Michael C. Hall

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert Featuring Michael C. Hall

Episode Information

• Title: Michael C. Hall
• Host: The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS)
• Release Date: July 12, 2025

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Introduction

In this engaging episode of The Late Show Pod Show, Stephen Colbert welcomes renowned actor Michael C. Hall, best known for his iconic roles in television series such as Six Feet Under and Dexter. The conversation delves into Hall's career, his latest project Dexter: Resurrection, and personal anecdotes that reveal the man behind the memorable characters.

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Career Beginnings and Breakthrough Roles

Stephen Colbert opens the discussion by reminiscing about Hall's early career:

"Before you were Michael C. Hall, and we knew you from six feet under, and for Dexter, you worked just right around the corner from this theater." ([05:56])

Michael C. Hall shares a pivotal moment in his career:

"I got the news that I had the job under the marquee for this show at the Ed Sullivan Theater. Yeah. Cause I auditioned right around the corner around Studio 54. I went and got a sandwich. I ran into the casting director, and he said, you got the gig." ([06:28])

This serendipitous encounter underscores the often-unpredictable nature of acting careers and highlights the importance of being in the right place at the right time.

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Dexter: Resurrection – A New Chapter

Transitioning to his most recent work, Colbert introduces Hall's new spinoff series:

"You know my next guest as television's most popular serial killer. He now stars in the new Dexter spinoff Resurrection." ([04:47])

Hall provides insights into the character's evolution and the creative process behind the series:

"I think he's remarkably capable on the one hand and remarkably limited in other ways in terms of his ability to function as a human being. And people can relate to that. And he's really good at getting out of jams." ([12:19])

Colbert humorously likens Dexter to other iconic figures:

"He's the MacGyver of murder." ([12:45])

This comparison emphasizes Dexter's resourcefulness and the intricate scenarios fans can expect in Dexter: Resurrection.

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Behind the Scenes and On-Set Experiences

The conversation shifts to Hall's interactions with fellow cast members, particularly highlighting his experiences working with Uma Thurman and Peter Dinklage.

Colbert expresses curiosity about working alongside these stars:

"Do you ever get distracted when you're, like. You're doing a scene with, like, Uma Thurman? You're like, oh, my God, that's Beatrix Kiddo. That's the bride. Is she gonna pull out a samurai sword? What's going on?" ([10:52])

Hall shares his admiration for his co-stars:

"Uma Thurman is an icon. The first day she was on set, I was talking to Kristen Ritter, who's also on the show, and we were just Uma Thurman over there. You know, it was kind of hard to shake it off and sort of accept her as the character she was playing." ([11:07])

Regarding Peter Dinklage, Hall highlights their camaraderie:

"He was awesome. Like, it was along with everything else, it was like getting a front row seat to watch a great actor at work. He's so playful and facile and just." ([11:21])

The dynamics between cast members add depth to the show's environment, fostering a collaborative and creative atmosphere.

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Personal Reflections and Anecdotes

Colbert digs deeper into Hall's personal life, eliciting heartfelt reflections:

"Has she given you ideas for Dexter?" ([08:13])

Hall recounts a childhood memory influenced by his mother's perspective:

"There was a time when I was coming back to the show when she thought it might be a good idea if you just joined a monastery. So Dexter just in a monastery? I don't know that anybody would really want to watch it, but I think more than anything, she just wants to make sure that Dexter's getting enough sleep." ([08:22])

Hall further shares a story from his early years that influences his acting:

"I got my new zips. I was really excited. I was out on the playground and I got some mud on my zips, and I was really upset. So upset that I started to cry. Oh, and some second or third grader older kid started to tease me and laugh at me for crying, and I attacked him... I remember when Dexter was happening. Mom saying, yeah, I remember when you attacked that kid when your zips got muddy. You had it in you." ([09:24])

This anecdote underscores the authentic emotional depth Hall brings to his roles, drawing from personal experiences.

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Audience Connection and Character Appeal

Colbert probes Hall on the universal appeal of his character Dexter:

"Why do you think modern audiences relate to a serial killer so much?" ([12:10])

Hall offers a nuanced perspective:

"Different people like it for different reasons. Obviously, they like to see him do in the bad guys, but I don't know. I think he's remarkably capable on the one hand and remarkably limited in other ways in terms of his ability to function as a human being. And people can relate to that." ([12:19])

By highlighting Dexter's multifaceted nature, Hall explains how the character resonates with audiences, balancing competence with human vulnerabilities.

