebecca Koffler
Ah, so much. And the gift of the film has been a total reframing of the story, which there was just so much that I didn't know about her, so much that I assumed. And when you grow up and your mother is, you know, a Hollywood icon and, you know, a sex symbol, bombshell and all this stuff, it's just a.
Stephen Colbert
Lot and difficult for a child because they're robbed of that. Especially if you're. Or if they die when they're very young, you're robbed of that ability for them to be human.
Rebecca Koffler
Yeah.
Stephen Colbert
To actually see your role in the world through their own life completely. And they maintain their Olympian quality.
Rebecca Koffler
Yeah.
Stephen Colbert
Were you able to pierce that with this?
Rebecca Koffler
Yes.
Stephen Colbert
Yeah.
Rebecca Koffler
Yes. So much. Thank you so much. And, you know, I. You know, she was somebody who was, you know, one of the most photographed women of her time.
Stephen Colbert
And like, the most photographed woman of her time.
Rebecca Koffler
The most photographed woman.
Stephen Colbert
Yeah.
Rebecca Koffler
And so it was this thing of, like, who is this person behind the pose? Who is this person? And I was so hungry and yearning for the still moments, the private moments, the candid moments. And I was so lucky because a. Through all the photos, but also, as a person, a filmmaker and a documentarian, the biggest gift you can get is archival footage. And there was so much. There was so much archival footage. And again, it was like a gift that just fell out of the sky for me because I had no idea. So there were so many private moments. There was so much gold that had been really unmind. And I felt like it was just waiting for me.
Stephen Colbert
Well, I know this premiered at Cannes last month, and that also that this is one of your. This is a series of photographs of your favorites. Your mother. This is your mother, Jay Mansfield, and your father, Mickey Hargitay, at the Cannes film festival in 1958. Look how happy she is.
Rebecca Koffler
Well, I'll tell you something, you know, so I got into the Tribeca Film Festival, which was amazing, and I got in first. But there was just a little piece of my heart that was hoping and praying that she would. That I would. That it would get into the Cannes Film Festival. And I think the reason was because out of all the photos that I'd seen of her, and there are many, there was a sacredness and a joy and a happiness and a freedom of her in these photos from the Cannes Film Festival. And every time that I saw them, I would get, like, a hit. I think it was just a very happy, joyful time in her life. So I really wanted to bring her back there. And I got to. So it was.
Stephen Colbert
Is Cant fun. Did you have a good time there?
Rebecca Koffler
Yes, I had an amazing time. I think maybe better than most people, because I brought my family, I brought my husband and my kids. So it turned into this amazing vacation. And so it was magnificent and so much fun.
Stephen Colbert
Well, the documentary also reveals family secrets.
Rebecca Koffler
Yes.
Stephen Colbert
Any hesitancy in doing that?
Rebecca Koffler
No.
Stephen Colbert
Tell people some of the things that we like.
Rebecca Koffler
Well, I want everyone to experience it.
Stephen Colbert
Sure.
Rebecca Koffler
And so there are things I'll say that I've carried around for 30 years that were secrets that I never shared with anyone because I was afraid to, and I didn't want to betray anyone. And so I carried it. And I realized they weren't mine to carry, they weren't mine to hold, and I wanted to be free of that. And as we all know, the only way out is through. And so I feel about 1,000 pounds lighter.
Stephen Colbert
I like that. Only way out is through.
Rebecca Koffler
It's true, right?
Stephen Colbert
Yeah. Yeah.
Rebecca Koffler
I can't wait for you to see it.
Stephen Colbert
Speaking of family, Speaking of family, here is with your Law and Order SVU family at Carnegie hall on Friday. You feel the hometown love.
Rebecca Koffler
I felt the hometown love. I gotta tell you, they all showed up. I was just upset because a couple of them, Ice and Kelly, didn't show up in time for the group photo, so I had to take singles of them. But, you know, I'm so close with my Law and Order family, and they were just, you know, I was lit up like a Christmas tree because they were all there in full force and there was a lot of love.
Stephen Colbert
Well, you guys will be back for your 27th season, which was already the longest running drama.
Rebecca Koffler
Well, I remember the first time I was here was for my 21st season.
