Noah Wyle | Tower Of Tariffs

Summary

The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert Episode: Noah Wyle | Tower Of Tariffs Release Date: April 4, 2025

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Overview

In this episode of The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert, host Stephen Colbert delivers a sharp and humorous monologue critiquing former President Donald Trump's economic policies, particularly focusing on the recent implementation of tariffs and their global repercussions. The episode then transitions into an engaging interview with actor Noah Wyle, star of the new medical drama The Pit. Wyle discusses the show's inspiration, its authentic portrayal of post-COVID healthcare challenges, and the personal impact it has had on both him and real-life medical professionals.

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Economic Monologue: Trump's Tariffs and Their Global Fallout

Timestamp: [00:00 - 05:30]

Stephen Colbert opens the episode with a biting satire of the current economic downturn, attributing the worst market dip since COVID to Donald Trump's tariff policies. He humorously suggests the possibility of a "deep state" being responsible for the economic fiasco, only to dismiss the idea with his characteristic wit.

• Market Crash Commentary:
  • "The Dow Jones nosedived 1700 points joining the S and P and NASDAQ and having their biggest drop since 2020." [01:00]
  • "Today's smoldering economic crater incinerated everything from crude oil to big tech stocks." [02:15]

Colbert delves into the impact of these tariffs on American businesses and global markets, highlighting significant drops in major brands:

• Impact on Brands:
  • "Adidas shares fell by almost 10%, Puma shares plummeted 11%, and tariffs wiped out $13 billion in Nike market value." [03:50]
  • "H&M fell 3%. This is terrible news for our bralette industry." [04:00]

He humorously laments the potential rise in prices for everyday items, joking about Americans switching to "meth" as a coffee substitute due to increased costs.

• Humorous Remarks:
  • "These tariffs are going to increase prices on everything, especially products that are not plentiful here. Like coffee. Well, I guess we'll just switch to America's favorite coffee substitute, meth." [04:15]

Colbert also criticizes the lack of effectiveness of these tariffs, suggesting that if a "deep state" existed, they would have mitigated the economic downturn.

• Critique of Tariff Policies:
  • "The Economist described as bonkers. All they did was take the amount of stuff we buy from any given country, divide that by how much less stuff they buy from us, and divide that in half, and you get the tariff number somehow." [04:45]

He further mocks the geopolitical fallout, referencing European and Australian leaders' strong reactions against the U.S. tariffs.

• Global Reactions:
  • "European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the tariffs will be a major blow to the world economy." [06:00]
  • "Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was pretty upset. The administration's tariffs have no basis in logic." [07:00]

Colbert wraps up his monologue by sarcastically endorsing Trump's economic strategies, juxtaposing them with absurd analogies to emphasize their ineffectiveness.

• Sarcastic Endorsement:
  • "Trump is doing the right thing because Howard Lutnick says he is. Let Donald Trump run the global economy. He knows what he's doing." [12:30]

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Interview with Noah Wyle: Exploring The Pit

Timestamp: [14:51 - 26:22]

After a brief interlude of advertisements, Stephen Colbert welcomes Noah Wyle, renowned for his roles in ER and The Librarians, to discuss his latest project, The Pit. The conversation delves into the show's concept, its authenticity, and the motivations behind its creation.

Introduction to The Pit

• Show's Realism and Authenticity:
  • "We set out to make the most realistic and authentic medical show that's ever been on TV. And that isn't just the procedures and the terminology." [16:25] - Noah Wyle
  • "One shift in a Pittsburgh emergency room. You go to work with my character, Dr. Robby Rabinovitch, at 7am and we go home at 10pm and a lot happens in between." [18:14] - Noah Wyle

Wyle emphasizes the show's focus on post-COVID healthcare challenges, aiming to portray the mental and emotional toll on medical practitioners accurately.

• Post-COVID Healthcare Representation:
  • "We're on the other side of this line of demarcation that happened in healthcare. It's not a pretty place to live." [16:50] - Noah Wyle

Impact on Real-Life Medical Professionals

The interview highlights a poignant moment where Wyle and the cast visited a Children's Hospital, receiving heartfelt feedback from medical staff.

