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Tommy Morrissey
I've been counted out, dismissed, passed over, told I'd never be a golfer with just one arm.
Stephen Colbert
But the only thing that feels better than proving people wrong is out driving them. I'm 14 year old golfer Tommy Morrissey.
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.
Sarah Snook
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Stephen Colbert
Welcome one and all to the Late Show. I'm your host, Stephen Colbert. Folks, I've been, I've been, I've been looking at the world and there's just so much of it. And because of how it is, you know, how it kind of is, I think we all deserve a little treat. And so let's just start off dessert first. Let's do dessert first. A few hours ago, the White House hosted the winners of the college football championship, the Ohio State University Buckeyes. And when the vice president went to hoist the trophy. Take a look. That was wonderful. You gotta really hand it to JD Actually don't hand him anything. Cause the thing. Cause the thing he just Said, oh, here's another thing. This is kind of fun. This isn't too bad. I'm not saying America's becoming misogynist, but I will point out, this morning, six women tried to flee the planet. Jeff Bezos. Jeff Bezos. Blue Origin launched an all female celebrity crew into. There they go. And this time that rocket does not look like a penis. Okay? Because this time it's an all female crew. It looks like a personal massager. It's just relaxing. It's just relaxing is what it is. The big names on the special mission, Katy Perry, Jeff Bezos, fiance Lauren Sanchez, and CBS own Gayle King, who said that Oprah encouraged her to join the trip in part because she didn't want to be subject to any talk of FOMO translation. Oprah forced Gayle to go to space. How do we know this wasn't really Gayle's idea? Here are the women excitedly ringing the bell. Not as excited. Scale's not as excited. That is the face of someone quietly cursing. Quietly cursing Oprah in her mind. There you go. The celebs were joined on the rocket by former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bo, bioastronautics research scientist Amanda Wynne, and film producer Carrie Ann Flynn. Here they are before takeoff in full glam. Here's a fun fact. It's actually NASA tradition to do a sexy mission photo shoot. We all remember Buzz Aldrin's famous moon sessions. There you go. Katy Perry. Katy Perry gave a pre flight interview about her excitement for the voyage. I've always been interested in astrophysics and.
Sarah Snook
Interested in astronomy and astrology and the stars. I feel like we are all made of stardust.
Stephen Colbert
Yes. I mean, it is well known that Katy Perry's always been interested in astrophysics. I mean, just like Albert Einstein who once famously said, I kissed a girl unt I liked it. He did, actually.
Tommy Morrissey
Really?
Stephen Colbert
Yeah, his cousin. It was his cousin. He married his cousin. The flight was brief. It was like three minutes in space. 11 minutes total. But they still managed to squeeze in some zero G selfies. And Katy Perry even held up a butterfly shaped set list for her new tour. Well, of course you're not gonna go to space and not advertise. We all remember this famous scene. We are farmers. Dum dum dum dum dum dum dum. Yeah, sure, that happened. That happened.
Tommy Morrissey
That really happened.
Stephen Colbert
That happened. That happen. People forget. When the flight was over, the capsule safely landed without any incident. But I think someone forgot to tell Gail because here she is exiting the capsule.
Tommy Morrissey
I just have to have a moment with the brow.
