The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert

Episode: Paul Giamatti | Bird Watching
Date: January 15, 2026
Guest: Paul Giamatti

Episode Overview

This episode of The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert centers around a wide-ranging and entertaining conversation with acclaimed actor Paul Giamatti. The primary focus is Giamatti’s new role in the highly anticipated series Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, his longstanding love of the Star Trek franchise, behind-the-scenes anecdotes about acting under prosthetics and performing as a "half-Klingon, half-Tellarite" villain, and insights into his personal life—including his perfect day, current reading habits, and the story of rescuing his beloved cat. Throughout, Colbert’s signature wit and rapport shine, creating a lively, warmth-filled episode for both Trekkies and those simply eager for good conversation.

Main Segments & Key Discussion Points

1. Opening Monologue – Political Satire & The News

(Timestamp: 01:47 – 18:45)

• Satirical breakdown of recent political events, including changes to dietary guidelines, milk in schools, and President Trump’s public outbursts.
  • Colbert ridicules the confusing messaging around milk policy:
    • “At today’s signing, Trump made it clear that when it comes to milk, just like his skull, he’s 100% full fat.” (03:19)
  • Skewers Trump’s actions in Detroit, including a new “national bird” (the middle finger) and the ongoing saga of the Epstein files:
    • “That is the most crudely hostile response from the leader of our country since Herbert Hoover’s campaign slogan, ‘I’ll poop in every pot.’” (07:05)
• Auction for charity announcement:
  • Colbert describes auctioning memorabilia from the Ed Sullivan Theater, with proceeds benefitting José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen.
• Riff on government priorities:
  • Mocks the push for deregulating shower head standards:
    • “Grandpa, what did we do when our nation was falling into fascism? We made sure the showers were strong enough to penetrate every fold and cranny of a president who isn’t limber enough to wipe.” (16:40)

2. Guest Segment: Paul Giamatti

(Timestamp: 19:49 – 31:04)

A. Star Trek Fandom & The Starfleet Academy Role

• Bonding over Trekkie optimism:

  • Colbert and Giamatti agree on the uniquely hopeful spirit of Star Trek fans.
  • Colbert: “In a dark and crazy world, Star Trek fans are fantastic…they’re so hopeful.” (20:45)
  • Giamatti: “I just think about Star Trek and it puts me in a good mood. It makes me happy.” (21:05)

• Colbert's cameo & work dynamics:

  • Both share details about their involvement in the new series; Colbert teases his own guest role:
    • “See if you can find me. I just want you to wondering, how am I as a co-worker?” (21:46)
  • Giamatti, joking: “You are…you need a little work. But you’re an up and comer, I think.” (21:52)

• Dream come true—Playing a Klingon (kind of):

  • Giamatti reminisces about wishing to play a Klingon since childhood:
    • “My dearest wish in the world as a child and until this moment was to be a Klingon basically…” (22:39)
  • Reveals his character is “half Klingon, half Tellarite,” delighting in the role’s aggression.
  • On Klingon allure: “I play a lot of kind of ineffectually aggressive people. I thought I want to play an actually aggressive person.” (23:50)

B. The Art and Ordeals of Playing Nusbraka

• Under the prosthetics:

  • Giamatti details the reality of heavy rubber makeup and increasingly elaborate finger-jewelry as the show progresses.
  • “Oh, with the hot rubber on, once that was glued to my head…I was just—you couldn’t hold me back. You couldn’t restrain me.” (24:09)
  • On the design: “They had to glue them [metal finger tips] to my hands because…the first time they put them on, they were firing off my fingers like bullets, just all over the bridge.” (26:10)

• Playing a villain:

  • Revels in the theatrical, Shakespearean dimension to Star Trek villains:
    • “There’s no cap to it… especially if you’re a Klingon. Nobody says tone it down…there was kind of no cap…you know, it’s like a cosmic villain.” (26:40)
  • Favorite villain inspirations: Ricardo Montalban’s Khan and Deep Space Nine’s Gul Dukat.