• Emotional Connection:
  • "Seeing people that do this for a living feel seen and heard... it means the world to us." [19:24] - Noah Wyle

Wyle shares a touching story about his mother's reaction to watching an episode, revealing the deep personal connections actors can form with their roles and the real-world implications of their work.

• Personal Anecdote:
  • "She told me this last particular episode that aired was triggering in a way she didn't anticipate... I am very conscious of the toll that it takes on those practitioners." [25:08] - Noah Wyle

Collaboration and Industry Insights

Colbert and Wyle reminisce about their early careers, particularly their overlapping timelines with the iconic show Friends. Wyle discusses the collaborative spirit among actors and creators, leading to crossover episodes and mutual support.

• Early Career and Collaborations:
  • "We were all very collegiate. We all knew each other before those shows were cast." [23:48] - Noah Wyle
  • "It was fun, really fun." [24:17] - Stephen Colbert

Wyle humorously touches on the challenges of auditioning and securing roles, highlighting the unpredictability of the entertainment industry.

• Audition Stories:
  • "Except for the ones that you know me from." [23:55] - Noah Wyle
  • "We have to take a quick break. We'll be right back with more Noah Wylie." [21:36] - Stephen Colbert

Legacy and Personal Growth

The conversation shifts to Wyle's upbringing and the influence of his mother, a nurse, on his portrayal of medical professionals. This segment underscores the importance of personal experiences in shaping an actor's approach to their craft.

• Influence of Family:
  • "My mom is a nurse. She loves it... I recognize, wow. I work among doctors and nurses all day long, and I am very conscious of the toll that it takes on those practitioners." [25:10] - Noah Wyle

Wyle reflects on the emotional weight of portraying medical professionals and the broader societal impact of The Pit.

• Societal Impact:
  • "It's about 35 years worth of suppressed memories that really do need to get aired and talked about. Because it's important." [25:54] - Noah Wyle

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Conclusion

Stephen Colbert's episode featuring Noah Wyle offers a compelling blend of sharp political satire and a heartfelt exploration of the medical drama The Pit. Through incisive commentary and an engaging interview, the episode highlights pressing economic issues while celebrating the dedication and authenticity brought to television portrayals of healthcare professionals. Notable quotes and personal anecdotes enrich the discussion, providing listeners with both humor and insight into the challenges of modern medicine and the entertainment industry's role in reflecting real-world struggles.

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Notable Quotes

• Stephen Colbert on Market Crash:

  • "The Dow Jones nosedived 1700 points joining the S and P and NASDAQ and having their biggest drop since 2020." [01:00]

• Noah Wyle on Show's Authenticity:

  • "We set out to make the most realistic and authentic medical show that's ever been on TV." [16:25]

• Colbert on Global Reactions:

  • "European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the tariffs will be a major blow to the world economy." [06:00]

• Wyle on Personal Impact:

  • "Seeing people that do this for a living feel seen and heard... it means the world to us." [19:24]

• Colbert's Sarcastic Endorsement:

  • "Trump is doing the right thing because Howard Lutnick says he is. Let Donald Trump run the global economy. He knows what he's doing." [12:30]

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Final Thoughts

This episode effectively balances political humor with meaningful conversations about the healthcare industry's current state and its representation in media. Stephen Colbert's ability to intertwine satire with substantive dialogue offers listeners both laughter and thoughtful commentary, making it a standout installment of The Late Show Pod Show series.

Transcript

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[Stephen Colbert]

