Robert De Niro | Fired up

Summary

The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert Episode: Robert De Niro | Fired up Release Date: February 20, 2025

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Political Satire and Current Events

The episode kicks off with Stephen Colbert diving into the latest chaotic developments affecting American institutions. At [02:19], Colbert humorously laments, “KFC is moving its corporate headquarters from Kentucky to Texas. That. That is finger licking,” highlighting the absurdity of the move and its cultural implications.

Colbert transitions seamlessly into a satirical critique of recent government actions orchestrated by Elon Musk and his enigmatic entity, Doge. He mocks the hasty and inconsistent firing of federal employees, particularly those overseeing critical sectors like nuclear weapons and food safety. At [04:16], Colbert quips, “Then on Monday, another email said the initial notices were a mistake. Then on Tuesday, they got a third email confirming their firings. That's an emotional roller coaster ride, honey. I'm leaving you,” underscoring the chaotic nature of the layoffs.

The host continues to expose the inefficiencies within the government’s response to these abrupt terminations. He points out the alarming consequence of essential personnel being abruptly dismissed, stating, “[...] the government is now scrambling to rehire the nuclear staff it fired on Friday,” at [04:48]. Colbert also addresses the broader implications of these actions on national security and public safety, emphasizing the destabilizing effect of such erratic decisions.

A significant portion of the satire targets the fictional Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, whom Colbert references with biting humor: “It’s not exactly clear what Doge is,” at [08:27], poking fun at the nebulous nature of this new governmental body. He parodies Trump’s declaration by stating, “We will create the new Department of Government Efficiency, headed by a gentleman named Elon Musk,” at [08:56], further highlighting the absurdity of the situation.

The segment culminates with a humorous take on international politics, particularly the strained peace talks involving Ukraine and Russia. Colbert mocks the ineffectiveness of these negotiations, quoting Trump’s vague stance on Russia’s concessions: “Maybe Russia will give up a lot, maybe they won't. And it's all dependent on what is going to happen,” at [11:03]. This line encapsulates the frustration and bewilderment surrounding current geopolitical tensions.

Interview with Robert De Niro

At [15:17], Stephen Colbert warmly welcomes Robert De Niro back to "The Late Show," setting the stage for an engaging and insightful conversation. The host reminisces about seeing De Niro at the SNL 50th anniversary, mentioning, “Robert De Niro was there. Yeah. And you did a great job in Debbie Downer,” at [15:29], celebrating De Niro’s memorable appearance.

SNL 50th Anniversary and Musical Reflections

The discussion shifts to De Niro’s experience at the SNL event, where Paul McCartney performed. Colbert asks about De Niro’s connection to The Beatles, to which De Niro responds thoughtfully at [16:30], “Not really. But what I started thinking about when I was listening to Paul, that they're all part of my unconscious conscious. They've been in my life for most of my life.” This reflection reveals the deep-seated influence of music on De Niro’s life and career.

Acting Techniques and Inspirations

Colbert delves into De Niro’s acting methodology, inquiring about his use of music to get into character. De Niro shares at [19:16], “I can sometimes. I've used music, certain type of music to get me to feel a certain way.” He recounts a poignant moment where a sad commercial's music helped him perform an emotional scene: “I saw a commercial, a kind of. A commercial had not sappy music, but very sad kind of music, and it actually worked, got me to cry every time I watched it,” at [19:34]. This anecdote underscores the powerful interplay between auditory stimuli and emotional performance.

New Netflix Series: Zero Day

A significant portion of the interview focuses on De Niro’s latest project, a Netflix series titled "Zero Day." At [22:35], Colbert introduces the topic: “It's a new Netflix series called Zero Day. And I'm just curious. I mean, you're a movie star. How does this compare to making movies?” De Niro explains the intense workload involved, likening it to “doing three features back to back” ([22:48]). He highlights the series' premise—a political thriller centered around a nationwide cyber attack—and his portrayal of a former president tasked with leading a commission to address the crisis.

De Niro elaborates on the character’s complexities and the series' thematic depth: “It's about the country. And I should know this, but it might have been the world, but the country stopped for a minute and everything went crazy,” at [23:33]. He expresses enthusiasm for the project, emphasizing its smart writing and the compelling narrative that explores national turmoil and leadership.

