Wendell Pierce | First Drafts: Black History Month

Summary

The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert: Wendell Pierce | First Drafts: Black History Month

Release Date: March 1, 2025

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Introduction

In this episode of The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert, host Stephen Colbert delves into the significance of Black History Month, celebrating both extraordinary and everyday achievements within the African American community. The episode features a special segment titled "First Drafts," where Colbert and his writer, John Thibodeau, examine the early, often flawed attempts at crafting Black History Month greeting cards. Additionally, the show welcomes acclaimed actor Wendell Pierce, marking his 40th year in the acting industry, to discuss his illustrious career and ongoing projects.

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Celebrating Black History Month: First Drafts Segment

Stephen Colbert introduces Black History Month as a time to honor the contributions of African Americans, both renowned and ordinary. To highlight the challenges in appropriately celebrating this month, Colbert presents his writer and certified Black person, John Thibodeau, to dissect the initial drafts of Black History Month greeting cards.

Notable Discussions:

• Authenticity in Messaging:

  • Colbert acknowledges the importance of genuine sentiment, stating, “I do not stand by the sentiment of any of the first drafts of these cards. And I believe that it is a very good thing that they were never sold” (04:00).

• Humorous Insights:

  • Thibodeau shares a first draft that reads, “happy Black History Month. Mountaintop. Nope. You will not catch my black ass skiing,” highlighting the often misguided attempts at conveying meaningful messages (04:14).
  • Another draft included, “I'm always there for you. Unless the barber screws up your hairline. Then I'm calling you Stephen A. Smith looking ass,” which Colbert humorously critiques (05:01).

• Reflection on Intentions:

  • The segment underscores the necessity for careful consideration in crafting messages that genuinely honor Black History Month without falling into clichés or unintended insensitivities.

Notable Quotes:

• Stephen Colbert ([04:39]): “I just learned about Black History Month greeting cards. Are they a real thing?”
• John Thibodeau ([04:55]): “I liked it a lot.”

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Interview with Wendell Pierce: Celebrating 40 Years in Acting

The latter half of the podcast features an in-depth conversation with Wendell Pierce, an esteemed actor known for his roles in The Wire, Jack Ryan, Raising Canaan, and the recently renewed CBS series Elsbeth. Pierce commemorates his 40-year career in acting, sharing insights into his journey, craft, and the evolution of his roles.

Career Reflections:

• Journey and Aspirations:

  • Pierce reflects on his career path, emphasizing the importance of building a body of work: “As an artist, you just want to build a body of work, and it’s not about the destination, it's about the journey” (09:52).

• Early Career Highlights:

  • Discussing his debut in The Money Pit, Pierce recalls working with Tom Hanks and the legendary cinematographer Gordon Willis, highlighting the unique dynamics on set (10:16).

• Character Acting:

  • Pierce elaborates on being a character actor, defining it as an opportunity to play complex and diverse roles: “Being a character actor means, first of all, you’re an actor of character. You get to play complex roles... villains and men with all sort of complexity” (11:33).

Approach to Shakespeare:

• Pierce shares his passion for Shakespeare, likening the playwright's structure to jazz improvisation: “It was like the American aesthetic freedom within the form. You can honor the form of the iambic pentameter, but bring something that you want to the role” (12:31).

• Favorite Lines:

  • He mentions lines from Richard III and The Wire, showcasing his range and ability to infuse humor into his performances (13:51).

Current and Future Projects:

• Elsbeth on CBS:

  • Pierce discusses his role in Elsbeth, describing it as a blend of classic detective storytelling with a modern twist: “She is like a female Columbo and she is a quirky lawyer... every week it’s a fun filled family show that starts out with a murder” (15:03).

• Upcoming Works:

  • He hints at future roles, including his preparation to portray Othello at the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington D.C., reflecting his continuous dedication to challenging and diverse roles (12:31).

Notable Quotes:

• Wendell Pierce ([09:35]): “I always just wanted to be a working actor.”
• Stephen Colbert ([11:55]): “It shows you the diversity of my career.”

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Key Discussions and Insights

1. Authentic Representation:

   • The "First Drafts" segment underscores the critical need for authenticity and sensitivity in celebrating Black History Month, avoiding superficial or misguided messages.

2. Character Acting vs. Leading Roles:

   • Wendell Pierce provides a nuanced perspective on character acting, highlighting its value in storytelling and the opportunity it offers actors to explore multifaceted characters beyond conventional leading roles.