I've been counted out, dismissed, passed over, told I'd never be a golfer with just one arm. But the only thing that feels better than proving people wrong is out driving them. I'm 14 year old golfer Tommy Morrissey and I want to be remembered for my ability as a champion partner of the Masters. Bank of America supports everyone determined to find out what's possible in golf and in life. What would you like the power to do? Bank of America bank of America NA member FDIC. Copyright 2025 bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved. Welcome one and all to the Late show. I'm your host Stephen Colbert. How you doing? Everybody feeling liberated? Cause yeah, today. Today was the first day of trading on Wall street since Trump slathered our economy in honey and staked it down next to a fire anthill. The Dow Jones nosedived 1700 points joining the S and P and NASDAQ and having their biggest drop since 2020. So worst day for our economy since COVID Just a little reminder this time he's the disease. I'm just spitballing here. Has anyone thought about injecting our money with bleach? Now, one bit of good news coming out all this. It's all pretty solid proof that there is no deep state. Cause if there was, they would have stopped this. Okay, but if they do exist, I just want to say to the cabal of financial and governmental elites who pull all the strings behind the scenes, maybe put a Pause on your 5G chip, JFK Junior Adrenochrome, Chemtrail Orgy and jump in here cuz we're dying. Fidelio. Fidelio. Today's smoldering economic crater incinerated everything from crude oil to big tech stocks. The only company doing well, the proud [e-mail] Jim. Jim, can we see their stock price? Incredible. The hardest hit were any company that manufactures their products. Over in Asia this morning, Adidas shares fell by almost 10%, Puma shares plummeted 11% and tariffs wiped out $13 billion in Nike market value gap plunged 20% and H&M fell 3%. This is terrible news for our bralette industry. Now, where will Americans get fun, flirty tops without the tyranny of an never go from lounge to party so seamlessly again. These tariffs. These tariffs are going to increase prices on everything, especially products that are not plentiful here. Like coffee. Well, I guess. No, I guess we'll just switch to America's favorite coffee substitute, meth. I take mine. In case anybody's asking, I take mine with cream and two teeth. Another popular chocolate. So get ready for America's favorite new Candy, M&MS.

[Noah Wyle]

Oops.

[Stephen Colbert]

All shells. It's like a flavorless skittle. And because of tariffs against Italy, we're going to have to pay more for Parmigiano. Reggiano. No, no, dammit. I will not go back to the green shaker of unrefrigerated dust that America has the balls to call parm. I am not interested in eggplant ala dandruff. So that's it. That's it. Over a century of economic policy dumped in a ditch for no coherent reason. And what's the President doing? He's jetting off to Florida to watch golf. Wait a second. Hold on, hold on. Maybe that's the whole problem, Mr. President. You know the stock market's not like golf, right? You're not trying to get the lowest score possible. Before he left, the President stopped by for another episode of Chopper Talk. He told reporters this is all part of the plan.

[Noah Wyle]

I think it's going very well.

[Stephen Colbert]

The markets are going to boom. The stocking is going to boom. The country is going to boom. Yes, boom. The traditional sound for when everything stays intact. And he's right. Today the market fall down, go boom. A lot of stockbrokers make boom. Boom in their pants. Peabody, please. There you go. Not surprisingly, the rest of the planet is not thrilled with us. And our allies are making their detest known. For example, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the tariffs will be a major blow to the world economy. Okay, that's a little far. Donald Trump would never deliver a major blow. I stand corrected. Right now, we're making everybody mad. Even Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Maxime Prevot, who said by playing with matches, the United States will end up getting burned direct and to the point. Looks like that Belgian did not waffle Waffenslammen. Australian. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was pretty upset. The administration's tariffs have no basis in logic, and they go against the basis of our two nations partnership. This is not the act of a friend. Yes. This is not the act of a friend. This is the act of a poisonous spider or a poisonous snake or a poisonous koala or a poisonous labradoodle. Everything here will kill you. Look out. Poisonous Prime Minister. I got a fang on the back of one heel. My dad was a platypus. It's not just the world economy. Trump's tariffs are destroying America's closest alliances. Last week, Canada's new Prime Minister said that in response to the tariffs, the old relationship we had with the United States is now over. Oh, no. Oh, no, no. We have to win Canada back.

[Noah Wyle]

It's been one week since you looked at me.

