The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert
Episode: Meanwhile | Tom Brady's Dog Clone
Date: November 9, 2025
Host: Stephen Colbert
Episode Overview
This episode of "The Late Show Pod Show" features Stephen Colbert’s signature “Meanwhile” segment—a rapid-fire, tongue-in-cheek rundown of quirky news items from around the world. The episode revels in absurdity and wit, covering topics ranging from celebrity dog clones and peculiar research breakthroughs to pop culture oddities. Colbert’s light-hearted, satirical style shines as he riffs through headlines, poking fun at celebrities, scientific innovations, and viral moments with a sharp comedic edge.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Absurd Current Events Rundown ("Meanwhile")
- (01:08 – 01:32) Opening Analogy & Segment Introduction
Colbert opens with a trademark poetic comparison, describing his monologue as an intricate piece of jewelry, but positions “Meanwhile” as “the glittering stank bangle of news":“Sometimes… after beaching a stolen jet ski on a garbage scowl while snorting crushed up Sudafed, I string some half-eaten Jolly Ranchers onto a dirty boot lace and parade around wearing nothing but the glittering stank bangle of news that is my segment. Meanwhile, it’s poetry. Meanwhile, it’s really more—it’s more like poetry than comedy.” — Stephen Colbert [01:16]
2. Noteworthy News Stories
Pumpkin Dropfoolery
- (01:35) A Utah man dropped a 1,900-pound pumpkin onto his Geo Metro, which “significantly increased” the car’s value.
Tom Brady's Dog Clone
- (01:45)
NFL star Tom Brady has revealed his new dog, Juni, is a clone of his late dog Lua—courtesy of Colossal Biosciences.“As a dog lover, I get it. And as a Tom Brady lover, I hope people are just as understanding about me cloning Tom Brady. They do my yard work. They do a great job.” — Stephen Colbert [01:49]
Colbert jokes he used a budget alternative—“Crazy Carl’s Clone Zone”—leading to all his Tom Bradys suffering from canine hip dysplasia.
Shark-Resistant Wetsuits
- (02:30)
New wetsuit designs using Kevlar and nanofibers aim to protect against shark bites. Colbert quips about volunteering others for dangerous product trials:“You know what, Rick? You really spearheaded this whole thing. You should have the honor—au contraire, it’s your baby. Get in the water. But first, here, put on my lucky ham. It’s a Tim Conway joke.” — Stephen Colbert [02:49]
Goop’s “Very Adult” Advent Calendar
- (03:00)
Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop Holiday Gift Guide includes a $1,300 “naughty advent calendar” stocked with risqué items.“Holiday kinks. Reminds me of that classic Christmas song, 'I saw Mommy ball gag Santa Claus.' I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry to get that image in your mind.” — Stephen Colbert [03:20]
Florida Man’s Halloween DUI
- (03:30)
A Florida man was arrested for DUI on Halloween, dressed as a prison inmate.“You know what they say, dress for the job you want. Meanwhile, there he is.” — Stephen Colbert [03:36]
David Beckham Knighted
- (03:38)
“From now on, you shall address him as Sir Crotchalot.” — Stephen Colbert [03:40]
Kardashian-Paulson Moon Landing Debate
- (03:44)
Kim Kardashian and Sarah Paulson allegedly spar over the moon landing’s authenticity. Colbert mocks Kardashian’s grasp of astronaut names:“You don’t exactly establish a ton of credibility… when you call Neil Armstrong ‘the other one.’” — Stephen Colbert [04:03]
“One small step for man, one giant leap for… me. Neil, first man on the moon, Armstrong.” — Stephen Colbert [04:12]
AI for Weed Detection
- (04:20)
Researchers use AI to spot weeds in farmers' fields; Colbert lampoons the demise of “high paying weed-spotting jobs” for English majors.
Surprised English Majors
- (06:08)
Colbert notes a vocal audience response about English majors, reveals he's married to one, and gently ribs them:“Hey, it’s a fine major.” — Stephen Colbert [06:10]
Blue Dogs of Chernobyl
- (06:14)
Mysterious phenomenon: dogs in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone are turning blue.“Man, Bluey’s origin story just took a dark turn. Look how worried he looks.” — Stephen Colbert [06:18]
Goonies LEGO Set
- (06:25)
Announcement of a LEGO set based on the movie "The Goonies"; Colbert jokes it's better than a hypothetical "My Dinner with Andre" set.
Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments
- “As a dog lover, I get it. And as a Tom Brady lover, I hope people are just as understanding about me cloning Tom Brady. They do my yard work. They do a great job.”
— Stephen Colbert on cloning, [01:49] - “Holiday kinks. Reminds me of that classic Christmas song, ‘I saw Mommy ball gag Santa Claus.’ I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry to get that image in your mind.”
— Stephen Colbert on Goop’s gift guide, [03:20] - “You don’t exactly establish a ton of credibility… when you call Neil Armstrong ‘the other one.’”
— Stephen Colbert mocking Kardashian, [04:03] - “Man, Bluey’s origin story just took a dark turn.”
— Stephen Colbert on Chernobyl’s blue dogs, [06:18] - “My dinner with Andre. Thank you for listening.”
— Stephen Colbert, ending the segment with a subtle wink, [06:45]
Timeline of Key Segments
| Timestamp | Topic | |:-------------:|:------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:08-01:32 | Segment intro: “Meanwhile” poetic analogy | | 01:35 | 1,900-pound pumpkin dropped onto Geo Metro | | 01:45 | Tom Brady’s cloned dog, and Tom Brady clones gag | | 02:30 | Anti-shark bite wetsuits and product test joke | | 03:00 | Goop’s naughty advent calendar | | 03:30 | Florida man's Halloween DUI in inmate costume | | 03:38 | David Beckham’s knighthood | | 03:44 | Kardashian vs. Paulson: moon landing debate | | 04:20 | AI weed-spotting displaces English majors | | 06:08 | Colbert jokes about English majors; “married to one” | | 06:14 | Blue dogs in Chernobyl Exclusion Zone | | 06:25 | “Goonies” LEGO set vs. “My Dinner with Andre” |
Tone and Style
As always, Stephen Colbert’s tone is playful, irreverent, and laced with clever pop-culture references. The “Meanwhile” segment in this episode leans into absurdity and satirical takes on the news, delivering both laughs and a light social commentary.