The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert
Episode: Meanwhile | Koala Chlamydia
Date: September 14, 2025
Overview
This episode of “The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert” delivers quick-witted comic takes on bizarre news, animal science, and global oddities via Colbert’s beloved "Meanwhile" segment. Listeners are treated to a parade of surreal headlines—ranging from the world’s first koala chlamydia vaccine to weird wedding heists, intoxicated fish facts, and even a prankster slug in Germany—all filtered through Colbert’s irrepressible, satirical voice.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
“Meanwhile” Segment Highlights (04:33-09:30)
1. Koala Chlamydia Vaccine
- (05:09) Colbert kicks off with the approval of a chlamydia vaccine for koalas in Australia.
- Satirical Twist: “Finally, said creepy Darryl, who is banned from the zoo for reasons he'd rather not get into right now.”
- Colbert lampoons the news with a riff on ‘koala swingers,’ imagining eucalyptus-fueled trysts in the forest.
- Insight: The vaccine will help protect “the nation’s most at risk koalas, which of course are koala swingers.”
2. Toxic Chemicals in Beer
- (05:49) A new study finds “toxic forever chemicals” (PFAS) in 95% of 23 beers tested.
- Colbert Quip: “PFAS? Also what you do after testing 23 beers.”
- Insight: Uses a wordplay to caution and entertain, highlighting the surprising prevalence of these substances in common drinks.
3. Bizarre Fish with Forehead Teeth
- (06:14) Coverage of a fish species with eight rows of forehead teeth used during mating.
- Colbert’s take: “Hey, hey, hey. Bizarre. No sex shaming. Don't attack him because your vanilla sex life is totally devoid of forehead teeth.”
- Introduces scientific terminology with a pun: “...called the tenaculum. Tenaculum. I hardly know him.”
- Running bit: The findings are from the (fictional) science journal “Penis.”
- Insight: Using absurdity and playful sex humor, Colbert turns obscure biological news into comedic gold.
4. Wedding Crasher Heist
- (07:05) Not-so-hilarious wedding news: a thief crashes a wedding, stealing a gift box containing thousands in cash and presents.
- Colbert’s punchline: “Wait till he realizes he has to write 300 thank you notes.”
- Insight: Juxtaposes criminal acts with social etiquette.
5. Bavarian Doorbell Slug Prank
- (07:21) Residents were plagued by phantom doorbell rings. Suspecting nefarious youth, they discover the culprit: a slug sliding up and down the bell.
- Colbert: “It makes even more sense when you find out that the slug was also a Jehovah's Witness. Do you have a moment to talk?”
- Colbert sets up a faux-Gothic German setting: “I thought it was the children from the abandoned house, or perhaps the old widow who wanders the streets at night howling and weeping for her dead lover. But it was just a slug awakening us, awakening us through the banal dread of a commodified life.”
- Insight: Blends European Gothic tropes with mundane reality for a comedic effect.
6. Lego’s Most Expensive Set
- (09:00) Lego reveals a $1,000 Star Wars Death Star set—a "cross section" with huge detail.
- Comic callback: “It is easily the most detailed Star Wars set since the release of the less popular Lego disemboweled Tauntaun.”
- Insight: Pokes fun at collector culture and the ever-escalating price and absurdity of branded toys.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
“Australian authorities say the vaccine will go a long way to protect nation's most at risk koalas, which of course are koala swingers. Hey, hey, hey, hey. My koala wife and I saw you across the forest and we like your vibe. Would you care to join us for some eucalyptus?”
— Stephen Colbert (05:13)
“PFAS? Also what you do after testing 23 beers.”
— Stephen Colbert (05:46)
“Bizarre. No sex shaming. Don't attack him because your vanilla sex life is totally devoid of forehead teeth... The findings were published last week in the science journal Penis. Yes, the P. Nas of course is what you use when you PFAs. Some. Some people.”
— Stephen Colbert (06:16-06:50)
“Oh, oh sure he's happy now, but wait till he realizes he has to write 300 thank you notes.”
— Stephen Colbert, on the wedding thief (07:13)
“It makes even more sense when you find out that the slug was also a Jehovah's Witness. Do you have a moment to talk?”
— Stephen Colbert (07:35)
“I thought it was the children from the abandoned house, or perhaps the old widow who wanders the streets at night howling and weeping for her dead lover. But it was just a slug awakening us, awakening us through the banal dread of a commodified life. Anyhoo, we poured salt on him.”
— Stephen Colbert (08:03)
“It is easily the most detailed Star Wars set since the release of the less popular Lego disemboweled Tauntaun.”
— Stephen Colbert (09:04)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 04:33 — Start of "Meanwhile" segment
- 05:09 — Koala chlamydia vaccine story
- 05:46 — Toxic chemicals found in beer
- 06:14 — Bizarre fish with forehead teeth
- 07:05 — Wedding crasher heist story
- 07:21 — German doorbell prankster (the slug)
- 08:23 — Gothic trope joking about German news
- 09:00 — Lego’s $1,000 Death Star set gag
Episode Tone & Style
As always, Stephen Colbert’s energetic, satirical style shines through—his comedic timing, absurd character inventions (like creepy Darryl and the koala swingers), and a mix of intellectual and slapstick humor are ever-present. The segment is “nutty” and irreverent, but thoughtfully constructed, blending news bites and socio-political jabs with laugh-out-loud one-liners.
This summary captures the mischievous spirit of Colbert’s ‘Meanwhile’ segment—perfect for fans seeking a quick, funny breakdown of the episode’s weirdest news, and for new listeners hoping for the show's trademark cocktail of wit and absurdity.