The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert

Episode: Stephen Presents: Jeff Daniels’ Colbert Questionert
Date: March 25, 2026
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This episode features Stephen Colbert engaging actor Jeff Daniels in the renowned "Colbert Questionert" segment, a series of offbeat, soul-probing questions designed to reveal the guest’s truest self. The episode is peppered with humorous banter, personal anecdotes, and moments of genuine reflection, both from Colbert and Daniels, making for a light-hearted, conversationally rich interview.

Episode Summary

Opening and Springtime Banter (01:05–03:36)

• Stephen Colbert and Becca begin with lighthearted talk about the slow approach of spring, neighborhood walks, and the physical toll of winter ("winter hunch/haunch").
• They riff on the emergence of tulips and daffodils in New York City, contrasting harsh city environments with the promise of renewal.
• (02:18) Becca introduces a game called “Guess the Jeff,” referencing recurring guests named Jeff on the show.
• Humorous guesswork leads swiftly to the focus on Jeff Daniels.

The Legendary Sandwich & Pita Story (03:36–17:28)

Jeff Daniels’ Viral Sandwich (03:36–04:00)

• Becca recalls how Daniels’ answer to the “best sandwich” question (“pita, thick peanut butter, chips, barbecue sauce”) went viral.
• The hosts debate the practicality—and density—of the sandwich, with Colbert noting, “I also think you need a really high quality pita.” (03:44)

Stephen Colbert’s Baghdad Pita Story (04:02–17:18)

• Colbert tells a detailed, emotional story of filming The Colbert Report for troops in Baghdad:
  • They went through immense logistical pressure and months of preparation ("We got a lot of no’s until we got a yes." - 04:03).
  • Describes the stress and emotional toll of performing in a former Saddam Hussein palace, packed with history and unease.
  • “You could feel the darkness in the building. It was like being in the Overlook Hotel.” (08:28)
• After the harrowing week, Colbert describes another pita memory: decompressing in Kuwait with fresh, warm pita and Diet Coke—"it absolutely leveled me out like a Klonopin." (09:57)
• Anecdotes about smuggling vodka, “jooz” (orange juice), and heart-pounding stress follow, blending humor with vivid recollections.

Homemade Pita & Cooking Talk (12:30–17:18)

• Discussion veers into making homemade pita (credits to colleague Mai Alani) and the superiority of fresh vs. store-bought pita.
• Colbert shares experiences with illegal, restaurant-grade stoves and high-heat cooking ("You could watch a pot of water boil." - 15:44).

Memorable moment:
“Welcome to The Splendid Table. I’m Stephen. This is Becca.” – Colbert, joking about the digression into home cooking advice (13:32)

Colbert & Daniels’ Friendship (17:18–18:44)

• Colbert reflects on his warm connection with Daniels:
  • "He was the first star who came on." (17:18)
  • Jeff Daniels was the second (after a sportswriter) guest Colbert ever interviewed in test shows for The Colbert Report.

Transition to "Colbert Questionert" (17:44–18:44)

• Colbert sets the stage for the Questionert, noting its reputation as a “heat-seeking missile to the soul.”

The Colbert Questionert with Jeff Daniels (18:44–32:34)

1. Best Sandwich (19:02)

• Daniels: "Pita bread... quarter-inch of creamy peanut butter... ruffles cheddar and sour cream potato chips... barbecue sauce... fold it over, boom."
• Colbert: “You’re either eating that in a poncho or naked. That is dangerous.” (20:29)

2. First Concert (20:39)

• Daniels: Arlo Guthrie at Detroit’s Masonic Temple (age 15, went with parents).
  • “And down the row comes a joint the size of a cigar coming toward my father…” (21:27)

3. Scariest Animal (22:04)

• Daniels: "What is the name of the animal on top of Trump's head?" (22:10)

4. Apples or Oranges? (22:30)

• Daniels: Apples. Eats the whole apple, including seeds.
• Colbert: “They have arsenic, don’t they?” (22:40)
• Daniels: “I’m still here—for now.” (22:43)