3. The Artistic Journey:

   • Pierce’s reflections emphasize that an actor’s career is defined by the body of work and the impact each role has, rather than reaching a specific end goal.

4. Shakespeare and Artistic Freedom:

   • The conversation delves into the parallels between Shakespearean structure and jazz improvisation, illustrating how traditional forms can accommodate individual creativity and expression.

5. Diversity in Acting:

   • Pierce’s extensive career showcases the breadth of roles available to African American actors, from television series to classical theater, advocating for broader representation and opportunities.

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Conclusion

This episode of The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert effectively intertwines the celebration of Black History Month with a profound interview with Wendell Pierce, offering listeners both humor and heartfelt reflections. The "First Drafts" segment serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of thoughtful representation, while Pierce's discussion provides inspiration through his decades-long dedication to the craft of acting. Together, these elements create a rich, engaging experience that honors Black history and contemporary achievements in the entertainment industry.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Stephen Colbert ([04:00]): “I do not stand by the sentiment of any of the first drafts of these cards.”
• John Thibodeau ([04:14]): “You will not catch my black ass skiing.”
• Wendell Pierce ([09:35]): “I always just wanted to be a working actor.”
• Stephen Colbert ([11:33]): “Being a character actor means, first of all, you’re an actor of character.”
• Wendell Pierce ([12:31]): “It was like the American aesthetic freedom within the form.”
• Stephen Colbert ([15:03]): “She is like a female Columbo and she is a quirky lawyer.”

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Watch and Listen

To experience the full depth of this episode, tune in to The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert on Paramount+ or CBS. For more clips and exclusive content, visit The Late Show YouTube channel.

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Disclaimer: This summary is based on a fictional transcript provided for illustrative purposes.

Transcript

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[Stephen Colbert]

Folks, we got a live show coming up on Tuesday after the State of the Union, and our guest will be Secretary Mayor Pete Buttigieg. His first TV appearance since the inauguration. Got a note on that one. In the meantime, folks, it is Black History Month, a time when we celebrate the achievements.

Yeah, yeah.

Hell, yeah. Hell, yeah. The dome right there tonight, too. It is a time when we celebrate the achievements of extraordinary African Americans. And also ordinary ones like Todd. Okay, he's a good guy, but they're not naming things after Todd. Okay? If you're coming to town, they'll pick you up at the airport. You don't get a bridge for that, Todd. Anyway, apparently, and I did not know this, you can buy Black History Month greeting cards. But as we established multiple times on this program, the people who write greeting cards don't always get them right on the first try. So tonight we're gonna take a look at those early attempts in my segment first drafts. Here to help me. Come on out. Here to help me is my writer and certified black person, John Thibodeau. John, thank you so much for being here.

[John Thibodeau]

Glad to be here.

[Stephen Colbert]

Good to see you. Now, John, we normally do this with my wife, Evie, because she is everything to me except black. And I want all black people to know that as a white person, I take full responsibility for that. I'm doing the work.

[Audience Member]

I know.

[John Thibodeau]

Stephen, I've always wanted to say this. You're one of the good ones.

[Stephen Colbert]

Okay, thank you very much. That is no problem.

[John Thibodeau]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

That is. Yeah. Appreciate that, man.

Yeah.

Hey, that is going on the resume. I just learned about Black History Month greeting cards. Are they a real thing?

[John Thibodeau]

Absolutely. Hallmark, all the big names, they make them. Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Have you ever gotten a Black History Month card?

[John Thibodeau]

No.

[Stephen Colbert]

Have you ever given a Black History Month card?

[John Thibodeau]

Nope.

[Stephen Colbert]

But they are real.

[John Thibodeau]

Yep.

[Stephen Colbert]

Okay, now that we've established that, let's get to the bit. Okay. So one of my favorite here on the show, actually, I got two stacks of cards here.

[John Thibodeau]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Okay. There you go. That's for you. I have here some cards that white people might give to their black friends for Black History Month. And you have a separate pile.

[John Thibodeau]

Yeah. These are the ones that black people might give each other.

[Stephen Colbert]

And again, I want to reiterate to you and to everyone watching and everyone here in the theater, each one of these cards had a first draft that was not good. And I do not stand by the sentiment of any of the first drafts of these cards. And I believe that it is a very good thing that they were never sold. John, it's Black History Month. Why don't you start?

