Max Thieriot | 'Fire Country'

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert Featuring Max Thieriot | 'Fire Country'

Release Date: April 7, 2025

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Introduction

In this engaging episode of The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert, host Stephen Colbert welcomes Max Thieriot, the co-creator, star, and executive producer of the hit CBS series “Fire Country”. The episode delves into Max's illustrious career, the inspiration behind his latest projects, his personal background, and life beyond the camera. Through a series of insightful discussions and humorous exchanges, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of Max's journey in the entertainment industry and his endeavors in storytelling.

Career Journey and Achievements

Stephen Colbert opens the conversation by highlighting Max Thieriot's impressive resume.

Stephen Colbert [01:37]: "You did six seasons of Seal Team right there. Then you're the co-creator, star, EP of Fire Country right there. You've co-created a spin-off debuting this fall called Sheriff Country. How many more countries are there in the Terriot universe?"

Max humorously responds, hinting at future projects.

Max Thieriot [02:03]: "Next up is gonna be Vacation Country. All right, next up, that's gonna be me and Cabo drinking a margarita."

This light-hearted banter sets the tone for a discussion that underscores Max's multifaceted role in the television landscape, emphasizing his creative prowess and commitment to expanding his cinematic universe.

Creation of “Fire Country” and “Sheriff Country”

Colbert delves deeper into “Fire Country”, exploring its roots and the forthcoming spin-off.

Stephen Colbert [02:12]: "I understand Fire Country's inspired by things you knew growing up in Northern California."

Max affirms this, sharing the personal connections that fueled the series’ development.

Max Thieriot [02:19]: "Yeah. Grew up in a small little town and had a lot of friends that were firefighters, you know, buddies. Started in high school, honestly, going to Thursday night drills and training."

This segment reveals how Max's upbringing and community influences shaped the authentic portrayal of firefighters in the show. The mention of the spin-off, “Sheriff Country”, slated to debut in the fall, highlights Max's strategic expansion of his creative projects within the CBS network.

Personal Background: Growing Up in Northern California

The conversation shifts to Max's early life, providing listeners with a glimpse into his formative years.

Max Thieriot [02:28]: "I did not. Although when they were leaving class because their pagers were going off senior year, I was a little jealous."

Max reflects on his high school experiences, offering a candid perspective on his aspirations and the allure of firefighting depicted in his youth.

Early Acting Experiences and Improv Classes

Colbert and Max reminisce about Max’s initial foray into acting, which began unexpectedly.

Stephen Colbert [03:13]: "How did you get into acting?"

Max Thieriot [03:13]: "I fell into it. Like, totally random. You know, I grew up in this tiny little town where acting was not a thing, wasn't reality. Well, I guess it still isn't, but was very foreign."

Max shares his accidental discovery of acting through an improv class, guided by his mother's encouragement to keep him engaged.

Max Thieriot [03:33]: "I was always. My mom was fight fires or improv was one of the two things."

This anecdote underscores the serendipitous nature of his career path and the pivotal role of improvisational skills in his development as an actor and creator.

Breakthrough and Early Roles

Stephen Colbert reminisces about Max's early appearances in the entertainment industry, highlighting his evolution from child actor to television producer.

Stephen Colbert [02:46]: "You've been in front of the camera since you were just a kid. This is you. Here you are modeling."

Max reminisces about his early work, including a memorable commercial.

Max Thieriot [04:08]: "Yes."

Stephen Colbert [04:15]: "Would you grace us with a reading of what you said in that commercial?"

Max Thieriot [04:27]: "Oh, man. Okay, sell it... We were tuning up when Scott says he had Reese's for breakfast..."

Max narrates his experience with the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup cereal commercial, reflecting on his initial discomfort with advertisements and how it served as his gateway into the industry.

Life Beyond Acting: Washington State and Animal Husbandry

The dialogue transitions to Max’s personal life, particularly his relocation to Washington state and his life on a sprawling 50-acre property.

Stephen Colbert [05:04]: "You now live in Washington state. Are you out in the country?"

Max Thieriot [05:57]: "I am, yeah."

Max describes his rural lifestyle, humorously comparing it to “Old McDonald's farm”, and shares charming details about his pets.

Max Thieriot [06:18]: "Yeah, it's like old McDonald's farm a little bit. It's farmish."

He introduces his animals, including pigs named Dolly and Hank, adding a touch of levity and personality to the discussion.

Max Thieriot [06:31]: "We got Dolly and Hank."

A relatable and entertaining story unfolds as Max recounts an incident involving his boar, Hank.

Max Thieriot [06:05]: "I went in there, and he likes to play... And so he comes around and goes behind me and gets in between my legs... he started shaking his head... and he took both of my knees out, went shooting away... put me flat on my back."

This vivid recounting not only entertains but also offers insight into the challenges and unexpected moments of rural living.

Reflections and Humor

Throughout the episode, Max and Colbert engage in playful exchanges that highlight Max's wit and down-to-earth nature. From discussing his tolerance for different wine bottles to joking about his commercial past, their banter adds a layer of warmth and relatability to the conversation.

Stephen Colbert [05:22]: "Do you remember the commercial?"

