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

Release Date: March 1, 2025

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.

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.”

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.”

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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