[Stephen Colbert]

How did the Trump team come up with their Dow Jones cratering secret sauce? The White House released this formula. I don't know what that means, but really smart of them to import all those Greek letters before the tariffs hit. Now, here's the thing. Here's the thing. You saw the formula. You saw that formula. That may look like big brain brainiac stuff, but it's not. All they did was take the amount of stuff we buy from any given country, divide that by how much less stuff they buy from us, and divide that in half, and you get the tariff number somehow trying to make our trade numbers totally even with every country, which the famously level headed folks at the Economist described as bonkers. On the podcast, the Economist provided additional analysis with this audio supplement. Because it makes no sense. It makes no sense to try to have perfectly balanced trade with everybody. The Economist pointed out that's like asking a company to ensure that each of its suppliers is also a customer. No, folks, that works. No, it always works. That's why. Listen up, folks. That's why I feed cheeseburgers to cows, okay? I love beef. Fed beef. Where's the beef? Everybody's trying to figure out the logic behind these tariffs. And according to some guys on the Internet who actually did this, the Trump formula is apparently what you get if you ask ChatGPT to make tariff policy. Oh, busted. Somebody cheated on your tariff homework. Oh, God. I didn't finish my project for Liberation Day or start it or decide what it is. Help me out, Secretary Robobrain. How me do tariff? Give it big knockers. Now, the formula may be nonsense, but so are the countries they're aimed at. For example, the tariffs hit Antarctic islands inhabited by zero humans and many penguins. And the outrage. Just look at this massive protest. They even, they even dressed up white tag tails, One of the world's Smallest countries got hit with a tariff gun. But no surprise, one country missing from the Russia. Don't worry, it doesn't mean they were forgotten. Instead of tariff, Trump's going to hit them with an absolutely devastating Harry and David fruit basket. Trump's lackeys are doing everything they can to sell this turdsaster. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick railed against our trade partners, claiming that the current system isn't fair. The European Union won't take chicken from America. They won't take lobsters from America. They hate our beef because our beef is beautiful and theirs is weak. Our beef is beautiful. Does Howard Lutnick want a bone? A t bone. Beautifully weak beef. Get out of here, you weak beef. By the way, weak beef was actually my stripper name. Hello, ladies. Bottom line, Trump is doing the right thing because Howard Lutnick says he is. Let Donald Trump run the global economy. He knows what he's doing. He's been talking about it for 35 years. Yes, that's right. Just like how I've been talking about learning how to play the bassoon for 35 years. And today is my liberation and the home of the. We got a great show for you tonight.

[Noah Wyle]

Coming up.

[Stephen Colbert]

Noah Wiley.

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[Stephen Colbert]

Welcome back, everybody. Ladies and gentlemen, you know my first guest tonight as an actor from ER and the Librarians. He now stars in the Pit.

[Noah Wyle]

Robbie, I could lose my medical license.

[Stephen Colbert]

Come on, man.

[Noah Wyle]

You never heard of second chances? Here's your second chance. 30 day inpatient treatment program, followed by random urine tests, 50 to 60 a year, followed by mandatory NA meetings three to four times a week for the first three years of a five year program. You need help.

[Stephen Colbert]

What about you, man? What about you?

[Noah Wyle]

I'm not the only one who's a little up here. Robbie, why don't you look in the mirror? What's that supposed to mean? I never had a complete meltdown. No, you just cause them and other people. You're blaming me for what happened to you. What happened to me? What happened to me? Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Ho ho, ho.

[Noah Wyle]

You are so full of. You let me down. You let everybody down, especially yourself.

[Stephen Colbert]

Please. Welcome to the Late Show. Noah Wylie. Hey, nice to meet you.

[Noah Wyle]

It's wonderful to meet you.

[Stephen Colbert]

Lovely to have you on.

[Noah Wyle]

Thank you.

[Stephen Colbert]

Congratulations, everybody. This is really, really. Everyone is talking about the Pit. It's an extraordinary. It's a little cultural event right now. I mean, this is, you know, I want to get to like you coming from ER to this show now. But why do you think this is like, striking such a nerve? What do you think it is about this show that's really appealing to people?

[Noah Wyle]

Well, we set out to make the most realistic and authentic medical show that's ever been on tv. And that isn't just the procedures and the terminology. It's trying to really identify what's happening with practitioners right now post Covid. And, you know, we're on the other side of this line of demarcation that happened in healthcare. We could almost say BC was before COVID And we're living in the ad of it all now. And it's. It's not a pretty place to live.

