Podcast Summary: The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert – Episode Featuring Sandra Oh

Episode Title: Sandra Oh | Yes We Canceled
Release Date: July 22, 2025
Host: Stephen Colbert
Guest: Sandra Oh
Produced by: CBS

Introduction and Sponsor Message ([00:00] – [03:19])

The episode opens with Stephen Colbert delivering an enthusiastic and humorous endorsement for Wonderful Pistachios. Although brief, this segment showcases Colbert's trademark wit and playful banter with an unidentified co-speaker, setting a lighthearted tone before delving into more substantial topics.

Monologue: Cancel Culture and Show Cancellation ([03:56] – [14:57])

Colbert transitions into his monologue, addressing the abrupt cancellation of "The Late Show" set to end in May. He humorously grapples with the news, blending satire and self-deprecation:

• Colbert's Announcement:
  "Cancel culture has gone too far... last week we learned that the late show will be ending in May." ([03:56])

• Satirical Remarks on Cancellation:
  "They made one mistake. They left me alive... what just happened?" ([04:32])

He speculates humorously about the reasons behind the cancellation, attributing it to absurd causes such as his decision to sport a mustache:

• Mustache Theory:
  "I showed the courage to have a mustache. I mean, obviously CBS saw my upper lip and boom, canceled. Coincidence? Oh, I think not." ([06:03])

Colbert criticizes the financial justification provided by CBS, questioning how a top-rated show could incur such substantial losses:

• Financial Concerns:
  "According to an anonymous leak, CBS pulled the plug on our show because of losses pegged between 40 million and $50 million a year." ([07:28])

He humorously references other companies with significant financial losses, such as Red Lobster, and mocks the notion of unlimited shrimp offerings as a contributing factor.

Segment: Donald Trump Satire ([14:57] – [26:31])

Colbert shifts to a satirical take on former President Donald Trump, focusing on a controversial letter Trump sent to Jeffrey Epstein in 2003. He dissects the bizarre nature of Trump's letter, highlighting its inappropriate content and the ensuing backlash:

• Description of the Letter:
  "Trump's letter featured a naked woman drawing with typewritten text... his signature mimics pubic hair." ([16:10])

Colbert mocks Trump's denial of authoring the letter, juxtaposing it with absurd claims about Trump's artistic endeavors:

• Trump's Denial and Mockery:
  "I never wrote a picture. I never painted a novel. I never baked a song." ([20:00])

He further satirizes Trump's legal actions, such as suing Rupert Murdoch for defamation, emphasizing the futility of such lawsuits.

The segment concludes with Colbert's humorous commentary on Trump's social interactions and the implications of his associations:

• Trump and Epstein Relationship:
  "They bonded over a common interest in hitting on and competing for attractive young women at parties." ([25:00])

Guest Segment: Interview with Sandra Oh ([16:06] – [26:51])

Introduction to Sandra Oh:
Stephen Colbert warmly welcomes Sandra Oh, an Emmy-award-winning actress known for her roles in "Grey's Anatomy," "Killing Eve," and "Quiz Lady."

• Colbert:
  "My first guest tonight is an Emmy award-winning actor... Please welcome back to the Late Show, Sandra Oh." ([16:06])

Sandra Oh's Opening Remarks:
Sandra expresses her dismay over the show's cancellation, connecting it to broader issues of free speech and cultural shifts.

• Sandra Oh:
  "I am so sorry and saddened and properly outraged for the cancellation of the late night show... what it means for free speech." ([16:26])

• Colbert's Interaction:
  The conversation includes playful exchanges, with Sandra's initial apologies transitioning into light-hearted banter.

Honorary Doctorate and Career Highlights:
Sandra shares her recent achievement of receiving an honorary doctorate from Dartmouth and reflects on her acting career.

• Honoring Her Doctorate:
  "I feel like now I can at least tell the rest of my family of many of them who are doctors." ([18:24])

• Advice to Graduates:
  Sandra discusses her graduation speech, emphasizing kindness and the importance of reflection:

  "I tried to lead them through a moment of silence... and what kindness means." ([19:49])

Shakespeare in the Park Performance:
The discussion shifts to Sandra's upcoming performance in "Twelfth Night" at the Delacorte Theatre in Central Park, highlighting the significance of free public performances.

• Sandra Oh on Twelfth Night:
  "All the world's a stage... What will you." ([22:27])

• Colbert's Reflection:
  He connects the performance's themes to contemporary issues of power and integrity:

  "What won't you bring yourself to do, to stay in power?" ([23:54])

Personal Insights and Experiences:
Sandra shares personal anecdotes, including her birthday celebrations and the importance of maintaining authenticity amidst public appearances.

• Birthday Celebration:
  "I had a perfect New York day... a little picnic... dinner at Uji Mi." ([26:14])

• Maintaining Privacy:
  "I'm just like this the entire time." ([26:47])

Closing Remarks with Sandra Oh:
The interview wraps up with Colbert thanking Sandra for her appearance and promoting her upcoming Shakespeare performance.

• Colbert:
  "Performances of Twelfth Night begin August 7th at the Delacorte Theatre here in New York." ([26:31])

Advertisements and Breaks

Throughout the episode, Colbert intersperses advertisements for brands like JCPenney and Wayfair, maintaining the show's signature blend of humor and promotion. These segments are succinct and designed to align with the show's comedic tone, ensuring minimal disruption to the primary content.

Conclusion

The episode seamlessly blends satire, personal interviews, and cultural commentary, anchored by Stephen Colbert's sharp comedic style and Sandra Oh's insightful perspectives. Key themes include the critique of cancel culture, the importance of free speech, and reflections on personal and professional growth. Through engaging dialogue and notable quotes, the episode offers both entertainment and thoughtful discourse, making it a valuable listen for audiences seeking depth and humor.

Notable Quotes:

• Stephen Colbert on Cancellation:
  "Cancel culture has gone too far... But they made one mistake. They left me alive." ([03:56])

• Sandra Oh on Free Speech:
  "What it means for free speech... a plague on both of your houses." ([16:26])

• Stephen Colbert on Shakespeare Performance:
  "What won't you bring yourself to do, to stay in power?" ([23:54])

• Sandra Oh on Kindness:
  "Kindness in silence... how to make change or to actually settle yourself into making a good decision." ([19:49])

This summary encapsulates the essence of the episode, highlighting the interplay between comedic satire and meaningful conversation, enriched by memorable quotes and thematic exploration.