[John Thibodeau]

Okay, sure. Here we go. Here's one that says, happy Black History Month. Together we will make it to the mountaintop.

[Stephen Colbert]

That is lovely.

[John Thibodeau]

Yeah, I like that.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah.

[John Thibodeau]

But the first draft said, happy Black History Month. Mountaintop. Nope. You will not catch my black ass skiing.

[Stephen Colbert]

Accurate. Don't do it. Don't enjoy the skiing.

[John Thibodeau]

No, I don't do it. I like my acl, my mcl intact.

[Stephen Colbert]

Okay, good. Good to hear it. Here's a nice one. I'm here to listen. Happy Black History Month. It's an important sentiment.

[John Thibodeau]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Important thing to keep in mind. I know that much. But the first draft said, I'm here to listen. But I have no idea what the Kendrick Lamar halftime show was about. Did the car symbolize him being sponsored by Buick? It was good, though.

[John Thibodeau]

Yeah, it was good. It was real good.

[Stephen Colbert]

It was good. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[John Thibodeau]

I liked it a lot.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yep.

[John Thibodeau]

All right, this one says, I'm always there for you. We got us. Happy Black History Month. Nice.

[Stephen Colbert]

Nice. Solidarity.

[John Thibodeau]

Yeah, solidarity. Gotta stick together. But the first draft said, I'm always there for you. Unless the barber screws up your hairline. Then I'm calling you Stephen A. Smith looking ass.

[Stephen Colbert]

Get him.

[John Thibodeau]

Starts back here. It starts back here.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah, yeah. All right, here's one that says, reparation an idea whose time has come. Happy Black History Month. There you go.

[John Thibodeau]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

But the first draft said, reparation an idea whose time has come. Please enjoy a $20 gift card to Starbucks. Oh, yeah, write that down. Yeah, write that down.

Yep.

All right, you're up next.

[John Thibodeau]

Okay, I'm up next. Here we go. Here's another one. Here's another. Actually, this is another Kendrick one. When the world's got you down, just remember the words of Kendrick Lamar. We gonna be all right.

[Stephen Colbert]

That's nice. That's nice.

[John Thibodeau]

But the first draft said, when the world's got you down, just remember the words of Kendrick Lamar. I pray my gets as big as the Eiffel Tower so I can the world for 72 hours.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, that one. Yeah, that one. I understood he has a Pulitzer Press. Yes, he does. This one says to my black friend, I see you, I hear you, I support you. Happy Black History Month. That is nice.

[John Thibodeau]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

And I mean that.

[John Thibodeau]

Oh, yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

I mean that the first draft said to my black friend, well, I mean, I actually have lots of black friends. Maybe not lots, but definitely a few. But you're my favorite. Not that I'm ranking black people. That would be weird. Oh, God. When will this month be over, my friend?

[John Thibodeau]

Yes, indeed. We got another one here. Here's a nice one. Black History Month. Strength in unity. Look at that. But lo and behold, the first draft said Black History Month. Let's make up some whack handshakes to confuse the whites.

[Stephen Colbert]

Whites. The whites.

[John Thibodeau]

Yeah, the white. The whites.

[Stephen Colbert]

John Thibodeau, everybody. John, thank you so much.

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[Stephen Colbert]

Hello. Welcome back, everybody. My next guest tonight is an actor, you know from the Wire, Jack Ryan and Raising Canaan. He now stars in the hit CBS series Elsbeth, which was just renewed for its Third season. Please welcome back to the Late Show, Wendell Pierce.

Hello, everyone.

Nice to see you again.

Good seeing you again.

You were last here in 2022 for death of a Salesman.

Yes, yes.

But this year, 2025, I understand. Mark Zaberi, important milestone in your career. Tell the people what we got here.

I am celebrating my 40th year in the business as an actor.

Wow, that's extraordinary. 40 years.

40 years.

40 years.

I came here. I came here from New Orleans to study at Juilliard and graduated 40 years ago.

How. How close are you after 40 years to being the actor you want to be?

Oh, nowhere near. It's one of those things that, you know, I always just wanted to be a working actor. And what you want to do as an artist is build a body of work, you know, so you can look back and see, you know, who you've touched, how you've changed all of that. So, you know, as an artist, you just. You want to build a body of work, and it's not about the destination, it's about the journey. So I'm enjoying the journey, you know.

Well, let's talk about the start of that journey. Yeah, let's go back. This is 1985. This is 1985. Wendell Pierce. This is you first movie with Tom Hanks. There you are in this from. This is from the Money pitch. There you are.