[Stephen Colbert]

Well, it's getting incredible reviews. Here it is. The Pit has revolutionized the medical drama. The Pit is the best show on tv. And Noah Wiley is simply brilliant. And my favorite, Bury me in the Pit, which I think is a compliment. It could be a cry for Help. I'm not sure people first saw you and scrubs back in ER. 93. 94.

[Noah Wyle]

1994.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yep, 1994. There you go. Here we go. Here's the whole gang. There you are. There's a. There it is just. I was an avid watcher. Did you ever think you'd do another medical drama?

[Noah Wyle]

No, no, no, no, no.

[Stephen Colbert]

Even with the same guy, this John Wells. Er, John Wells.

[Noah Wyle]

He didn't want to do one either. Neither did Scott Gemmell. And the three of us came back together only because during COVID we recognized that there was another story to tell and that it was important to us to tell it, that this is a community we care a lot about. And we believe firmly that the strength of our health care system is proportional to the mental health of our practitioners and the degree to which we support them. And the time is right.

[Stephen Colbert]

15 episodes, 15 hours. That's explain sort of the premise of how it's presented.

[Noah Wyle]

It all takes place in one day. One shift in a Pittsburgh emergency room. You go to work with my character, Dr. Robby Rabinovitch, at 7am and we go home at 10pm and a lot happens in between. One hour is one hour of the shift every week.

[Stephen Colbert]

So recently, you and the cast, you and the cast of the Pit visited Children's Hospital in la. Oh, my goodness. And we have a clip right here.

[Noah Wyle]

You're a big part of me going into emergency. Yeah. Growing up, my parents and I would watch this. Can I ask you to sign my. This is my. Holy smokes. Are you kidding me? This is my board certificate. Oh, wow. Wow. This means more than coming from the actual board.

[Stephen Colbert]

Wow. This is the first. Awesome. Brad.

[Noah Wyle]

American Board of Pediatrics.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah.

[Noah Wyle]

Thank you so much.

[Stephen Colbert]

That's great.

[Noah Wyle]

In retrospect, I shouldn't have written have a Bitch in Summer, Noah. It's kind of an important document. Sure. I shouldn't have said it.

[Stephen Colbert]

What does it feel like to know that inspires a woman like that?

[Noah Wyle]

Oh, my goodness. That whole trip to Children's and seeing people that do this for a living feel seen and heard, and coming up and saying thank you means the world to us. And the fact that I've had any impact outside of my children's life is miraculous. So I'm really gratified.

[Stephen Colbert]

Well, after playing how many seasons of.

[Noah Wyle]

Er, there were 15 total. I did the first 11 part of the 12th and came back and did half of the 15th.

[Stephen Colbert]

So over a decade, you know, playing a doctor, do you ever find yourself in emergency situations and people looking to you. Do you ever forget that you're not a doctor?

[Noah Wyle]

The things that immediately occur to me when you ask me that question is all the times I've misdiagnosed my children or I've like, just go put some cold. Oh, it's a compound fracture. Oh, okay. Maybe cold water is not going to work. Yeah. I happen to have been unfortunate enough to be first on the scene at a couple accident sites. And the first rule of medicine is do no harm. So I stand back and try not to do anything bad. But. But, you know when you're on an airplane and someone says, is there anybody on the plane with any medical knowledge? Somebody who's experiencing chest pain and every head looks at you, you just think to yourself, now's my time. Put me in.

[Stephen Colbert]

So again, I just want to show. Here you are. How old are you when you started off in.

[Noah Wyle]

I was 22 years old when we shot the pilot, 23, I believe when we aired, 22 years old when I walked off at 38.

[Stephen Colbert]

So you were young and having fun. I understand that at one point you did not believe that you were a doctor, but you did sew some stitches. You did suture someone on the crew.

[Noah Wyle]

There's an urban myth that our costume designer cut herself and I sewed her up. And it's possible it was the 90s. You know, we all worked hard and played hard and, you know, sewed each other up. Sure.

[Stephen Colbert]

What's a few sutures among friends?

[Noah Wyle]

Exactly. I think it did happen.

[Stephen Colbert]

Okay, but you.

[Noah Wyle]

I'm not sure. I was sober when I did it.

[Stephen Colbert]

That's what I'm asking. Okay, that's good. We have to take a quick break. We'll be right back with more Noah Wiley. Everybody, stick around.