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Conclusion

The episode culminates with Colbert thanking Hall and promoting the premiere of Dexter: Resurrection:

"Dexter Resurrection premieres on Paramount with Showtime on July 11th. Michael C. Hall, everybody." ([12:49])

Listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of Michael C. Hall's journey, his latest project, and the personal experiences that inform his powerful performances. The conversation not only celebrates Hall's achievements but also offers a glimpse into the meticulous craftsmanship behind beloved television characters.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Michael C. Hall on Landing His Role:

  "I ran into the casting director, and he said, you got the gig." ([06:28])

• Hall on Dexter’s Relatability:

  "He's remarkably capable on the one hand and remarkably limited in other ways in terms of his ability to function as a human being." ([12:19])

• Humorous Comparison by Colbert:

  "He's the MacGyver of murder." ([12:45])

• Personal Anecdote from Hall:

  "I remember when Dexter was happening. Mom saying, yeah, I remember when you attacked that kid when your zips got muddy. You had it in you." ([09:24])

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This episode of The Late Show Pod Show offers fans and new listeners alike an in-depth look at Michael C. Hall’s artistry, his role in Dexter: Resurrection, and the personal stories that shape his acclaimed performances. With thoughtful insights and engaging conversation, Stephen Colbert ensures a captivating listen that underscores why Hall remains a standout figure in contemporary television.

Transcript

[Stephen Colbert]

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[Stephen Colbert]

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[Michael C. Hall]

It's the Late Show Pontcho with Stephen Colbert.

[Stephen Colbert]

Welcome back, ladies and gentlemen. You know my next guest as television's most popular serial killer. He now stars in the new Dexter spinoff Resurrection. What?

[Michael C. Hall]

Nothing. That's just it. I'm seeing nothing. Ferrison did a kill here. He cleaned up well. Still no blood. It's interesting. Shower curtain's been around a while, but the plastic curtain liner is new. Okay, thinking he used the plastic liner to wrap the body and then replaced it with a new one. He may be following in my footsteps. I'm not sure that's something to be happy about.

[Stephen Colbert]

Please welcome back to the Late Show, Michael C. Hall. Hi, Michael C. Hall. Hi. How are you? Nice to see you again.

[Michael C. Hall]

I'm well. Nice to see you.

[Stephen Colbert]

Now, before you were Michael C. Hall, and we knew you from six feet under, and for Dexter, you worked just right around the corner from this theater. I did. Over there at Studio 54. Cabaret is the MC.

[Michael C. Hall]

Wow.

[Stephen Colbert]

That is a quality.

[Michael C. Hall]

Yeah. Look at that.

[Stephen Colbert]

That's a quality. Look, man.

[Michael C. Hall]

Yeah. Little baby.

[Stephen Colbert]

There you are. You should rouge your nipples more often.

[Michael C. Hall]

Who says? I.

[Stephen Colbert]

That's true. My apologies. You don't know.

[Michael C. Hall]

You don't know.

[Stephen Colbert]

I assumed. I assumed. What do you remember about doing this? This must have been big for you.

[Michael C. Hall]

Oh, it was like. Yeah. It was the job I got When I was able to tell family about it, where they were like, oh, okay, maybe this is gonna work out. You know, I actually realized driving here today that I got the news that I had the job under the marquee for this show at the Ed Sullivan Theater. Yeah. Cause I auditioned right around the corner around Studio 54. I went and got a sandwich. I ran into the casting director, and he said, you got the gig. So it was. Yeah, right here.

[Stephen Colbert]

You ran into the casting director right in front of us.

[Michael C. Hall]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Long time ago.

[Michael C. Hall]

Back in the late 1900s, last time.

[Stephen Colbert]

We saw you on screen as Dexterity.

[Michael C. Hall]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

You were dead.

[Michael C. Hall]

So it seemed.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yes, it really did seem very convincingly that you were dead.

[Michael C. Hall]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

And now you're all better.

[Michael C. Hall]

That's right.

[Stephen Colbert]

Cause this isn't a prequel, right?

[Michael C. Hall]

No, no, it's.

[Stephen Colbert]

That's a heck of a band aid.

[Michael C. Hall]

Well, it was very cold on that forest floor.

[Stephen Colbert]

There you go.

[Michael C. Hall]

Slow your heart rate down. His son was a pretty good shot, but fortunately, not quite good enough.

[Stephen Colbert]

Okay.

[Michael C. Hall]

Yeah. You know, after some time passed, I was having a conversation with Marco Ciega, our director, and I was just missing the camaraderie, appreciating what a unique thing it is to work with people you love on something that you love. And I just said, what if he didn't die? Is that crazy? I mean, he's a resilient guy.

[Stephen Colbert]

Sure.

[Michael C. Hall]

Yeah, exactly. And one thing led to another, and the next thing I know, this conversation about how that might happen and these things gained.

[Stephen Colbert]

What if he was taking a lot of supplements?

[Michael C. Hall]

Yeah. Yeah. We didn't see the scene, but, yeah, he took a lot of vitamins that morning.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yes. So I know your mom has opinions about your work. I have heard. Has she given you ideas for Dexter?