• Fight scenes at (almost) 60:

  • On doing his own stunts:
    • “They came to me...all it said was, ‘we push each other around.’ Then Alex Kurtzman said, ‘we really want a violent fight.’ And I said, I’m almost 60, you know…and I have bad knees.” (27:29)
    • “I could have used the stuntman. Are you kidding me?” (28:04)

C. Life, Leisure, and Reading Jane Austen

• A perfect day for Giamatti:
  • “I watched Deep Space Nine. I have a nice new home in Connecticut…nice and snowy out...watching Star Trek on the TV with the cat sitting, you know.” (28:47)
• Surprising current reading choice:
  • “For the first time in my life, I’m reading Jane Austen.” (29:21)
  • “I’m reading Emma...I’m like, this is pretty good. This is not bad. I’m like, this is funny. Could use some Klingons.” (29:32)

D. On Cats, Rescue Adventures, and Customs

• On finding his cat:
  • Found while filming in the Canary Islands, took months of paperwork to bring home.
  • “I saw him running around the set, little two month old guy. It was a whole huge process getting him out…my girlfriend had to go through…all this stuff. It took her months with the Spanish government, the US government…” (30:25)
  • On bringing the cat through US customs:
    • “She’s coming through American customs. She’s got this folder like this with all of this stuff. And the guy goes, ‘Is that a cat?’ And she goes, ‘Yes.’ He goes, ‘Yeah. So fine. Don’t, don’t worry about it.’” (31:04)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Colbert on Star Trek fans:
  • “In a dark and crazy world, Star Trek fans are fantastic…they’re so hopeful.” (20:45)
• Giamatti on getting his dream role:
  • “My dearest wish in the world as a child and until this moment was to be a Klingon basically…” (22:39)
• Giamatti’s summary of Emma and Star Trek:
  • "I’m reading Emma...I’m like, this is pretty good. This is not bad. I’m like, this is funny. Could use some Klingons.” (29:32)
• The customs story:
  • “‘Is that a cat?’ And she goes, ‘Yes.’ He goes, ‘Yeah. So fine. Don’t worry about it.’” (31:04)

Key Timestamps

• [01:47–18:45] — Colbert's satirical take on recent news and government priorities, Late Show auction announcement
• [19:49] — Guest Paul Giamatti introduced
• [20:45] — Discussion of Star Trek fandom and premiere
• [22:39] — Giamatti discusses lifelong dream of playing a Klingon
• [23:50] — On relishing the role’s aggression
• [24:09] — Behind the make-up: prosthetics and hot rubber
• [26:40] — The joy of playing an unrestrained villain
• [27:29] — Fight choreography and stunt double regrets
• [28:47] — Giamatti’s ideal day at home
• [29:21] — Discovery of Jane Austen; adding Klingons to literature
• [30:25] — The rescue and adoption of his cat, overcoming international bureaucracy
• [31:04] — Cat through customs: a classic anticlimax

Tone & Style

The episode is rich in playful banter, affectionate teasing, and authentic warmth. Colbert brings his usual mix of quick wit and sharp satire, particularly in the monologue, while Paul Giamatti oscillates between self-deprecating humor and genuine, heartfelt enthusiasm for sci-fi, literature, and animals. Their conversation is loose, joyous, and replete with memorable asides for fans of both Star Trek and great storytelling.

Takeaways

• Paul Giamatti finally achieves his long-held dream of joining the Star Trek universe, playing a complex villainous character in Starfleet Academy.
• The camaraderie and optimism of the Star Trek fandom is celebrated.
• Giamatti’s personal anecdotes—from fight scenes at sixty to the adoption of a stray cat in Spain—are as delightful as his on-screen performances.
• Colbert’s lampooning of current events provides a spirited, comedic counterpoint to the more earnest guest segment.
• The episode balances thoughtful, nerdy fandom discussion with the heart and humor that characterizes both Giamatti and Colbert’s best work.