The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert Episode: Meanwhile | The Sound of Science: A Dog's Real Age Release Date: January 12, 2025

Introduction

In the January 12, 2025 episode of The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert, host Stephen Colbert, alongside musical guest Jon Batiste, delivers a blend of sharp humor, insightful commentary, and engaging segments that captivate listeners. This episode, titled "Meanwhile | The Sound of Science: A Dog's Real Age," seamlessly intertwines topical humor with intriguing scientific discussions, providing a comprehensive and entertaining listen for both regular fans and newcomers alike.

“Meanwhile” Segment with Jon Batiste

Jon Batiste kicks off the episode with the "Meanwhile" segment, a rapid-fire monologue delivering humorous takes on recent news and quirky happenings around the world.

• United Airlines Passenger Incident (00:33)

  Batiste opens with the outrageous report of a United Airlines business class passenger who urinated on a stranger during a long-haul flight. He humorously remarks, “I'm going to say that any flight where you get peed on by a stranger is a long haul flight” (00:45), highlighting the absurdity of such in-flight behavior.

• Taste Alterations on Planes (02:10)

  Discussing how dehydration and cabin pressure affect taste perception, Batiste jokes, “three packets of Biscoff cookies and a Bloody Mary at 6am taste like breakfast” (02:25), playfully mocking the unique in-flight dining experience.

• Nottinghamshire Banana Mystery (03:00)

  Transitioning to a puzzling local story from Nottinghamshire, England, where residents find plates loaded with peeled bananas by the roadside monthly. Batiste quips, “Reminds me of the signs around New York. Cooler with the murder also go yourself” (04:00), blending confusion and humor over the bizarre situation.

• Girl Scouts Cookie Discontinuation (04:45)

  On the topic of Girl Scouts discontinuing cookie flavors, Batiste sarcastically applauds the decision: “The two actual retired flavors are s'mores and toast. Yay. That's because there's only one flavor, people. Thin mints” (05:00), poking fun at the limited flavor options.

• Oldest Person in the World (05:15)

  Highlighting a milestone in longevity, Batiste mentions a Brazilian nun nearing 117 years old, humorously stating, “Wake me up when you're actually 117, sister” (05:25), blending admiration with light-hearted teasing.

• Gen Z and Pickle Obsession (05:30)

  Concluding the "Meanwhile" segment, Batiste explores Gen Z's fascination with pickles, listing absurd trends like pickle-flavored toothpaste. He quips, “Pickled flavored toothpaste is obviously revolting and stupid and I would still use it over Toms of Maine” (05:45), emphasizing the generational clash in taste preferences.

“The Sound of Science” Segment with Jon Batiste

Transitioning to the "Sound of Science" segment, Jon Batiste delves into various scientific studies and discoveries, presented with his characteristic wit and humor.

• Ultra-Processed Foods and Longevity (05:57)

  Batiste discusses a study revealing that consuming ultra-processed foods like Coke and hot dogs can impact lifespan. He humorously interprets the findings: “you lose 12 minutes of your life every time you drink a Coke” (06:10), exaggerating to emphasize the study's implications.

• Revising Dog Age Calculations (06:31)

  Addressing the myth of "seven dog years to one human year," Batiste explains the revised method: “the first year of a medium sized dog's life is roughly 15 human years” (07:00). He humorously applies this to his dog, Benny, concluding, “Benny is...39 years old and still living at home. Get it together” (07:15), blending factual information with playful sarcasm.

• Archaeological Discovery in Alkmaar, Netherlands (07:45)

  Highlighting an archaeological find of a mysterious bone floor, Batiste imagines the chaos it could cause on a home renovation show: “We're going to have to do something about that popcorn ceiling” (08:00), creatively linking the discovery to popular culture.

• Health Benefits of Fart Walks (08:30)

  Batiste introduces an unconventional health tip: taking a "fart walk" after eating. He jokes, “if you're a man over 50, every walk is a fart walk” (09:00), playfully encouraging absurd health trends.

• Video Games and Intelligence in Children (09:30)

  Addressing parental concerns, Batiste cites a study linking video game play with increased intelligence in children, humorously referencing: “published in the prestigious New England Journal of your nephew Kyle” (09:45), poking fun at the oft-cited yet sometimes dubious scientific sources.

• Toxic Vapors from Couches (10:15)

  Discussing the potential dangers of volatile organic compounds emitted by couches, Batiste warns, “your couch might kill you, but only if you put it where all couches go” (10:30), merging genuine concern with comedic relief.

• Virtual Reality Flavored Lollipops (10:50)

  Batiste explores a new device that allows users to taste virtual flavors, listing options like durian and green tea. He humorously concludes, “Or you can just go lick everything at the grocery store for the low, low cost of bail” (11:05), exaggerating the novelty of the invention.

• Plant-Based Eggs Recipe (11:20)

  Concluding the segment, Batiste touches on the challenges of creating the perfect plant-based egg substitute. He lightheartedly remarks, “Perhaps flavor? Well, I'm sold. It reminds me of when Arby's updated their slogan we have perhaps meats” (11:35), connecting food science with fast-food marketing humor.

Conclusion

The episode masterfully balances humor with informative content, ensuring listeners are both entertained and enlightened. Jon Batiste's seamless transitions between absurd news bites and scientific explorations, combined with Stephen Colbert's adept hosting, create a rich and engaging narrative. Notably, Batiste's ability to infuse humor into scientific discourse, exemplified when he quips about dog age calculations (07:15) and virtual reality lollipops (11:05), makes complex topics accessible and enjoyable.

For those who haven't listened, this episode offers a delightful mix of laughter and learning, encapsulating the essence of The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert. Whether discussing the bizarre world of Gen Z pickles or the intricacies of plant-based eggs, the episode ensures a captivating and informative experience from start to finish.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “I'm going to say that any flight where you get peed on by a stranger is a long haul flight” – Jon Batiste (00:45)
• “三 packets of Biscoff cookies and a Bloody Mary at 6am taste like breakfast” – Jon Batiste (02:25)
• “Wake me up when you're actually 117, sister” – Jon Batiste (05:25)
• “Pickled flavored toothpaste is obviously revolting and stupid and I would still use it over Toms of Maine” – Jon Batiste (05:45)
• “you lose 12 minutes of your life every time you drink a Coke” – Jon Batiste (06:10)
• “Benny is...39 years old and still living at home. Get it together” – Jon Batiste (07:15)
• “we found a floor of bones” – Jon Batiste (08:00)
• “your couch might kill you, but only if you put it where all couches go” – Jon Batiste (10:30)
• “Or you can just go lick everything at the grocery store for the low, low cost of bail” – Jon Batiste (11:05)
• “Perhaps flavor? Well, I'm sold. It reminds me of when Arby's updated their slogan we have perhaps meats” – Jon Batiste (11:35)

Final Thoughts

This episode of The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert is a testament to the show's ability to blend humor with substantive content. Through Jon Batiste's incisive commentary and Stephen Colbert's dynamic hosting, listeners are treated to an episode that is as informative as it is entertaining. Whether dissecting the quirks of modern life or delving into the latest scientific breakthroughs, the episode maintains a lively pace, ensuring it remains both engaging and enlightening.