Max Thieriot [05:25]: "Oh, yes."

Stephen Colbert [05:27]: "Now bite and smile."

These interactions showcase Max's ability to laugh at himself and maintain a lighthearted demeanor, even when sharing anecdotes that could be considered embarrassing.

Conclusion

Stephen Colbert wraps up the episode by celebrating Max Thieriot's contributions to television and entertainment, promoting “Fire Country” and encouraging listeners to tune in.

Stephen Colbert [08:09]: "Sadly on that, thank you so much for stopping by. Fire country airs Fridays at 9pm on CBS and is streaming on Paramount. Plus Max Terry, everybody."

Max's candid discussions about his career, personal life, and humorous stories offer a multifaceted view of his persona both on and off the screen. This episode serves as an insightful and entertaining exploration of Max Thieriot's journey, making it a must-listen for fans and newcomers alike.

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Notable Quotes:

• Max Thieriot [02:03]: "Next up is gonna be Vacation Country. All right, next up, that's gonna be me and Cabo drinking a margarita."

• Stephen Colbert [04:16]: "Do you remember what you said?"

• Max Thieriot [06:49]: "I'm ready to fight right now, you know?"

These quotes capture the essence of Max's humor, resilience, and authentic storytelling throughout the episode.

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and moments shared by Max Thieriot and Stephen Colbert, providing both depth and entertainment value for listeners who seek an in-depth understanding of the episode without tuning in.

Transcript

[Max Thieriot]

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[Tommy Morrissey]

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[Max Thieriot]

It'S the.

[Stephen Colbert]

Late show Poncho with Stephen Colbert. Welcome back, everybody. My next guest is the co creator, star and executive producer of the hit CBS series Fire Country. He's also the co creator and executive producer of its spin off series, Sheriff country, set to debut on CBS this fall. Please welcome to the Late Show, Max Terriot.

[Max Thieriot]

Please.

[Stephen Colbert]

There you go.

[Max Thieriot]

Thank you.

[Stephen Colbert]

Nice to meet you.

[Max Thieriot]

Nice to meet you. Thanks for having me. It's a good crowd you got here.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah, very lovely. You are becoming Mr. CBS himself. Okay, here we go. You did six seasons of Seal Team right there. Then you're the co creator, star, EP of Fire country right there. You've co created a spin off debuting this fall called Sheriff Country. How many more countries are there in the Terriot universe?

[Max Thieriot]

Next up is gonna be Vacation Country. All right, next up, that's gonna be me and Cabo drinking a margarita.

[Stephen Colbert]

Oh, that's nice.

[Max Thieriot]

Yeah, that's nice.

[Stephen Colbert]

I understand Fire Country's inspired by things you knew growing up in Northern California.

[Max Thieriot]

Yeah. Grew up in a small little town and had a lot of friends that were firefighters, you know, buddies. Started in high school, honestly, going to Thursday night drills and training.

[Stephen Colbert]

Did you do any of that stuff?

[Max Thieriot]

I did not. Although when they were leaving class because their pagers were going off senior year, I was a little jealous.

[Stephen Colbert]

Sure looked pretty tough, I imagine.

[Max Thieriot]

Yeah, that was a good move.

[Stephen Colbert]

You've been in front of the camera since you Were just a kid. This is you. Here you are modeling.

[Max Thieriot]

How old are you here, man? I think I was probably, like, 13. Ish.

[Stephen Colbert]

Okay, here you are in one of your first movies right there. What is this? Do you remember what this one is?

[Max Thieriot]

That was from the Pacifier with Vin Diesel. Oh, wow.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah.

[Max Thieriot]

Quite a long time ago now. Yes, that was. You know, my fans back then were carrying lunch boxes still, so thanks for that.

[Stephen Colbert]

Well, how did you get into acting?

[Max Thieriot]

I fell into it. Like, totally random. You know, I grew up in this tiny little town where acting was not a thing, wasn't reality. Well, I guess it still isn't, but was very foreign.

[Stephen Colbert]

Sure.

[Max Thieriot]

And went to this improv class. Met a guy who was.

[Stephen Colbert]

Did you know? Did you want to go to the improv class?

[Max Thieriot]

Well, it was something to do after school.

[Stephen Colbert]

Okay.

[Max Thieriot]

I was always.

[Stephen Colbert]

My mom was fight fires or improv was one of the two things.

[Max Thieriot]

Yeah, she just wanted me busy. She's like, sure, find something to do, Max. Find something to do. And so I met him there, and. And he was also good at improv because he said he was a manager and took me to la. I went in, walked into an agency, and I did a commercial. I remember they gave me this piece of paper, and it had a Reese's Peanut Butter cup cereal commercial on it.

[Stephen Colbert]

Reese's Peanut Butter cereal.

[Max Thieriot]

I haven't given that to my boys yet, but I don't know what's in it.

[Stephen Colbert]

Peanut butter and chocolate?

[Max Thieriot]

Well, I don't know. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. The essence of sure.

[Stephen Colbert]

Do you remember the commercial?

[Max Thieriot]

Yes.

[Stephen Colbert]

Do you remember what you said?

[Max Thieriot]

Oh, yes.

