The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert

Episode: Michael Shannon | Queasy Does It
Date: December 4, 2025

Overview

On this episode, Stephen Colbert welcomes acclaimed actor Michael Shannon to discuss his roles in the new film Nuremberg and the Netflix miniseries Death by Lightning. The conversation delves into Shannon’s unexpected music side project, the historical significance of the Nuremberg Trials, and the personal impact of inhabiting real figures from history. Colbert’s signature satirical monologue opens the show, covering current events with wit and irreverence.

Main Themes

• Michael Shannon’s dual projects: Nuremberg (film) and Death by Lightning (miniseries)
• The craft and emotional rigor of re-enacting historical events and figures
• Satirical commentary on contemporary news and politics
• The joy and unexpected path of performing R.E.M. covers as an actor-musician

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Stephen Colbert’s Opening Monologue

(04:41 – 15:02)

• Winter vomiting disease: Colbert jokes about norovirus cases doubling nationwide, blending real health news with his trademark sarcasm.
  • “It’s hard for me to tell if I’m going to catch it because I watch the news for a living and I vomit all year round.” (04:49)
• Political satire: Colbert lampoons current and recent events, including Trump’s pardoning of convicted foreign drug traffickers and the juxtaposition with anti-drug messaging.
  • “Just say no to drugs. Unless they’re from former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez.” (06:32)
• Holiday White House décor: Skewers the First Lady’s somber holiday decorations and the lack of representation for non-Christian traditions.
  • “They didn’t even play a Christmas Carol. They played the before music from an antidepressant commercial.” (07:47)
• AI and memoirs: Mocks Melania Trump’s Spanish audiobook as AI-generated, suggesting she “speaks five languages, but apparently none of them appear to be Spanish.” (09:46)
• Pop culture bloopers: Laughs at the accidental inclusion of “barf machine operators” in the Mad Men 4K restoration.
  • “Barf machines didn’t exist in the 1960s. If a man wanted to force himself to vomit back then, he had to think of something repulsive, like a woman having her own credit card.” (13:07)
• Whimsical news: Shares a viral story about a drunken raccoon in a Virginia liquor store.
  • “That is shocking that it did not happen in Florida.” (13:37)

2. Michael Shannon Interview — Part I

(17:01 – 24:03)

Shannon’s Music Project: R.E.M. Covers

• Michael Shannon discusses fronting “Michael Shannon and Jason Narducci and Friends Play the Music of R.E.M.”
  • “It’s a very sexy name. Yes, we really want to keep you going.” (17:30, Shannon)
• Origin story: The project’s roots in Chicago’s musician community with Robbie Fulks’ album residency.
  • “We would pick an album and we do it once… like a Japanese sand painting—it just blows away.” (18:42, Shannon)
• Unanticipated success: Their one-night-only shows evolved into sold-out tours due to popular demand.

Nuremberg and the Role of Justice Robert Jackson

• Shannon explains his role as Supreme Court Justice Robert Jackson, the architect behind the Nuremberg Trials:
  • “The Nuremberg trials were his idea… Jackson believed that they needed to be put on trial and that the whole world needed to see them trying to justify or explain what they did. Which, of course is impossible, but nonetheless, he figured that's how justice works…” (19:31, Shannon)
• The historical stakes are outlined, including the first use of “crimes against humanity” and film as court evidence.
• Behind the scenes: Shooting a marathon 20+ page court room scene in one continuous take.
  • “The takes wound up being 25 minutes long.” (22:30, Shannon)
  • “It really gives you the opportunity to get lost in it, you know… to forget that you’re even doing a movie.” (22:37, Shannon)
• Colbert’s commentary:
  • “It’s a nice reminder that Nazis are the bad guys.” (23:21, Colbert)
• Shannon’s takeaway: Justice Jackson’s determination remains a lesson in the possibility of principled leadership even amidst daunting opposition.
  • “In the face of what seems like kind of insurmountable problems right now, it’s nice to be reminded that someone who is determined enough can actually make a difference and have an impact.” (23:39, Shannon)

3. Michael Shannon Interview — Part II

(25:40 – 27:54)

Death by Lightning and the Legacy of James Garfield

• Shannon portrays President James Garfield; discusses Garfield’s humility and sense of public service.
  • “He didn’t look at it as a power play or… being a king or whatever, but he actually thought his job was to help people, which is nice to… hear from an elected official.” (26:27, Shannon)
• Anecdotes about co-star Nick Offerman (Chester A. Arthur), including their long history in Chicago theater and a cameo in a Foreigner music video.
• Offerman’s past theatrical hairstyles and the “punk” spirit of their youthful collaborations.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• On courtroom drama:
  • “The takes wound up being 25 minutes long.” — Michael Shannon (22:30)
  • “It really gives you the opportunity to get lost in it, you know… to forget that you’re even doing a movie.” — Michael Shannon (22:37)
• On Justice Jackson’s impact:
  • “What Justice Jackson did was really extraordinary… he overcame a lot of adversity to accomplish what he did.” — Michael Shannon (23:37)
• On Garfield’s public service:
  • “He didn’t look at it as a power play or… being a king or whatever, but he actually thought his job was to help people…” — Michael Shannon (26:27)
• On playing music:
  • “We would pick an album and we do it once… like a Japanese sand painting—it just blows away.” — Michael Shannon (18:42)
• Colbert’s satire:
  • “They didn’t even play a Christmas Carol. They played the before music from an antidepressant commercial.” — Stephen Colbert (07:47)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Opening Monologue – Satire on health news, drug politics, holiday décor (04:41 – 15:02)
• Introducing Michael Shannon (17:01)
• Discussion on Shannon’s R.E.M. Band (17:20 – 19:12)
• Nuremberg Role—Historical Insights (19:12 – 24:03)
• Clip from Nuremberg (20:35 – 21:35)
• Behind the Scenes of Filmmaking (21:35 – 23:29)
• Interview returns—Death by Lightning, Garfield, and Offerman (25:40 – 27:54)

Memorable Moments

• Michael Shannon likening one-off album shows to “a Japanese sand painting—just blows away.” (18:42)
• The pair laughing about Nick Offerman’s punk hairstyle from a Foreigner music video. (27:24)
• Colbert joking about modern and historical missteps—barf machines in Mad Men, AI memoirs, and festive White House melancholia.

Tone & Style

As always, Stephen Colbert brings sharp wit and cultural criticism, balancing absurdity with pointed commentary. Michael Shannon is thoughtful and understated, offering genuine insights into difficult subject matter and the craft of acting, while also relishing irreverent stories from his parallel musical life. Their rapport oscillates between serious reflection and playful banter, making the episode entertaining and unexpectedly affecting.

For New Listeners

This episode offers more than laughs; it’s a meditation on accountability, public service, and creative possibility. It’s equally valuable for fans of historical drama, music, or political satire. Michael Shannon’s passion for justice, history, and art powers a conversation that’s funny, smart, and quietly inspiring.