That was the Money Pit. I was. I don't even. I don't even know if I had a name. I was just like, you know, ambulance guy or something like that.

Right.

And I'll never forget, man, I was so excited. It's Tom Hanks, man. It's a comedy, man. Shelley Long, you know, but the cinematographer was the great Gordon Willis from the Godfather.

The Godfather cinematographer shot Money Pit.

Yeah, the Money Pit. And it was a comedy. But, you know, when he was working, he was like, quiet. The great Gordon Willis is lighting, and Tom Hanks was like, isn't this a comedy? Can't we mess around a little? So we had to be very quiet in between takes, you know, or Gordon would be like. I mean, I guess, like everything, you know. So it was. It was a great time, though. It was a great way to start your career.

You're sometimes referred to as a character actor for people who don't know what that means. A. How would you define that? And is that a compliment to you?

It's absolutely a compliment. Being a character actor means, first of all, you're an actor of character. Right. Wow. And then also, you get to play complex roles. You know, they always, you know, they put the leading man up there. You know, he basically has to stay chiseled and look handsome all the time.

I know.

And you get to be interesting, you know, villains and men with all sort of complexity, you know. So, like right now I'm playing a police captain on Elsbeth. I'm playing an old school gangster bank robber on Raising Canaan. I'm playing the deputy CIA director on Jack Ryan. And preparing, preparing to play Othello next season in Washington D.C. at the Shakespeare Theatre Company.

Wow. You've done Shakespeare before this far, yes. Do you enjoy it?

I love Shakespeare. I learned. I learned. I was studying Shakespeare, you know, in high school in New Orleans at the New Orleans center for Creative Arts. I went there with, went to them, Branford, Marcellus and John Baptiste and all the cats, right? And. But I, I remember learning how to do Shakespeare. I came to New York, I was studying at Juilliard, and we went to the Village Vanguard, and I was listening to Arthur Blyth, right. I'm a big jazz fan. And he was playing this tune. It was very melodic and I kept humming it in my head. And he went on this wild, wild solo. And then when he came to the end of it, he came right back and we were just in sync. And I realized he knew exactly where he was the entire time he was playing. And then I realized he kept the form of the song, but still was able to be free and improvisational. And that's what Shakespeare is like. It's like the American aesthetic freedom within the form. You can honor the form of the iambic pentameter, but bring something that you want to the role. And that's what America is. We're a nation of laws, but you can be an individual within it, you know, so that's. That's the beauty of Shakespeare.

Do you have a favorite? When you. Do you have any Shakespeare at the tip of your tongue? Something that immediately comes to you when you think of, like, a line that you really enjoy.

Yeah, I. I did Richard iii. I played Clarence. Oh, I've passed a miserable night so full of fearful dreams of ugly sights that as I am a Christian faithful man I would not spend another such a night Though twere to buy a world of happy days so full of dismal terror was the time. And then I think of another favorite line of mine from the Wire when I was playing Bunk and I described myself, and that line is, I'm just a humble mother with a big ass.

There's you've got range.

Yeah. So that just shows you. It shows you the range of a character actor.

[John Thibodeau]

Right.

[Stephen Colbert]

It shows you the diversity of my career.

You're now starring in the CBS series Elsbeth. No one expects that.

They did not.

No one expects that. You're now starring in the CBS series Elsbeth in its second season. Just got picked up for the third, which is nice. What's for the uninitiated to Thursday nights? What is it about and who do you play?

It's. It's your best lead in Thursday night.

Are you kidding? Lady Matlock. And then Elsbeth.

There it is.

That's it.

So Carrie Preston is a brilliant actor. She plays Elizabeth, a character that she created on the Good Wife and they brought her back. She is like a female Columbo and she's quirky lawyer and she is a thorn in my side because I'm a rigid sort of NYPD cop. But every week it's a fun filled family show that starts out with a murder. Right?

Yeah. We talked to somebody over there. Cause I keep asking cbs, I want to be a corpse on one of these shows. I want to be the body that's found behind the pile of like lettuce boxes. Absolutely.

I can make that happen.

You can?

Yeah. We just got picked up. You know a guy. I know a guy who knows a guy. And then we can get you on.

Thank you.

You know me, I really appreciate it. Thank you.

Elsbeth airs Thursdays at 10pm on CBS and is streaming on Paramount. Plus Wendell Pierce, everybody. 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.

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