Heroes and Influences

Colbert prompts De Niro to reflect on his heroes, both personal and professional. De Niro mentions iconic figures like Brando, stating, “I knew him a little bit and did a movie with him. So we all looked as young actors, we all looked up to him,” at [17:36]. He also honors modern heroes, including Mandela and the Capitol Police officers affected by recent events, highlighting their bravery and resilience.

Closing Remarks and Series Promotion

As the interview wraps up, Colbert and De Niro discuss the impact of De Niro’s work and his contributions to the film and television industry. Colbert hints at future episodes and encourages listeners to stay tuned for more in-depth discussions with esteemed guests.

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Key Quotes

• Stephen Colbert [02:19]: “KFC is moving its corporate headquarters from Kentucky to Texas. That. That is finger licking.”

• Stephen Colbert [04:32]: “These are folks involved with designing, building, and overseeing US Nuclear weapons stockpile after concerns grew that their dismissal could jeopardize national security. I share those concerns.”

• Stephen Colbert [08:27]: “All these cuts are the work of Doge, but it's not exactly clear what Doge is.”

• Robert De Niro [17:36]: “Mandela was a hero to me. I do think of the Capitol Police, the guys at Capitol Police, the Metropolitan Police, and Michael Fanone, Aquino, Grinnell, Harry Dunn, Daniel Hodges and everybody else who was involved and affected and hurt by that. They're heroes.”

• Robert De Niro [19:34]: “I saw a commercial, a kind of. A commercial had not sappy music, but very sad kind of music, and it actually worked, got me to cry every time I watched it.”

• Robert De Niro [23:33]: “It's about the country. And I should know this, but it might have been the world, but the country stopped for a minute and everything went crazy.”

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Conclusion

This episode of "The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert" masterfully blends sharp political satire with an intimate and engaging interview with one of Hollywood’s most revered actors, Robert De Niro. Colbert’s incisive humor provides a timely commentary on current events, while De Niro’s insights offer a glimpse into the craft of acting and the complexities of modern storytelling through his new Netflix series. For listeners seeking a blend of wit, wisdom, and celebrity charm, this episode stands out as a compelling and thought-provoking installment.

Transcript

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[Stephen Colbert]

Welcome welcome down here, up there, out there, everybody to the Late Show. I'm your host, Stephen Colbert and I gotta tell you, isn't that lovely Isn't that lovely? I just love being with you guys every day because it feel. Every day we get news of yet another inexplicable chaotic move seemingly bent on undermining everything we as Americans hold dear. And today is no different because KFC is moving its corporate headquarters from Kentucky to Texas. That. That is finger licking.

[Audience Member]

What is going on?

[Stephen Colbert]

What is happening? What's next, Jersey Mike's becomes Mains Mickey's? Will Papa John step down as pizza pope? Burger King abdicates his throne to marry a common nugget?

[Co-host]

Because Kentucky Fried Chicken isn't just a.

[Stephen Colbert]

Name, ladies and gentlemen. It's part of Kentucky history. It was founded nearly a century ago in 1930 in Corbin, Kentucky. Even now, if you purchase KFC somewhere that is not Kentucky legally, they have to call it Sparkling White Chicken. What else? Oh, up in Washington. Speaking of chicken up in Washington, our government is getting spatchcocked by Elon Musk and his post pubescent pink slip troopers. Now, naturally, the federal workers in their.

[Co-host]

Path of wanton destruction are experiencing anger.

[Stephen Colbert]

Chaos and confusion, which coincidentally, are also the Secret Service code names for Trump, Elon and Don Jr. One example of these workers heads spinning. Friday before last, right? Friday before last, at the Small Business Administration, employees received emails notifying them of their terminations.

[Co-host]

Then on Monday, another email said the.

[Stephen Colbert]

Initial notices were a mistake. Then on Tuesday, they got a third email confirming their firings. That's an emotional roller coaster ride, honey. I'm leaving you.

[Co-host]

Darling.

[Audience Member]

I would never leave without my umbrella.

