Transcript

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Stephen Colbert (1:49)

Thank you very much everybody. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome one and all. Welcome to the Late show. I'm your host Stephen Colbert. I want to start off tonight. First of all, happy six zero to Mayo to all who celebrate. We all may have something to celebrate soon because according to White house officials, the U.S. and Iran are closing in on an end to the war. Well, all right. There you have it. At last, an end of the conflict and commemorated. I will now release the ceremonial Dove of Peace. There it goes. Send us a postcard from Tehran. It's all because reportedly Trump is ready to sign a one page memorandum of understanding that sets a framework for a more detailed nuclear negotiations later. So it's a single sheet of paper which is a letter of intent to eventually outline the idea of what you might agree to some other time. Mr. President, does this mean you have a peace plan?

Summary

The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert

Episode Summary: Sally Field | First Drafts with Evie

Date: May 7, 2026
Host: Stephen Colbert
Guests: Sally Field; Evie Colbert (First Drafts segment)

Overview

This episode is split between two main segments:

A characteristically sharp and satirical monologue by Stephen Colbert, followed by a playful “First Drafts” Mother’s Day segment with his wife Evie Colbert.
A thoughtful, intimate interview with legendary actress Sally Field, who discusses her acting career, her connection to major roles, and her latest film, “Remarkably Bright Creatures.”

Detailed Breakdown

1. Monologue—Politics, Current Events, and Satire

[01:49–14:01]

Iran-U.S. War and “Peace Plan”
- Stephen jokes about the U.S. and Iran closing in on ending the war, referencing reports of a vague memorandum and mocking its lack of substance.
  - “So it's a single sheet of paper which is a letter of intent to eventually outline the idea of what you might agree to some other time. Mr. President, does this mean you have a peace plan?” – Stephen Colbert [03:25]
  - (Comic asides about the ceremonial Dove of Peace and political theater)
- Comedically dissects the “single-sheeter” bullet points, suggesting the agreement resembles pre-war conditions:
  - “I think I might have a case of deja Hormuz. Hey.” – Stephen [04:06]
  - Evie adds: “Just like this war.” – Evie Colbert [04:08]
Operation Epic Fury & Project Freedom
- Stephen lampoons the confusing military/administrative actions and Trump’s inconsistency.
  - “The President’s just living up to the Trump family motto: when the going gets tough, bye, bitch.” [06:57]
Ballroom Funding Irony
- Critiques Senate Republicans seeking $1 billion for Trump’s ballroom after promises of zero taxpayer money.
  - Stephen plays audio of Trump’s repetitive reassurances: “Zero taxpayer dollars.” [07:12]
  - “How ironic—to lie that blatantly takes a lot of balls, and he still hasn’t built the room to store them.” [07:49]
Reflecting Pool Joke and Forrest Gump Callback
- Jokes about Trump resurfacing the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool, riffing on the word “reflecting” and riffing on Forrest Gump:
  - “Some call it the freedom puddle; others, the Jenny splash zone. It's a great place. It's the perfect place.” [08:57]
  - “A great place for the learning disabled to fall in love with someone who later tragically contracts AIDS from a box of chocolates...” [09:13]
FDA/Tanning/Vaping Satire
- Satirizes Bobby Kennedy Jr.’s FDA policies on tanning and the new allowance for fruit-flavored vapes, mocking public health hypocrisy.
  - “But you know the old adage: hurt people, hurt people, and tan people, tan people.” [10:23]
  - “Candy-flavored vapes are clearly targeted at adults. That's why I'm proud to announce the official vape of the Late Show: Paw Patrol Razzleberry Vape Pack for grownups.” [12:20]
Vaccines and Misinformation
- Riffs on FDA blocking positive vaccine results, jesting about “fun flavors” for vaccines.
  - “If you let us have our vaccines, we promise to vape them… Fun flavors like cotton candy Covid mango, MMR and HPVina colada.” [13:44]

2. “First Drafts” Mother’s Day Cards with Evie Colbert

[15:40–24:21]

Segment Introduction

Stephen introduces Mother’s Day and welcomes Evie on stage for a heartfelt (and comic) farewell edition of their “First Drafts” segment, exchanging banter about family traditions.
- “This is very special. This is first drafts, but it is the final draft of first drafts.” – Stephen [17:07]
- “Six years of doing this. What a nice discovery.” – Stephen [17:27]

Comic Card Reads & Marriage Banter

The segment consists of Stephen reading sweet “final” draft versions of Mother’s Day cards, then revealing their jokey, “first draft” counterparts, with Evie handing him cards and poking fun at his habits.
- Flex Seal Card
  - Sweet: “There’s no bond like the one between mother and child. I’ll always be close to you, Mom. Happy Mother’s Day.”
  - First draft: “There’s no bond like the one between mother and child, except for Flex Seal. That guy made a whole boat out of it.”
    - [17:47–18:16]
  - Evie (earnestly): “What is Flex Seal?”
- Strawberry Card
  - Sweet: “To the best mom ever, I love you berry much.”
  - First draft: “To the best mom ever, I dropped acid. Is the strawberry still watching me? Don’t do it, kids.”
    - [20:03–20:13]
  - Evie: “Or don’t tell your mother if you do it.”
- Father’s Day Gag
  - Evie recalls her dad saying, “She’s not my mother,” about not needing to buy her mom a Mother’s Day present. [20:35–20:46]
- Don Rickles Anecdote
  - Stephen shares a Don Rickles story about “signaling ships” with jewelry—turning the show into a marriage confessional. [21:03–22:09]
- Crack Card
  - Sweet: “The greatest feeling in the world is a hug from your mom. Happy Mother’s Day.”
  - First draft: “The greatest feeling in the world is the first time you try crack. Just being honest. Don’t do it, kids. Crack is whack.” [22:40–23:02]
- Job Description Card (Segment Finale)
  - Sweet: “Mom, chauffeur, tutor, nurse, therapist, cheerleader, short order cook, administrator, accountant. Being a mom is a big Job. Thank you for all you do.”
  - First draft: “Mom, chauffeur, tutor… Just tell me which one is my dad.” [23:40–24:18]

