Podcast Summary: The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert

Episode: "Meanwhile | A Pig Named 'Breakfast'"

Date: November 23, 2025
Host: Stephen Colbert
Showrunner: CBS

Overview

This episode of The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert encapsulates the signature "Meanwhile" news roundup — a whirlwind mix of unusual headlines, quick-witted commentary, and signature Colbert absurdity. The main themes cover global oddities, culinary delights, animals gone rogue, and the peculiarities that make the news cycle both entertaining and head-scratching. Highlights include a French "baguette" rocket, a runaway pig named Breakfast, and the King of Cheese—Parmigiano Reggiano—getting Hollywood representation.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Opening Banter and "Wonderful Pistachios"

• The episode opens with a playful ad read for Wonderful Pistachios, replete with characteristic nut puns and mock-serious reverence for pistachios.
• Highlights:
  • Rivalry between in-shell and no-shell pistachios.
  • Discussion about pistachio-flavored foods.
  • New flavor innovations: jalapeno lime, dill pickle, smoky barbecue (02:54).
  • Nutty wordplay:

    "Nut me, nut, nut me with nut meat." — Stephen Colbert (03:05)
    "We got nothing but nut. Nutty, nutty, nutty…" — Stephen Colbert (03:09)

2. The "Meanwhile" Segment

• Signature Introduction: Colbert frames the monologue process in absurd culinary metaphors before pivoting to the looser, more chaotic "Dumpster Crumpet of news" (04:25).

• International and Science News

  • France's “Baguette One” Rocket:

    "A little on the nose with your stereotypes there, France. That's like America launching the Buffalo Starship." — Stephen Colbert (04:34)

  • Scientific Discoveries via Animal Genitalia:

    "The scientists added that it wasn't worth it." — Stephen Colbert (04:42)

  • Australian Bagpipers Playing AC/DC:

    "That record. Worst thing ever." — Stephen Colbert (04:46)

  • Bumblebees Learn Morse Code:

    "Finally, it’s going to make it so much easier to send them telegrams." — Stephen Colbert (04:52)

• Wild U.S. Stories

  • Bar Fight Over Chicken Egg Output Leads to Gunfire in Florida:

    "Guess which state this happened in. Nevermind, it's Florida. Give me back my drugs, alligator." — Stephen Colbert (05:08)

  • Bath & Body Works Scents in Grand Central Terminal:

    “When you smell this you’ll be like, oh yeah, that’s a stick.” — Stephen Colbert (05:30)

  • Ferry Accidentally Plays Porn for Passengers:

    "Anyone know how to stop screen sharing? ... Also, if you had to take a guess, what is my password?" — Stephen Colbert (05:55)

3. Animal Antics

• A Pig Named "Breakfast" Escapes

  • Colbert riffs on the names of runaway pigs, listing foods they'd become:

    "We lost pork chop snackers, ham sandwich, BLT, carnitas, sweet and sour empanada, rib rack, prosciutto, gyoza, and slim jim." — Stephen Colbert (06:24)

• Waymo Self-Driving Taxis on Freeways:

  "Which means the chances of getting hit by a self driving car are now way mo." — Stephen Colbert (06:40)

• Overweight Raccoon in England:

  "He's not overweight. There's just more of him to give you rabies." — Stephen Colbert (10:46)
  "English people have so much in common with raccoons. They both have opposable thumbs and love eating garbage." — Stephen Colbert (11:00)

• Raccoon Evolution and Domestication:

  "We are one step closer to my dream of the Westminster Raccoon Show. He won best in Leptospirosis." — Stephen Colbert (11:11)

4. Tech and Science Updates

• Robotic Drug Delivery Using PlayStation Controllers:

  "Don't you worry, you're in great hands. Dr. Goldberg has achieved kingpin in Grand Theft Auto V." — Stephen Colbert (10:46)

• Previously Unknown Bach Works Performed:

  "That Bach piece sounds a lot like the theme from Cheers." — Stephen, to bandleader Corey Bernhard (12:18)

5. Food, Fame, and Satire

• Parmigiano Reggiano Gets a Talent Agent:

  "Parmigiano's been doing great work for decades." — Stephen Colbert (13:20)
  "Which I wouldn't do even if they'd flash burned my face into the side of it. Which they did. Nice try." — Stephen Colbert (14:09)
  "King of Cheeses. Also, please send another one. I'll be done with this by Christmas." — Stephen Colbert (14:15)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• “I have a real close association with nut meat.” – Stephen Colbert (00:09)
• “It's a hard nut smooth.” – Co-host (01:05)
• “I love pistachios. I love crushed pistachio…trout pistachio.” – Stephen Colbert (01:16)
• “I shake the dregs from a discarded sleeve of graham crackers into a half drunk white claw, then pour that over a hot lawn mower engine to make the dumpster crumpet of news. That is my segment.” – Stephen Colbert (04:25)
• “Meanwhile, a pig named Breakfast was seen running loose through a buffalo neighborhood.” – Stephen Colbert (06:21)
• “He’s not overweight. There’s just more of him to give you rabies.” – Stephen Colbert (10:46)
• “That Bach piece sounds a lot like the theme from Cheers.” – Stephen Colbert (12:18)
• “Parmigiano’s been doing great work for decades.” – Stephen Colbert (13:20)
• “Also, please send another one. I’ll be done with this by Christmas.” – Stephen Colbert (14:15)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Wonderful Pistachios Banter: 00:00 – 03:19
• Meanwhile Segment Start: 04:25
• Animal & Science Oddities: 06:21 – 11:11
• Bach Composition Gag: 12:18
• Parmigiano Reggiano’s Hollywood Push: 13:20 – 14:15

Tone and Style

Colbert’s tone is irreverent, improvisational, and playful, with a steady undercurrent of sharp satire. The banter is rapid-fire, with callbacks, asides, and extended riffs on everything from snack foods to international rocket programs. The humor is quintessentially late-night: smart, silly, and unexpectedly cutting.

TL;DR

This Meanwhile installment delivers a bounty of zany stories — runaway pigs, rocket baguettes, tech marvels, overweight urban raccoons, and the cheese industry's aspirational dreams of movie stardom. Through all, Colbert’s comedic lens highlights the oddities of our world, leaving listeners both entertained and bemused.