Stephen Colbert
For just a second. God bless her. God bless her. Okay, Gayle is not doing that again, no matter how many Meghan Markle jam baskets Oprah gives her. Sorry. Saucy. Sorry, Sussex. Perhaps the best moment of the whole excursion happened right here on Earth after the women had landed, when Jeff Bezos was walking around the capsule trying to find the door. And oopsie daisy. Billionaire. Yeah, billionaire. Fall down, go boom. Turns out, one small step for man. Still too much for Jeff Bezos. Now, how are we doing on time? We're doing okay. All right, folks, I'm sorry to inform you that it's time to talk about Donald Trump's body. Yeah, I know. Yesterday, the White House shared the results of Trump's physical, which was conducted by White House doctor Captain Sean Barbabella, seen here learning he's going to conduct Trump's physical. Can I just stay over here and poke him with a broom? Dr. Barbabella. That's his name. Barbabela really gave Trump a clean bill of health, saying his active lifestyle continues to contribute significantly to his well being, including his, quote, frequent victories in golf events. Adding his well being is also due to a cruel, indifferent universe where good, hard working people are routinely diagnosed with terminal illnesses, but an objectively evil monster who only eats cheeseburgers and fried chicken lives forever. The world is chaos. There is no God. Proven by his frequent victories in golf events. Barbabella, good man and thorough, wrote, I performed and supervised the comprehensive exam which included diagnostic and laboratory testing, as well as consultations with 14 specialty consultants. Because nothing says good health like your doctor saying, I think you're fine. I just need to consult with 14 specialty consultants and they have to bring their own broom. The doctor did call out some of Trump's medical history, including seasonal allergies, a history of COVID 19 infection, and well managed rosacea. Well managed, of course, is a medical term meaning covered with deck varnish. Although cleared for now, Trump will have to go back to Walter Reed at some point. As the doctor explained, gastroenterology recommended a follow up colonoscopy in three years. A Trump. A Trump colonoscopy is a truly harrowing mission that can only be accomplished by our best and bravest Gail. Oprah says you have to. Katie, bring the butterfly. Onboard Air Force One, a reporter asked Trump about his exam. Overall, I think I'm in very. I felt I was in very good shape. Good heart, a good soul. Very good soul, yes. No, no. Very good soul. At least that's what the red guy with the horn said down at the crossroads, he offered to trade me all the power in the world for it. I said, sure thing. I'm not using it. And sometimes at night, I can hear it screaming. Oh, here's something that I learned, I think we all learned from Trump's last presidency. There's fun parts and there's disturbing parts, and tonight we're all out of fun parts. This next part, you're gonna want to put in a bite stick. Because today Trump met with a kindred autocrat, El Salvador President Nayib Bukele, who calls himself the world's coolest dictator. Not a ton of competition there. The only ones in the running were Bukele and Generalissimo Chita of Tetonia. Bukele has something that Trump really admires, a huge prison complex that experts have described as hell on earth. I'd say that's underselling it. At least in hell, you never get a visit from Kristi Noem. One of the inmates currently in that prison is a Maryland man legally working here in the United States, married to an American citizen with American children. His name is Kilmar Albrego Garcia, and he was kidnapped by ICE and rendered to the torture prison because one of Trump's own lawyers have admitted was an administrative error. Trump's folks are trying to. Whoops a daisy. A human rights violation. It's like when Hitler came out with mein bad. Now both a federal district court and the United States Supreme Court, unanimously right, have told the Trump administration to bring Albergo Garcia back. But so far, the administration has refused to obey the court order. And today in the Oval Office, he was asked about it. Do you plan to ask President Bukele.
Tommy Morrissey
To help return the man who your administration says was mistaken to support it?
Stephen Colbert
Well, let me ask Pam, would you answer that question? That's up to El Salvador.
Tommy Morrissey
If they want to return him. Do you plan to return.
Stephen Colbert
I don't have the power to return.
Tommy Morrissey
Him to the United States.
Stephen Colbert
Yes, you do. You're a dictator. All you have to do is dictate that he gets out of prison, then go on Orbitz and get him a one way ticket to Maryland. And his torture will be over as long as you don't fly him on Spirit airlines. So as depressing as that might be to see the total abdication of our constitutional system because the President won't obey the Supreme Court. If there's one thing that keeps me hopeful about America, it's America's youths and American's olds. Because this Weekend Senator Bernie Sanders made a surprise appearance at Coachella. Do you know.
Sarah Snook
All right.
Stephen Colbert
Do you know how bad things have to be for an 83 year old man to willingly go to Coachella? It's loud, there's nowhere to sit down, and it's impossible to find orthotics that go with camo micro shorts and a macrame halter top. But the crowd loved him. Here's his introduction. Please give it up for Senator Bernie Sanders. Thank you. That's wild. A politician hasn't been that popular at a music festival since Richard Nixon opened at Woodstock. Don't eat the brown acid. I'm tripping balls. Sanders was there opening for pop artist Claro, who he thanked upon taking the stage. Thank you very much. I wanted to thank Claro for allowing me to get up here. I wanted to thank Claro, who I definitely heard of before today. She's one of my favorite musicians. It goes Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie. Claro. I'm a 365 party girl. It's gonna be a sad girl summer. We got a great show for you tonight coming up.
Sarah Snook
Sarah, Snoop.