[Stephen Colbert]

Elon and the Doge Bags have fired so many people. They have fired so many people so quickly in so many critical areas with so little thought beforehand that the government is now scrambling to rehire the nuclear staff it fired on Friday. These are folks involved with designing, building, and overseeing US Nuclear weapons stockpile after concerns grew that their dismissal could jeopardize national security. I share those concerns. But here's the wrinkle in the rub. The government has struggled to reach the people that were fired after they were locked out of their federal email accounts. So now we got a bunch of pissed off people with a lot of time on their hands who know how to build nuclear weapons. Well, at least you couldn't find them. And it doesn't stop with the nukes. Yesterday, the Department of Agriculture said that they accidentally fired officials working on bird flu and are now trying to rehire them. Whoops. A pandemic. Thankfully, we all know that Donald Trump has a steady hand in a public health crisis.

[Audience Member]

I tell you what, folks have we tried deep frying the birds in bleach. Baby. Hear me out. Just crispy. We get the birds. We put them in. We put them in. We put them in the. Maybe with a. Maybe with a side of honey mustard. Ivermectin.

[Stephen Colbert]

Rehiring people on Tuesday that you fired on Friday does not scream government efficiency. And even Republicans are starting to notice, like Nebraska Representative Don Bacon, who said they need to be more cautious. There's an old saying, measure twice, cut once. While they are measuring once and having to cut twice. Yes. Let's pray they never put Elon in charge of circumcisions. Oopsie. Who has the gorilla glue. Over the weekend, Doge laid off several thousand people at HHS and at the fda, they laid off hundreds of employees who work on nutrition, food safety, response, and infant formula.

[Co-host]

That is worrying. How will we feed the newborns if.

[Stephen Colbert]

We don't have any formula for that.

[Co-host]

Is how we grow our babies so.

[Audience Member]

Large we give them the formula.

[Stephen Colbert]

Doge also ordered the USDA's National Animal Health Laboratory Network to fire 25% of their 14 employees. That is super disturbing because 25% of 14 is 3.5. Did you hear they fired Doug, Raj, Anita and half of Gary. Turns out firing a bunch of people big willy nilly style is also pissing off the people that they want to keep working. Earlier this week, to protest the layoff of 80 workers, the FDA's food safety chief resigned. Great. We lost the guy in charge of food. That's one of my favorite things to put in my mouth. The FDA official in question is Jim Jones. Not the cool. And his title is, and we're not making this up, Deputy Commissioner of Human Foods, not to be confused with the Commissioner of Humans who are food, who is, of course, the late, great Hannibal Lecter. There you go.

[Robert De Niro]

There you go.

[Stephen Colbert]

All these cuts are the work of Doge, but it's not exactly clear what Doge is. We know it's not an official government department because that would have to be established by an act of Congress. And we know the guy in charge of it has not been elected to.

[Co-host]

Any office or confirmed to any cabinet position.

[Stephen Colbert]

Up to this point, all we knew for certain about Doge is who that guy in charge is, which Trump made clear right before his inauguration.

[Donald Trump]

We will create the new Department of Government Efficiency, headed by a gentleman named Elon Musk.

[Audience Member]

But I couldn't find a gentleman named Elon Musk. So instead I hired the sociopathic tech doofus. Well, it turns out there he is.

[Stephen Colbert]

There you Are.

[Audience Member]

How are you? Do you like the human food?

[Stephen Colbert]

Well, it turns out being an unelected donor running an unauthorized employee kill squad might get you sued at some point in the future. So, in new legal filings, the White House claims that Elon Musk at Doge. What? It's literally named after his favorite meme. This is the most confusing leadership structure since Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. Who is Chris? Why does he seem to belong to Ruth? Wait, wait, wait. Does that mean we're eating Chris? Is he the steak? Is he the human food? Trump is also Chris. He will be missed. Trump is also crippling other countries out there, starting with Ukraine. This week, he sent Marco Rubio to Saudi Arabia for Russia Ukraine peace talks, but Ukraine wasn't invited. That makes it kind of hard to find peace, honey. Oh, my gosh. That was the most amazing couples therapy today. You should have been there. Dr. Brad and I agree, everything is your fault. Oh, and I forgot. I'm leaving you. There you go. Forgot the umbrella. It's clear that Trump is pro Russia. His administration is saying Ukraine will have to make major concessions. And when he was asked about what Putin will have to do in return, he got a little vague.