Stephen Colbert
Which was already the longest run.
Rebecca Koffler
Exactly. We talked about it being longer than Gunsmoke, and now it's like. And she's back for her 38th season.
Stephen Colbert
Exactly.
Rebecca Koffler
I'll be back for my 49th season.
Stephen Colbert
I hope so.
Rebecca Koffler
I'm not going anywhere.
Stephen Colbert
So nice to see you.
Rebecca Koffler
Thank you for being here. God bless. Thank you.
Stephen Colbert
My mom, Jane comes out June 27 on HBO. And Max, Mariska Hargitay, 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.
Mariska Hargitay
To some, a baby's babbling doesn't mean much. But it does, especially if there's no babbling at all. Little to no babbling by 12 months or later is just one of the possible signs of autism in children. Learn more at autismspeaks.org, brought to you by Autism Speaks and the Ad Council.
Lucas Tomlinson
This summer, Pluto TV is exploding with thousands of free movies presenting summer of cinema stream hits like Good Burger.
Stephen Colbert
Can I take your order?
Lucas Tomlinson
Four Brothers, the wood, Paid in full and Beverly Hills Cop 1, 2, and 3.
Stephen Colbert
How you doing?
Lucas Tomlinson
All for free. Get ready to feel the free with all the blockbusters one summer can handle. And keep up with the action from virtually any of your devices. Summer will never be the same. Pluto TV stream now pay Never.
Podcast Summary: The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert
Episode: Mariska Hargitay | Tanks For Nothing
Release Date: June 17, 2025
In this episode of The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert, host Stephen Colbert engages in a lively and insightful conversation with Emmy Award-winning actress Mariska Hargitay, best known for her role as Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. The episode delves into Mariska's latest documentary, My Mom Jane, exploring her personal journey and the legacy of her late mother, Jayne Mansfield.
The episode begins with a humorous and spirited promotion of Wonderful Pistachios, featuring Stephen Colbert, Jon Batiste, and Mariska Hargitay. The trio shares light-hearted banter about their favorite pistachio flavors, showcasing their camaraderie and setting an engaging tone for the episode.
Their playful exchange emphasizes the brand's variety and appeals to listeners with a mix of humor and personal anecdotes.
Transitioning from sponsorship, Stephen Colbert delivers his characteristic monologue, focusing on the recent presidential birthday parade.
Colbert humorously critiques the event's low attendance and lack of enthusiasm, juxtaposing political commentary with comedic observations about military displays and sponsorships.
He continues to satirize the parade's sponsors and the president's participation, blending current events with his signature wit.
Mariska Hargitay joins Stephen Colbert to discuss her documentary, My Mom Jane, which unveils personal and previously unknown facets of her mother, Jayne Mansfield.
Mariska delves into the motivations behind creating the documentary, revealing the emotional and personal significance of unearthing family history.
She shares poignant stories about discovering her mother's hidden talents and the impact of learning more about her life beyond the public persona.
Mariska reflects on the challenges of growing up without memories of her mother and how the documentary serves as a cathartic journey.
The conversation touches on the delicate process of uncovering and sharing family secrets through storytelling and film.
She emphasizes the importance of releasing these secrets as a form of personal liberation and healing.
Mariska shares experiences from the documentary's premiere at Cannes, highlighting the emotional significance of revisiting joyous moments from her mother's life.
She discusses the supportive environment created by her Law & Order family during the premiere, underscoring the strong bonds formed over the show's long run.
Stephen Colbert wraps up the interview by acknowledging Mariska's ongoing commitment to her role on Law & Order: SVU and expressing excitement for her documentary's release.
Mariska concludes with heartfelt thanks and anticipation for the audience to experience her work.
This episode offers a deep dive into Mariska Hargitay's personal journey and creative endeavors, blending heartfelt storytelling with Stephen Colbert's signature humor and insightful commentary. Listeners gain a profound understanding of the challenges and rewards of uncovering and sharing one's family history through film.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting key discussions, emotional insights, and the dynamic interactions between Stephen Colbert and Mariska Hargitay. It provides a clear and engaging overview for listeners who haven't tuned in.