Andy
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Stephen Colbert
Folks. My first guest tonight is an Emmy and Olivier award winning actor. You know from Predestination, Memoir of a Snail and Succession. She is currently starring on Broadway in the Picture of Dorian Gray. Please welcome back to the Late Show, Sarah Snook. Hi.
Nourish Dietitian
Hi.
Stephen Colbert
Lovely to have you back. Are you enjoying New York?
Tommy Morrissey
Yes, greatly. So. It's amazing. I mean, yeah, audiences here are so good, aren't they?
Stephen Colbert
Lovely.
Tommy Morrissey
So nice.
Stephen Colbert
Here's the play. You're on Broadway starring in a production of the Picture of Dorian Gray that turns the Oscar Wilde novel into a one woman show. You play 26 characters?
Tommy Morrissey
Yes, I do.
Stephen Colbert
No one? No other actors you want to share the stage with at this point? If you're. It's you or nothing at this point?
Tommy Morrissey
No, at this point in the run, I'm like, can someone else want to come on stage for a moment?
Stephen Colbert
Well, were you familiar with the story before you took on the. No. You didn't know it? No, I didn't know the basics. Like there's a picture in the attic.
Tommy Morrissey
And yeah, there's the deal with the devil, sort of, you know, that kind of stuff. I knew, but I hadn't read the text at all, which was great then to know that I was doing it and then diving into the actual book. It's such a great book.
Stephen Colbert
So it's you, 26 characters. You're speaking. How long is the play?
Tommy Morrissey
The play is an hour 55.
Stephen Colbert
And you're just, you talking for an hour 55?
Tommy Morrissey
Yeah.
Stephen Colbert
That's a lot. Are you being paid by the word? Because I would.
Tommy Morrissey
I mean, look, there's 60,000 words. So.
Stephen Colbert
60,000 words is the novel 60,000 words?
Tommy Morrissey
No. If I did the whole novel back to like front to cover, back to back, it would be 15 hours. And no one wants to see me do that.
Stephen Colbert
Oh, I don't know. I don't know.
Tommy Morrissey
I don't want to see me do that.
Stephen Colbert
It's okay. It's a. It's a high wire act. There's a lot of choreography. There's a lot of technology involved. I. I can't imagine it's always gone smoothly.
Tommy Morrissey
Oh, you know, there's technological things that are involved in the show and so of course.
Stephen Colbert
Well, sure. Well, I get to stop cameras and take it again. You don't get to do that live on Broadway. You can't just say, let's just take it back from the top, everybody.
Tommy Morrissey
You heard that bit. Let's do it again. No, we. Yeah, I mean, things. Things do go wrong. Something went wrong the other night. I just had to keep rolling and barreling through. Do you know, I made a mistake and the director was in the audience, and I said, did you notice I accidentally did the. Never done this before, but someone put the seed of idea in my head, and I accidentally did the wrong voice for the wrong character. And I asked the director if he knew, and he said no. I was like, I guess I am not very good after all that.
Stephen Colbert
But 60,000 words. I mean, to learn 60,000 words. And one of the things that's kind of amazing. I had a teacher once who said, like, don't. Like, sometimes actors, people will come backstage and go, oh, my God. How did you remember all those lines? It really kind of is miraculous. How do you remember all those lines? And do you remember all those lines?
Tommy Morrissey
Do you know if I started halfway through? And sometimes when I'm getting a note from the director, he'll be like, this bit. And I go, I don't. I don't know what you're talking about. I can't. I can't start.
Stephen Colbert
Yeah.
Tommy Morrissey
I gotta start at the beginning and then go all the way through. I mean, I can some. I really would need to think about it to pick up the thread halfway through.
Stephen Colbert
And you've never gone up on your line?
Tommy Morrissey
Uh, I mean, on the first in London. I did not here in the. In London.
Stephen Colbert
Oh, we have high standards in New York. In London.
Tommy Morrissey
That's why we did it in London.
Stephen Colbert
Exactly. First Olivier. Olivia. Congratulations. Olivier, Ward and all that.
Tommy Morrissey
And.
Stephen Colbert
And that's why we got into this business. But so what? So when did you go? Was that. That's a wonderful feeling.
Tommy Morrissey
It's not a wonderful feeling when you forget your lines.
Stephen Colbert
Yes.
Tommy Morrissey
No, Olivier was a wonderful feeling. Yes, but no. In the first preview in London, I completely dried.
Stephen Colbert
First time there was an audience.