[Stephen Colbert]

Would you grace us with a reading of what you said in that commercial?

[Max Thieriot]

Oh, man. Okay, sell it.

[Stephen Colbert]

Now bite and smile.

[Max Thieriot]

Oh, you're gonna find out why I never did commercials. Still haven't done one. Cause I hated. I hated going to these, but. All right, so we were tuning up when Scott says he had Reese's for breakfast. And I'm thinking, whoa, you had candy for breakfast? He says, not candy. Reese's Peanut Butter cup cereal. So I take a bite. Wow. And then there's, like, a little bit more. And I forget how it ends. But that's. I mean, it's not bad.

[Stephen Colbert]

You got the gig, dude. You're booked. I'm booking you right now. Done on that.

[Max Thieriot]

Done.

[Stephen Colbert]

That's where the money is, baby.

[Max Thieriot]

I mean, I never got a commercial, but, you know, got my foot in the door.

[Stephen Colbert]

Isn't it nice, though? Isn't it nice when you don't get hired when you're younger, because now we can't play the tape of you doing that.

[Max Thieriot]

I'm sure there's something out there.

[Stephen Colbert]

Is it true you grew up in a vineyard?

[Max Thieriot]

I did. I did.

[Stephen Colbert]

Can you tell the difference between a $100 bottle and a $20 bottle?

[Max Thieriot]

Yeah, yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Without looking at the label?

[Max Thieriot]

Well, you know, now. Hey, hey, settle down, settle down. Listen, I not knocking a $20 bottle or even a $6 bottle now and then, you know, I mean, I've been known to like pinky, you know, chug jug, a bottle of Carlo Rossi, but sure. But I also, you know, I also like.

[Stephen Colbert]

Are you needy on ice?

[Max Thieriot]

That's right. You know, Franzi out of the box. The tour de Franzia.

[Stephen Colbert]

Oh, I love a box.

[Max Thieriot]

Come on.

[Stephen Colbert]

I love a box of wine.

[Max Thieriot]

Yeah, we're doing the tour de Franzia later.

[Stephen Colbert]

Fantastic. You now live in Washington state. Are you out in the country?

[Max Thieriot]

I am, yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Like, how much country are we talking here? Are you really alone out there?

[Max Thieriot]

It's country country. We got 50 acres.

[Stephen Colbert]

That's a good amount.

[Max Thieriot]

Yeah, good amount.

[Stephen Colbert]

You got animals? We do have animals that you mean to have there?

[Max Thieriot]

Both.

[Stephen Colbert]

Both. Okay. You got the wild animals and the domestic.

[Max Thieriot]

That's right.

[Stephen Colbert]

Is it like, really? Do you raise animals there? Is it a farm?

[Max Thieriot]

Yeah, it's like old McDonald's farm a little bit. It's farmish.

[Stephen Colbert]

We have with a cluck cluck here and a cluck cluck there.

[Max Thieriot]

Oh, and some bok boks and a couple pig. A winks and everything else.

[Stephen Colbert]

Oh, pig oinks.

[Max Thieriot]

We got a couple pigs.

[Stephen Colbert]

Okay. Yeah.

[Max Thieriot]

Dolly and Hank.

[Stephen Colbert]

Dolly and Hank.

[Max Thieriot]

She's a gilt and a boar. Wow.

[Stephen Colbert]

How big's the boar?

[Max Thieriot]

He's like. He's over 300. He just turned one, and he's probably three and a quarter.

[Stephen Colbert]

That's a lot of sausage, man.

[Max Thieriot]

I know, I know. You know what? That's what my wife tells me on most days when he's being a little stubborn.

[Stephen Colbert]

Wow. Boars can be dangerous.

[Max Thieriot]

I found that out recently.

[Stephen Colbert]

What happened?

[Max Thieriot]

Well, I went in there, and he likes to play. You know, usually go in there and I'll start itching his side, and he'll drop over and kind of play dead like a dog. And he won't move. Actually, he normally starts snoring, goes to sleep. You sit there and itch his belly. But I went in there and I didn't have time for it this day. I was trying to give him some feed, you know, I needed to get out. And so I started walking around. I was giving him some food, and he came up and he started. He does this thing where he nuzzles his head back and forth. And I'm like, hank, stop. Stop. Get your food. And so he comes around and goes behind me and gets in between my legs, and I'm like, stop, stop. Get back. And he puts his head in here. And he starts shaking his head between my legs, and I'm like, ow. And something spooked him. I don't know. I don't know if it was my reaction or what, but he got scared and took off as he's between my legs, and, I mean. And he's like this big across the back. And so he took both of my knees out, went shooting away, put me flat on my back. I'm huffing for air. I get up, I'm pissed. I'm like, I'm ready to fight right now, you know? And he runs around behind his little shed there. But, yeah, they're big animals.

[Stephen Colbert]

The one thing you know about the dirt in a pig pen, perfectly clean.

[Max Thieriot]

Most of it's not dirt.

[Stephen Colbert]

Oh, sadly on that, thank you so much for stopping by. Fire country airs Fridays at 9pm on CBS and is streaming on Paramount. Plus Max Terry, 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.