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[Stephen Colbert]

Hey everybody, we're back. The star of the Pitch, Noah Wylie. So one of the fun things is that you guys started the same year as Friends. Yes. Okay. And you actually were in studios right next to each other on the lot there. And there was a crossover episode right there back in the day. You and Clooney guest stars and episode Friends.

[Noah Wyle]

It's me and Edward R. Murray.

[Stephen Colbert]

There you are. What do you remember at 22:23 when a broadcast being part of something that.

[Noah Wyle]

Big, it felt very low key at the time, you know.

[Stephen Colbert]

Did it really? Yes, yes.

[Noah Wyle]

You don't know that you're involved in anything important when you're involved in it. You're just hanging out with people that you know doing what you love. And we were all very collegiate. We all knew each other before those shows were cast. We were all hanging out and on the same lot on the same night on the same network.

[Stephen Colbert]

Did you audition for Friends?

[Noah Wyle]

No.

[Stephen Colbert]

Did any of the Friends. Did any of the Friends audition for er?

[Noah Wyle]

That's a great question.

[Stephen Colbert]

Thanks.

[Noah Wyle]

I don't know. I don't think so. I think those would have been.

[Stephen Colbert]

Because there had to be a lot of things you auditioned for you didn't get right.

[Noah Wyle]

Oh, tons. Tons.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah.

[Noah Wyle]

Just about everything.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah.

[Noah Wyle]

Except for the ones that you know me from.

[Stephen Colbert]

Exactly. Same here. That's why there's no tape of me when I was younger.

[Noah Wyle]

Oh my goodness.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah. Because nobody wanted to employ me.

[Noah Wyle]

Yeah. But it was a wonderful heady time. We would go over and watch them tape their show. And then it just became somebody's great idea to cross pollinate our two shows. And it was fun, really fun.

[Stephen Colbert]

Is it true this is. This is another urban legend. Is it true that Henry Winkler wrote a letter of recommendation for your college application?

[Noah Wyle]

Yes.

[Stephen Colbert]

You got the Fonz.

[Noah Wyle]

Yes.

[Stephen Colbert]

To say age. A very short letter that way, I suppose. But like how? What? Did you know him?

[Noah Wyle]

I. I did. I do. He did. I've never seen the contents of the letter. I did not get into that college.

[Stephen Colbert]

So it's Henry's fault.

[Noah Wyle]

Possibly it's Henry's fault, but I love that man dearly. And I did grow up very good friends with his stepson Jed, who's still a dear friend. And I got to watch Happy Days in the Fonz's house, which was an atypical upbringing. And I'm watching him have this second act in his career off Barry, and I'm so happy for him.

[Stephen Colbert]

Was your family in the business like your mom?

[Noah Wyle]

My mom is a nurse. My mom was a nurse for 20 years. Yeah. Nurses.

[Stephen Colbert]

Is she still with us?

[Noah Wyle]

Is she still with us?

[Stephen Colbert]

Not a nurse in your doctor career?

[Noah Wyle]

Well, it's funny you should ask that right now, because she did come. She loves it. And she came over on Sunday night, and she told me this last particular episode that aired was triggering in a way she didn't anticipate. And she actually remembered a lot of people that passed on her table as she was watching it. And it was the first time she and I have ever had that conversation. And I recognized, wow. I work among doctors and nurses all day long, and I am very conscious of the toll that it takes on those practitioners. I did not even realize how close it was at my own house until Sunday.

[Stephen Colbert]

That's fascinating that you guys could have that connection.

[Noah Wyle]

Yeah, it was beautiful. It was really beautiful. And, you know, just to further the point, she came home every day after those experiences and made dinner for us and helped us with our homework and didn't let us know that those were happening until 35 years later when she remembered it. And that's what the show is about. It's about 35 years worth of suppressed memories that really do need to get aired and talked about. Because it's important.

[Stephen Colbert]

No. So lovely to have you on. Nice to see you.

[Noah Wyle]

Thank you.

[Stephen Colbert]

New episodes of the Pit air Thursdays on Max. Noel Wiley, 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.