Tommy Morrissey
Yep, Yep. I suddenly got one.
Stephen Colbert
How far in?
Tommy Morrissey
Ah, seven lines in.
Stephen Colbert
Yeah.
Tommy Morrissey
Pretty high. Yeah.
Stephen Colbert
Wow. What did you do?
Tommy Morrissey
Well, the fortunate thing about this particular show is there are camera people around me all the time. So I just stared down the barrel of the lens and went, line. And the person said the line. Rose very kindly gave me my line. And I couldn't hear her because she was so nervous about saying a line too loudly. And so I was like, line, unbeknownst. To me, my husband in the audience was shedding his and his jumper. He's like, oh, my God, she's got 60,000 left. She can't get through her first one.
Stephen Colbert
So you say you love New York audiences. Is there a difference between a New York, like, seriously, a difference between a New York audience and a London audience?
Tommy Morrissey
There's not. I mean, they are very. They're both very welcoming, which is great. Um, I have found a little bit, like, the cultural difference, perhaps, if there is one, is like, maybe American audiences, to show that they're really enjoying being there.
Sarah Snook
Ha, ha.
Tommy Morrissey
And so they want to, like, laugh and clap and, like, let you know they're there. Whereas London audiences tend to be reserved to go, I don't want to disturb her, just make sure that she's okay. And then at the end, you know. Very well done.
Stephen Colbert
Well done.
Tommy Morrissey
Excited in their praise. Well done.
Stephen Colbert
Does it ever distract you, the audience?
Tommy Morrissey
No, but I heard someone came and saw the show the other day, and they said. They said they didn't want to laugh too loudly or laugh too loudly or too often because they didn't want to throw me off. Because there's a really specific timing with a lot of the lines. It's like 13.3 seconds here. And, you know, so they were holding back their emotions, like, oh, no, you let rip. I've done this a number of times.
Stephen Colbert
What about Australian audiences?
Tommy Morrissey
Well, I've never had that live in the theater yet.
Stephen Colbert
No, neither have I. And that scared me a little bit just now. I was like, we have security, though. We have security. So are they like that? Is that an Aussie audience?
Tommy Morrissey
Yeah, maybe.
Stephen Colbert
Yeah.
Tommy Morrissey
There's really sporty and loud, riotous.
Stephen Colbert
Well, so much of the succession cast after that incredible run of that show, so many of y'all bolted off for the stage. So you obviously. You went off to do the Picture of Dorian Gray. Jeremy Strong did An Enemy of the People, Brian Cox did A Long Day's Journey Into Night, J. Smith. Cameron did Juno in the Peacock, and Kieran Culkin in Glengarry Glen Ross.
Tommy Morrissey
Yeah.
Stephen Colbert
Is it a coincidence that you all just dashed back to the boards?
Tommy Morrissey
Yeah, I think it speaks more to the casting in the first place in that, like, the casting directors were looking for actors who could work in an ensemble who had maybe had roots in the theatre or came from that. And, you know, so many. There's so many amazing actors in New York who do both. They just, like. They tread the boards.
Stephen Colbert
Here's your New York open right there. There's all your Jean Samuel fans. You guys keep in touch.
Tommy Morrissey
We do. We have a. We have a succession thread.
Stephen Colbert
A succession thread?
Tommy Morrissey
Yeah.
Stephen Colbert
That's a fun text chant.
Tommy Morrissey
It's nice. Although there are two that run and sometimes Alan forgets which one's the most up to date and so he'll start on succession folks. But really, we've been on successionites for a while, so it's like you gotta know them both.
Stephen Colbert
Well, you don't need to text with Karen. Cause Karen's right down the street from you doing Glengarry Glen Ross. And he showed up. What night is this Was your opening night. What are your previews?
Tommy Morrissey
It was like. It was maybe the third preview.
Stephen Colbert
Free preview. Here's a clip right here. I was taking pictures of your theater. I love you so much. Are you sick? I don't care. It's going really well. I can't wait to see her. Did you know that he was in her?
Tommy Morrissey
No.
Stephen Colbert
No idea.
Tommy Morrissey
No idea. Which is so. It was so nice because I was. It was actually really sick and I was, you know, signing things and a little bit overwhelmed of where am I? And suddenly this face was like, yeah, yeah, yeah, it's a great show. I was like, what? Oh, oh, it's like your older brother picking you up from kindergarten or something.