[Donald Trump]

Maybe Russia will give up a lot, maybe they won't. And it's all dependent on what is going to happen.

[Audience Member]

Firm, clear, confident.

[Stephen Colbert]

Reminds me of that Gloria Gaynor song. Maybe I will survive, maybe I won't. It's all dependent on what is going to happen. Trump has.

[Co-host]

He's been criticized for leaving Ukraine out of the peace talks.

[Stephen Colbert]

So yesterday he said this.

[Donald Trump]

Today I heard. Oh, well, we weren't invited. Well, you've been there for three years. You should have ended it. Three years. You should have never started it.

[Audience Member]

Yes, I blame Ukraine for starting the war that Russia started. No, no, no, it makes sense, folks. Just like I blame those wicked hobbits for stealing that ring from Sauron. Plus, just look at that DEI fellowship. That dwarf was clearly unqualified. Sauron. Very good friend of mine, big guy came up to me once, big strong guy, tears in his flaming eye, and he said, ashna's thratitulok. Ash burzum ish. I krimpatul. Where at least I know I'm free then.

[Robert De Niro]

All right.

[Audience Member]

Did I lose it?

[Co-host]

Is that.

[Audience Member]

That's my Sara. Is that good?

[Stephen Colbert]

Then today. Today, Trump posted a screed right out of the Big Book of Russian Trolls.

[Audience Member]

Saying, think of it. A modestly successful comedian, Volodymyr Zelensky, talked the United States of America into spending $350 billion to go into a war that couldn't be won.

[Stephen Colbert]

Bold words. Modestly successful reality show host then. Then Trump called Zelenskyy a dictator who.

[Audience Member]

Refuses to have elections and is very.

[Stephen Colbert]

Low in Ukrainian polls, unlike Trump's democratically.

[Co-host]

Elected buddy Putin, who is very popular in Russia.

[Stephen Colbert]

Latest polls show 90% approve and 10%. Ah, I'm falling out of a window. We got a great show for you tonight.

[Language Learning Expert]

Coming up.

[Rosetta Stone Representative]

Robert De Niro.

[Language Learning Expert]

Start fresh in the new Year as you set resolutions for 2024, consider how learning a new language can enrich your life, whether through travel, career advancement or cultural appreciation. Keeping in mind everything you've learned over the last year, it's time to build on that. And learning a new language can help you connect with others and explore new cultures.

[Rosetta Stone Representative]

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[Language Learning Expert]

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[Co-host]

I participate in Restaurants for a limited time.

[Stephen Colbert]

Ladies and gentlemen, you know my first guest because he's Robert De Niro.

[Audience Member]

Please welcome back to the Late Show, Robert De Niro.

[Robert De Niro]

There you go.

[Co-host]

Nice to see you again. It's always good to have you on the show. Thank you. I actually got a little treat. I got to see you. We were Both at the SNL 50th thing on Sunday. That was a kind of fun night.

[Robert De Niro]

Yeah, it was great.

[Co-host]

Amazing audience. Can you believe the people who were there? Robert De Niro was there.

[Robert De Niro]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

And you did a great job in Debbie Downer.

[Robert De Niro]

Yeah.

[Co-host]

Sketch.

[Stephen Colbert]

Debbie Downer.

[Co-host]

Paul McCartney closed out the SNL. That was amazing.

[Robert De Niro]

Yeah.

[Co-host]

You know, the long medley, Golden Slumbers, Carry that Weight, the End. But you got a preview, I understand, of some McCartney because he did some, like, secret pop up shows.

[Robert De Niro]

Yes.

[Co-host]

Around New York last week.

[Robert De Niro]

Yes.

[Co-host]

And one of them was at Barry Ballroom. You were there. Is that like a big thing for you? Were you a big Beatles fan when you were younger?

[Robert De Niro]

Not really. But what I started thinking about when I was listening to Paul, that they're all part of my unconscious conscious. They've been in my life for most of my life. And that was. And I forgot about that, that these songs are there and have a strong meaning in my life.