5. Ever Asked for an Autograph? (23:08)

• Daniels: Childhood hero Al Kaline (Detroit Tigers), at a supermarket signing.
  • "Later on I met him. He was... very gracious with people who came to him, and he certainly was to me." (23:54)

6. What Happens When We Die? (24:05)

• Daniels: Imagines the afterlife is like Joel Osteen’s megachurch: “but bigger... has to hold basically everyone who’s ever died.” (24:29)
• Colbert: "Reserved seating is an issue.” (24:37)

7. Favorite Action Movie? (25:11)

• Daniels: "Speed" (which he starred in).
  • Vividly details acting in an explosion scene: “How do you act that? ... I just dropped my cheek muscles. That’s all I did.” (26:15)

8. Favorite Smell? (26:43)

• Daniels: "The inside of a Martin guitar... You can smell the factory… 52 people have had their hands on each one of the woods.”
• Colbert: “There you go.” (27:07)

9. Least Favorite Smell? (27:25)

• Daniels: “Someone else’s vomit.” (27:27)
• Colbert: “That would be a good name for a memoir.” (27:33)

10. Earliest Memory (27:38)

• Daniels: Learning JFK was shot; “the look on (teacher) Mrs. Madsen’s face…” (28:14)

11. Cats or Dogs? (28:30)

• Daniels: Dogs—shares moving story of a “drop-off” rescue chow-shepherd named Fred.
  • “If he were a human being, he’d have been a hitman…” (29:21)

12. One Song for Rest of Life (29:33)

• Daniels: “Levon” by Elton John. Remembers first hearing it in his dad’s Ford Pinto in 1971.
• Colbert: Shares Pinto story: “You got ripped off.” (31:05)

13. What Number Am I Thinking Of? (31:05)

• Daniels: “6000, 212… 6,213.”
• Colbert: “Warmer.”

14. Rest of Your Life in Five Words (32:18)

• Daniels: “Anybody want to listen to Levon?”

Colbert: “Congratulations, Jeff. You are known.” (32:31)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Stephen Colbert on stress:
  “All that cortisol just got released that I wouldn’t allow my body to have... all came out at once.” (12:00)

• Jeff Daniels on signature sandwich:
  "Peanut butter, that brand of potato chips, and the barbecue. It's like visiting three countries at once. And they're all in your mouth.” (20:10)

• On afterlife seating:

  • “You don’t want to be sitting next to an [expletive] for eternity.” – Daniels (24:37)

• On family:

  • “If he were a human being, he’d have been a hitman, because he would sit out in the driveway… 'You want me to take him out?'” – Daniels on his dog Fred (29:21)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------|-------------| | Guess the Jeff, intro to Daniels | 02:18–03:36 | | Viral sandwich discussion | 03:36–04:00 | | Colbert’s Baghdad pita story | 04:02–17:18 | | Homemade pita & cooking reminiscence | 12:30–17:18 | | Colbert/Daniels friendship reflection | 17:18–18:44 | | Colbert Questionert begins | 18:44 | | Best Sandwich answer | 19:02 | | First concert | 20:39 | | Scariest animal | 22:04 | | Apples or Oranges | 22:30 | | Autograph story | 23:08 | | On death/afterlife | 24:05 | | Favorite action movie | 25:11 | | Favorite/least favorite smell | 26:43/27:25 | | Earliest memory | 27:38 | | Cats or dogs | 28:30 | | “Levon”/One song forever | 29:33 | | “What number am I thinking of” | 31:05 | | Rest of your life in five words | 32:18 | | Closing: “You are known” | 32:31 |

Tone & Style

• Warm, playful, and self-deprecating—brimming with dry humor, affection, and digressions.
• Blends personal storytelling with classic talk-show banter, creating a comfortable, occasionally vulnerable atmosphere.

For First-Time Listeners

This episode is quintessential late-night Stephen – informal, intimate, and witty – with a standout segment featuring Jeff Daniels’ extraordinary sandwich, moving war zone stories, and the revealing, delightful “Colbert Questionert.” Whether you’re a Daniels fan, a sandwich adventurist, or just want laughs and insight, this episode delivers warmth and a few genuinely touching moments.