Stephen Colbert
He's got two kids and you have a two year old daughter, Right? Do the kids get together and play?
Tommy Morrissey
Well, they have played together here in Brooklyn, but Kieran was busy getting an Oscar so he just wasn't able to hang out.
Stephen Colbert
Just keep you so busy.
Tommy Morrissey
So we've hung out but he wasn't able to.
Stephen Colbert
You grew up in Australia next to a national park, right? Yeah, it was sort of idyllic.
Tommy Morrissey
It was great. It was so beautiful. And you know, nature, I feel because of that and maybe in Australian culture as well. I think nature is so a part of our lifestyle growing up. And it was fantastic living next to a national park.
Stephen Colbert
But your daughter's not growing up next to a national park.
Tommy Morrissey
No, but she's. She's fairly international at this point.
Stephen Colbert
Oh, yes.
Tommy Morrissey
In her two. Almost two years.
Stephen Colbert
Where has she lived in two years? Wow.
Tommy Morrissey
She's lived in London and she's lived in Australia and she's lived in New York.
Stephen Colbert
At 2 years old. Does she have a favorite?
Tommy Morrissey
We taught her to say New York City, baby. So.
Stephen Colbert
Just to make sure those come in handy. Well, Sarah, it's so lovely to see you again. Thank you for being here. The picture of Dorian Gray is at the Music Box Theater, right down the street. 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.
Podcast Summary: The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert – Episode Featuring Sarah Snook
Episode Details:
Stephen Colbert kickstarts the episode with his signature blend of humor and current events commentary. He touches on several topics, including a recent all-female space mission orchestrated by Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin, Donald Trump's latest health assessment, and a surprising appearance by Senator Bernie Sanders at Coachella.
All-Female Space Mission:
Donald Trump's Health Report:
Bernie Sanders at Coachella:
Stephen warmly welcomes his guest, Sarah Snook, an Emmy and Olivier Award-winning actress known for her roles in "Predestination," "Memoir of a Snail," and "Succession." Snook is currently starring in a Broadway production of "The Picture of Dorian Gray."
a. Broadway Experience: Sarah Snook discusses her role in the one-woman show adaptation of Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray," where she portrays 26 characters. She shares insights into the challenges and creative processes involved.
Performance Dynamics:
Memorable Moments:
b. Comparing Audiences: The conversation shifts to the differences between performing in New York and London, emphasizing cultural nuances in audience reactions.
c. Transition from "Succession" to Theater: Snook explains the transition from her acclaimed role in "Succession" to the stage, noting the strong ties between TV and theater actors in New York.
d. Personal Anecdotes: Stephen and Sarah share light-hearted stories about navigating the theater world, including interactions with fellow actors and balancing personal life with a demanding career.
e. Life Outside the Stage: The discussion touches on Sarah's upbringing in Australia, her international lifestyle, and raising her daughter in multiple cities.
f. Reflections on Acting: Sarah reflects on the dedication required for her craft, the importance of live performances, and her aspirations.
Throughout the interview, several memorable quotes stand out:
Colbert on All-Female Space Mission:
“It looks like a personal massager.”
Snook on Performing Multiple Characters:
“I just have to have a moment with the brow.”
Colbert on Audience Differences:
“American audiences... want to laugh and clap... London audiences... tend to be reserved.”
Snook on International Life:
“We taught her to say New York City, baby.”
Stephen wraps up the conversation by expressing appreciation for Sarah Snook's contributions to both television and theater. He encourages listeners to watch her performance at the Music Box Theater and directs them to The Late Show YouTube channel for more exclusive content.
This episode of The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert offers a delightful blend of humor, current events, and an intimate glimpse into Sarah Snook's multifaceted acting career. From her challenging role on Broadway to her experiences transitioning from acclaimed TV series to live theater, Snook provides insightful and engaging commentary. Colbert's sharp wit and seamless interaction with his guest make this episode both entertaining and informative for listeners.
Listeners are encouraged to:
Notable Timestamps:
Additional Information:
This comprehensive summary encapsulates the essence of the episode, highlighting key discussions, humorous exchanges, and insightful moments between Stephen Colbert and Sarah Snook. It is crafted to provide value to listeners who may not have tuned into the episode, offering a detailed overview of the content and its engaging elements.