[Co-host]

Do you know McCartney?

[Robert De Niro]

Yes.

[Co-host]

You do know him.

[Robert De Niro]

Yeah.

[Co-host]

You do know him. Okay. Do you get. People ask me if I ever get starstruck by the people I interview. Like, do you get starstruck to interview Robert De Niro? I'm like, no, because I kind of.

[Stephen Colbert]

I know actors.

[Co-host]

I know what actors are like. Musicians mystify me and I get really starstruck by them. Do you get starstruck by anybody? Is Bobby De Niro intimidated by anybody?

[Robert De Niro]

No. Some people.

[Co-host]

You must have heroes, though. People that you look to that you go like, ah, that person is so meaningful and important to me.

[Robert De Niro]

Sure. Well, like Brando. I knew him a little bit and did a movie with him. So we all looked as young actors, we all looked up to him. And so he was a very smart, interesting guy. Liked to talk a lot. Interesting things.

[Co-host]

Do you have any other heroes? What do you. When you think hero, who do you think of?

[Robert De Niro]

I don't know.

[Co-host]

Do you have an American hero?

[Robert De Niro]

Mandela was a hero to me. I do think of. I think of the Capitol Police, the guys at Capitol Police, the Metropolitan Police, and Michael Fanone, Aquino, Grinnell, Harry Dunn, Daniel Hodges and everybody else who was involved and affected and hurt by that. They're heroes.

[Co-host]

Can you imagine being Capitol Police now. And watching those people march in past you who want to deny that you served them that day.

[Robert De Niro]

Yep. Something.

[Co-host]

Your buddy Martin Scorsese uses music a lot when he's directing, he's thinking about the music, say to somebody, hey, write this song down, or something like that. Because he knows that when he edits it, he might want that song to be associated with that scene. Do you do anything like that to get into character? Do you use music to get into character ever?

[Robert De Niro]

No. I mean, I can sometimes. I've used music, certain type of music to get me to feel a certain way.

[Co-host]

Do you do anything else? Like, do you do an animal spine or.

[Robert De Niro]

No.

[Co-host]

Or like she skis easily beneath the ceiling of stars. Do you do any of that vocal stuff that's interesting?

[Robert De Niro]

Maybe I'll try that.

[Co-host]

That is just say some of my acting is from Stephen Colbert. That's all I ask. Yeah.

[Robert De Niro]

No, I did something where I had to cry. And so I used. I saw a commercial, a kind of. A commercial had not sappy music, but very sad kind of music, and it actually worked, got me to cry every time I watched it. So it. And I do the scene just. It was a commercial.

[Stephen Colbert]

Please tell me you remember what the commercial was.

[Robert De Niro]

No, I don't. You don't? It was too long yesterday.

[Stephen Colbert]

You wake up and time has slipped.

[Robert De Niro]

All right, you're going to make me cry.

[Co-host]

That's what I'm trying to do. It's time to do 2025 marks the 40th anniversary of one of my favorite films, Brazil, that you're in. You play right here. You play the renegade heating engineer Harry Tuttle. Okay. I love this film so much. I saw this film in college with my girlfriend and her father, who was visiting, and they didn't like it. And I thought, this isn't gonna last.

[Robert De Niro]

Yeah.

[Co-host]

I understand that it almost didn't get released and that you had something to do with making it. That happened.

[Robert De Niro]

Yeah, I was told by. That. By Neil. But I, I.

[Co-host]

My producer.

[Robert De Niro]

Yeah, I, I didn't. I don't remember that. I mean, they were just.

[Co-host]

So. Maybe I should have Neil out here to tell the story, you know, I don't.

[Robert De Niro]

I don't know. He said. Yeah, he said that I was on some talk show with Terry Gilliam, who was great. Sure, I liked Terry very much, and. But I didn't know that they had such problems with getting it up and running and so on, which happens, you know?

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah.

[Co-host]

Yeah. He told the story better.

[Robert De Niro]

He did.

[Co-host]

I'm sure he did, because I. I Understand? Jonathan Pryce says that he wouldn't have gotten the job. Who plays the main character? Who? I forgot what his name is. Is he Buttle? You're Buttle. He's been tuned.