[Michael C. Hall]

She has. There was a time when I was coming back to the show when she thought it might be a good idea if you just joined a monastery.

[Stephen Colbert]

So Dexter just in a monastery?

[Michael C. Hall]

Yeah, I think it would be nice for him. I don't know that anybody would really want to watch it, but I think more than anything, she just wants to make sure that Dexter's getting enough sleep.

[Stephen Colbert]

How does she feel about her son being famous for playing this psychotic serial killer?

[Michael C. Hall]

I mean, I wish she could sit right here and answer that herself, but I think she's sort of bemused by it. She actually. She recalls this story of me when I was in. I think I was in first grade around there. I'd gotten a new pair of zips. Do you remember those?

[Stephen Colbert]

No.

[Michael C. Hall]

They were. Yeah, again, I'm old. I'm old.

[Stephen Colbert]

I did not graduate in 96.

[Michael C. Hall]

I love. They were like running shoes. They were blue with a yellow stripe. There was an ad on TV where kids would make parallel lines and then make the zone zips, the big Z. Anyway.

[Stephen Colbert]

Oh, zips.

[Michael C. Hall]

Yeah, sure. And then. And so I got my new zips. I was really excited. I was out on the playground and I got some mud on my zips, and I was really upset. So upset that I started to cry. Oh, and some. Yeah, and some second or third grader older kid started to tease me and laugh at me for crying, and I attacked him. And I didn't really remember this, but I remember when Dexter was happening. Mom saying, yeah, I remember when you attacked that kid when your zips got muddy. You had it in you.

[Stephen Colbert]

It's a fine line. It's a fine line.

[Michael C. Hall]

Yeah. And if I'm ever, you know, if I'm ever at work and I'm struggling to sort of get into a scene, I just remember my muddy zips.

[Stephen Colbert]

It does the job. You have to take a quick break. We'll be right back with more. People are pretty darn excited about the cast of the new series. You got not just you people obviously excited for Michael C. Hall, but Uma Thurman, Peter Dinklage and others.

[Michael C. Hall]

And others. Yeah, that's. It's not just me.

[Stephen Colbert]

It could be anyone.

[Michael C. Hall]

Yeah, it could be.

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It could be anybody.

[Stephen Colbert]

It could be Sarah Bernhardt, anyone. Soup. Soupy Sails. Olivier could show up. Do you ever get distracted when you're, like. You're doing a scene with, like, Uma Thurman? You're like, oh, my God, that's Beatrix Kiddo. That's the bride. Is she gonna pull out a samurai sword? What's going on?

[Michael C. Hall]

Yeah, yeah, she's an icon. The first day she was on set, I was talking to Kristen Ritter, who's also on the show, and we were just Uma Thurman over there. You know, it was kind of hard to shake it off and sort of accept her as the character she was playing.

[Stephen Colbert]

But what about Dinklage? You guys get along?

[Michael C. Hall]

Sure. He was awesome. Like, it was along with everything else, it was like getting a front row seat to watch a great actor at work. He's so playful and facile and just.

[Stephen Colbert]

Does he ever pull that Game of Thrones thing card, though? Go like, we had dragons. This is nice. But we had dragons.

[Michael C. Hall]

Yeah. He doesn't. He never said that. Actually. He and Eric Stonestreet from Modern Family are also on the show.

[Stephen Colbert]

The two of them are the others. He's one of the others.

[Michael C. Hall]

He's one of the others. They would have a sort of back and forth about who was on the more iconic show of the era, Game of Thrones versus Modern Family. When one of them would bring up Modern Family or Game of Thrones, the other would say, what's that show? I've never heard of it. It was fun to watch. I didn't weigh in on the debate.

[Stephen Colbert]

I just.

[Michael C. Hall]

I was neutral.

[Stephen Colbert]

Well, I'd like you to weigh in on this. Why do you think? Because it's so pervasive. Why do you think, like, modern audiences relate to a serial killer so much?

[Michael C. Hall]

Yeah, I, you know, different people like it for different reasons. Obviously, they like to see him do in the bad guys, but I don't know. I think he's remarkably capable on the one hand and remarkably limited in other ways in terms of his ability to function as a human being. And people can relate to that. And he's really good at getting out of jams.

[Stephen Colbert]

Good at getting out of jams, yeah.

[Michael C. Hall]

People like to watch him get out of jams.

[Stephen Colbert]

Sure. He's the MacGyver of murder.

[Michael C. Hall]

That's right.

[Stephen Colbert]

There you go. Thanks so much. Thanks for being here. Dexter Resurrection premieres on Paramount with Showtime on July 11th. Michael C. Hall, 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.

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[Stephen Colbert]

I am not entertained.

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