Podcast Summary: The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert

Episode: Stephen Presents: Director Jim Hoskinson
Date: October 7, 2025
Host: Stephen Colbert
Guests: Jim Hoskinson (Director), Becca (Producer), Yvonne Demar (Incoming Director)

Episode Overview

This special episode of The Late Show Pod Show centers on a heartfelt and celebratory conversation with Jim Hoskinson, the Emmy-winning director who has helmed both “The Colbert Report” and “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” for the past two decades. Marking the end of Jim’s tenure as director following his retirement, Stephen pays tribute to his career, reminisces about memorable moments from their collaboration, and introduces Jim’s successor, Yvonne Demar. The episode is filled with warmth, behind-the-scenes insights, and affectionate humor characteristic of Colbert’s Late Show family.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Guess-the-Guest Introduction and Jim’s Legacy

• [01:44-02:41] Becca and Stephen play a quick round of “guess the guest,” eventually revealing that the guest is Jim Hoskinson, the soon-to-retire and much-loved director.
• Stephen: “I’m so grateful for the 20 years. 20 years. My director.”
• Becca shares her own admiration for Jim, reflecting on how revered he’s been ever since she joined the show as an intern.

2. Jim’s Career and Colbert Collaboration

• [03:21-05:04] Stephen details Jim’s impressive directing resume:
  • 1446 episodes of “The Colbert Report”
  • Over 1600 episodes of “The Late Show”
• Jim’s TV history includes directing the infamous “We’ll do it live!” moment on “Inside Edition.”
• Stephen (on the viral moment): “That’s quite a notch on that totem pole right there. Nicely done.”
• Jim and Stephen reminisce about their two decades of collaboration, highs and lows, and the pressure-filled excitement of live shows.

3. Working Together: Teamwork, Trust, and Technical Achievement

• [05:10-06:11]
• Stephen (on Jim’s leadership):

  “I just wanted to thank you for putting together, not only with your competence, but with your leadership, with your calmness under pressure, with your willingness to try very difficult things at the very last minute on the show… I could not have done it without your leadership.” ([05:26-06:11])

• Jim’s Response: “Thank you.”
• [06:12-06:37] Jim expresses pride in their ability to deliver such a technically demanding show, considering the multitude of multimedia elements used nightly.

4. Passing the Torch: Yvonne Demar Steps In

• [06:39-07:29]
• Jim reveals his retirement plans—buying an RV and hitting the road—before announcing Yvonne Demar as his successor, a colleague with 20 years of experience by his side.
• Yvonne joins in for a quick exchange:
  • Stephen: “Are you going to be okay if I occasionally forget and call you Jim?”
  • Yvonne (Becca): “I insist.” ([07:30-07:42])

5. Reflections on the Best Parts of the Job

• [07:51-08:23]
• Jim:

  “I think what I like best about it is that I can’t do anything literally without [the team]… Everybody else has to do their job before I can do my job. So it’s really nice to know that we all have to work together… makes us feel good that we work so well together as a team.”

6. Parting Words and Closing Fun

• [08:23-08:27]

• Stephen: “Thank you for being a consummate professional.”

• Becca: “Thank you.”

• Stephen thanks Jim for being a great host and colleague, and the trio expresses their affection and gratitude.

• [09:10-09:11]

• Stephen: “May I speak freely?”

• Jim: “I prefer English.” ([09:10-09:11])

• A final moment of warm, classic Colbert humor.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Stephen (on Jim’s Emmy win):

  “The man responsible for directing 1446 episodes of the Colbert Report and over 1600 episodes of this show.” ([03:21])

• Jim (on teamwork):

  “There’s no way to do my job without everyone else contributing to it.” ([07:51-08:23])

• On iconic TV infamy:

  “That ‘Do it live!’ moment… that’s quite a notch on that totem pole right there. Nicely done.” ([04:04])

• Yvonne's playful response:

  Stephen: “Are you going to be okay if I occasionally forget and call you Jim?”
  Yvonne: “I insist.” ([07:41])

• Classic Colbert sign-off banter:

  Stephen: “May I speak freely?”
  Jim: “I prefer English.” ([09:10-09:11])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:44-02:41 – Introduction and reveal of Jim Hoskinson as guest
• 03:21-05:04 – Stephen recounts Jim’s storied directing career, referencing the “Inside Edition” viral moment
• 05:26-06:11 – Stephen’s tribute to Jim’s calm and competence
• 06:12-06:37 – Jim describes the technical achievement and pride in the show’s complexity
• 06:39-07:29 – Announcement of Yvonne Demar as new director; Yvonne joins the conversation
• 07:51-08:23 – Jim reflects on the collaborative team dynamic
• 09:10-09:11 – Final humorous exchange between Stephen and Jim

Tone and Atmosphere

The episode is celebratory and deeply affectionate, with Stephen expressing heartfelt gratitude and pride, Jim reflecting humbly on the teamwork behind the show’s success, and the entire conversation laced with the show’s signature wit. The camaraderie and love among the staff are clear, resulting in a poignant send-off for a beloved director.

In summary:
This episode serves both as a behind-the-scenes peek at the inner workings of late-night TV and as a touching tribute to Jim Hoskinson’s 20-year legacy. It highlights the power of collaboration, trust, and friendship in making television magic night after night.