[Robert De Niro]

I'm Tuttle. And he.

[Co-host]

He's Buttle.

[Robert De Niro]

Oh, okay.

[Co-host]

Is he Buttle?

[Robert De Niro]

I forgot.

[Co-host]

I can't remember. But anyway, he didn't get that. You got him that job because they didn't want to hire him because people didn't know who Jonathan Price was.

[Robert De Niro]

I didn't know that either.

[Co-host]

We'll move on.

[Stephen Colbert]

No pressure.

[Robert De Niro]

No, but I'm glad.

[Audience Member]

Robert De Niro.

[Robert De Niro]

I'm glad. I'm glad you're glad.

[Co-host]

You've helped a lot of people over the years. Yeah, yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

You're not helping me right now, but.

[Co-host]

You'Ve helped a lot of. We have to take a quick break, but we'll be right back with more Robert De Niro. Everybody stick around.

[Audience Member]

We're back.

[Stephen Colbert]

With Robert De Niro.

[Co-host]

Here's what's got me excited. You want to know what's got me excited?

[Robert De Niro]

What?

[Co-host]

You've got a new TV show.

[Stephen Colbert]

You're in a television series for the first time.

[Co-host]

Robert De Niro.

[Robert De Niro]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Welcome.

[Co-host]

Come on in. The water's fine. It's a new Netflix series called Zero Day. And I'm just curious. I mean, you're a movie star. How does this compare to making movies? It's, you know, there's a camera. You're acting.

[Robert De Niro]

What I say is that it's like doing three features back to back. So it's a lot of work, but it was well written, and I wanted to do something in New York for five or six months. I talked to my agent. He said, well, I'll introduce you to. To Eric. It means a limited series. Series would be something possibly to do. It's okay, let me talk to him. And he came up with the idea of the story, and he sent me a treatment, what you call a treatment. It's like an overview of the whole thing. Then he sent me some of the installments or some of the episodes, and it was very, very good. Well written, smart. And I said, it's a thriller. It's a thriller. Political thriller. Yeah.

[Co-host]

And what's it about?

[Robert De Niro]

It's about the country. And I should know this, but it might have been the world, but the country stopped for a minute and everything went crazy. Planes crashed, trains crashed.

[Co-host]

Everything was this like an attack of.

[Robert De Niro]

Some kind, an attack, a cyber attack. Just everything stopped for a minute and then it came back on. And nobody knows where it came from what to do. Da, da, da. And then there was a threat. There's a threat later. It'll happen again. And so the president, played by Angela Bassett, wants me to head this commission. Though I haven't been president for 12 years. I was a one term president, though I could have been a two term. But I have a personal reason why I don't want to give it away. So.

[Stephen Colbert]

She brings me in.

[Co-host]

Yeah, you had a thing.

[Robert De Niro]

Well, whatever you see.

[Co-host]

Should I ask Neil? Should I ask Neil the reason?

[Robert De Niro]

Ask Neil. He'll tell you all about it.

[Co-host]

I'll tell the reason. So we have a clip here. Anything we need to know?

[Robert De Niro]

No.

[Co-host]

Okay.

[Stephen Colbert]

I disagree.

[Co-host]

This is your character, former president George Mullen, watching a political commentator on television.

[Robert De Niro]

Good.

[J]

Jim, George Mullen is not only a wannabe tyrant, he's inept. He's an idiot. Tonight, because of George Mullen, none of us can sleep easy. We all have to fear the late night knock on the door, the battering ram.

[Robert De Niro]

Not everybody, Evan. Maybe you do. Maybe you've got something to hide.

[J]

I think you've got something to hide, George. You heard me. I know you're flailing. Lost in a fog, blinded by your hate for real Americans, your hate for people like me. My friends, tonight, I'm afraid they're coming for us. Maybe you're next. Maybe it's me. Hell, it may damn well be me.

[Robert De Niro]

Yeah. Keep at it. We'll see.

[J]

I dare you. Georgie. Come and get me.

[Stephen Colbert]

Zero Day is available now on Netflix.

[Co-host]

Netflix.

[Stephen Colbert]

Robert De Niro, everybody.

[Co-host]

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.