The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert Featuring Tony Hawk

Episode Release Date: March 8, 2025
Guest: Tony Hawk, Legendary Professional Skateboarder

1. Warm Welcome and Career Reflections

The episode opens with Stephen Colbert warmly welcoming Tony Hawk back to The Late Show Pod Show. Colbert commences the conversation by highlighting Tony’s multifaceted career as depicted in his Twitter bio, which reads: “pro skater, father, husband, video game character, CEO, philanthropist and public skate park advocate, old AF and still skating.”

Tony responds with humility, expressing his disbelief and gratitude for having built a successful career around skateboarding. Reflecting on his journey, Tony shares:

“I feel like I've reached. I've kind of come full circle in that. I started very young, and then as I got better, people thought, oh, they're pretty good for their age. And then I kind of had my peak... and then I got so old that it was like, he's pretty good for his age.”
— Tony Hawk (02:52)

2. The Iconic 900 Trick and Its Legacy

Colbert steers the conversation towards Tony’s groundbreaking achievement of executing the first-ever 900 at the X Games over 25 years ago. He nostalgically remarks:

“A little over 25 years ago at the X Games, you became the first person to ever execute a 900... and we got the clip right here.”
— Stephen Colbert (04:18)

Tony elaborates on the immense effort and perseverance required to master the trick:

“I was on a mission for nearly 12 years trying to get that trick... I did my 10,000 falls in the quest for that.”
— Tony Hawk (05:05)

He candidly discusses the physical toll of skateboarding, mentioning multiple injuries, including a broken femur and elbow, underscoring the relentless dedication demanded by the sport.

3. Skateboarding Culture and Inclusivity

A significant portion of the discussion delves into skateboarding as a deeply inclusive and creative sport. Tony passionately states:

“I feel like it's the most inclusive sport you've ever seen. Like, if you go to a skate park probably right now, you'll see people of all ages, all genders, all races, all skill levels, all enjoying the same space, all encouraging each other.”
— Tony Hawk (11:25)

He emphasizes that the essence of skateboarding lies in its accessibility—requiring nothing more than a board and, ideally, a friend. This universality fosters a vibrant and supportive community, making skateboarding a unique cultural phenomenon.

4. The Impact of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater Video Games

Colbert and Tony transition to discussing the influential Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater video game series, particularly focusing on its iconic soundtracks. Colbert shares an anecdote from a listener, Carly Rasner, who highlighted the profound impact the game had on her husband’s life.

Tony reflects on his involvement in curating the game’s music:

“We weren't under many regulations for that game. It had never been done before. So Activision gave us free reign to do whatever we wanted. I definitely wanted to keep the culture alive in it and represent it well.”
— Tony Hawk (08:36)

He credits the game’s soundtrack with introducing players to new bands and genres, thereby enriching both the gaming and music landscapes.

5. Upcoming Releases and Future Projects

The conversation builds excitement around the upcoming Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 and 4 Remastered editions. Tony announces the collaboration with original skaters Steve Cavallaro, Kareem Campbell, Eric Kostin, and Rodney Mullen, highlighting their revolutionary contributions to skateboarding.

“We are re-releasing Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 and 4 Remastered with those characters... a lot of new surprises. But all the info drops tomorrow.”
— Tony Hawk (10:32)

Colbert describes global billboards teasing the release, showcasing the widespread anticipation and enduring legacy of the franchise.

6. Personal Insights and Experiences

In a nostalgic exchange, Colbert reminisces about his skateboarding days in the late 1970s, praising the simplicity and freedom the sport offers. Tony concurs, reiterating his love for skateboarding as a medium for creative expression and community building.

The episode concludes with Colbert encouraging listeners to stay updated on the remastered game releases via Tony’s social media channels and promotes The Late Show YouTube channel for additional content.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Tony Hawk (02:52):
  “I feel like I've reached. I've kind of come full circle in that... and then I got so old that it was like, he's pretty good for his age.”

• Stephen Colbert (04:18):
  “A little over 25 years ago at the X Games, you became the first person to ever execute a 900... and we got the clip right here.”

• Tony Hawk (05:05):
  “I was on a mission for nearly 12 years trying to get that trick... I did my 10,000 falls in the quest for that.”

• Tony Hawk (11:25):
  “I feel like it's the most inclusive sport you've ever seen... all encouraging each other.”

• Tony Hawk (08:36):
  “We weren't under many regulations for that game... I definitely wanted to keep the culture alive in it and represent it well.”

• Tony Hawk (10:32):
  “We are re-releasing Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 and 4 Remastered with those characters... all the info drops tomorrow.”

Conclusion

This episode of The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert offers an in-depth and engaging conversation with Tony Hawk, celebrating his monumental contributions to skateboarding, the gaming industry, and popular culture. Through candid reflections, shared anecdotes, and exciting announcements, Tony provides listeners with a comprehensive look into his enduring legacy and the future of skateboarding.