Farewell Sentiments

Evie thanks Stephen and his staff:
- “I just want to say thank you. It’s been fun. Thank you for letting me be part of this.” – Evie [23:21–23:29]
- “You have the most incredibly wonderful staff. They’re so nice to me. I love them.” – Evie [23:33]

3. Main Interview: Sally Field

[25:17–36:06]

Introduction & Reflection on Acting

Stephen introduces Sally as a legendary actor, referencing Forrest Gump, Steel Magnolias, and her new film Remarkably Bright Creatures.
Opens with Sally's SAG Life Achievement Award speech:
- “Acting to me is about finding those precious moments when I feel totally, utterly, sometimes dangerously alive.” – Sally Field (quoted by Stephen) [27:11]

Early Days, Childhood & Discovery of Acting

Sally shares how the restrictive 1950s shaped her defiance and creativity:
- “Little girls in the 50s weren’t allowed to feel anything or do anything... Except I wasn’t like that inside at all.” – Sally [27:44]
Describes her first time onstage in seventh grade as a transformative experience:
- “For the first time, I could finally hear my own voice… I could be mean, angry, I could do really awful things to people.” – Sally [28:12]

On Taking “Leaps” & Choosing Roles

Discusses reading screenplays that made her “hands shake”—notably Sybil:
- “I didn’t have it yet, and damn, I was gonna get it.” – Sally [29:20–29:27]

Robin Williams, Mrs. Doubtfire & On-set Memories

Sally reveals why she never broke during Robin Williams’ antics:
- “I would never laugh ever. And everybody else was laughing and carrying on. It wasn’t funny… And then Pierce Brosnan… made a fart noise on his arm and I was gone.” – Sally [29:57–30:44]

Winning the Oscar & Social Activism

Stephen brings up Norma Rae and Sally’s enduring activism:
- “Did that movie awaken in you some sort of activism that you’re still engaged in today?” – Stephen
- Sally: “Be heard. Whatever it takes. Get out on the streets. Be heard. It’s the First Amendment, you know.” [31:45–31:53]

Revisiting Her Roots: Gidget

Stephen admits he’s never seen Gidget, and Sally jokes about the “crime-fighting” teen surfer:
- “She was kind of a tomboy… She learned to surf with the boys because they let her in.” – Sally [32:46–32:59]

“Remarkably Bright Creatures”: Working with an Octopus

Sally credits her new cephalopod co-star:
- “Honestly, I think Marcellus was one of the best leading men I have ever worked with.” – Sally [33:39–33:48]
- Shares that the story is about love, healing, and connection between humans and creatures:
  - “Something we need right now about healing and love and family and our profound connection to creatures.” – Sally [33:59]

Profound Bond with Her Dog, Dashiell Hammett

Sally explains how her COVID lockdown with puppy Dash forged a deep bond:
- “That’s bonding time. So it was just he and I for months and months. My grandkids would drive by and wave hi, Grammy… I’d never had a real connection with a creature.” – Sally [35:23–35:41]
- “His name is Dashiell Hammett. He’s a crime fighter.” – Sally [35:43]

Closing Friendship and Mutual Appreciation

Stephen and Sally express mutual warmth and future intent to stay in touch:
- “Wherever you go, I will follow.” – Sally [36:04]
- “I’ll follow you, too." – Stephen [36:06]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Satire of Political Process:
- “I have concepts of a plan.” – Colbert, channeling Trump [03:25]
- “To lie that blatantly takes a lot of balls, and he still hasn’t built the room to store them.” – Colbert [07:49]
On Acting:
- “Acting to me is about finding those precious moments when I feel totally, utterly, sometimes dangerously alive.” – Sally Field [27:11]
On Breaking Character:
- “I would never laugh, ever (at Robin Williams)... and then Pierce Brosnan made a fart noise on his arm and I was gone.” – Sally Field [30:12–30:44]
On Her New Film:
- “Honestly, I think Marcellus was one of the best leading men I have ever worked with.” – Sally Field (on starring opposite an octopus) [33:39]

Important Timestamps

01:49 – Colbert’s monologue starts
15:40 – “First Drafts” Mother’s Day segment with Evie Colbert begins
17:07 – Announcement: final “First Drafts” segment
23:21 – Evie’s farewell to the segment and thanks to staff
25:17 – Sally Field interview begins
27:11 – Reflection on acting feeling “dangerously alive”
29:20 – “Sybil” made hands shake – Sally on her career choices
30:44 – Sally’s only on-set break: Pierce Brosnan’s “fart noise”
31:45 – Sally on activism and Norma Rae
33:39 – On her octopus co-star
35:23 – Sally describes lockdown and bonding with dog Dash
36:04 – Mutual expressions of friendship between Stephen and Sally

Tone & Style

Colbert: Satirical, sharp, self-deprecating, with a warmth for guests and family
Evie Colbert: Witty, playful, affectionate, gently teasing
Sally Field: Honest, earnest, reflective, quietly funny

For New Listeners

This episode is a showcase of Colbert’s blend of political satire and heartfelt conversation. The “First Drafts” segment offers a loving peek into his home life, while the Sally Field interview displays candid reflections on acting, social change, and the joys of connection, both human and animal.

End of Summary.