The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert: "What's Going On Over There?"
Release Date: March 23, 2025
In the episode titled "What's Going On Over There?" Stephen Colbert takes listeners on an international journey, spotlighting quirky and intriguing news stories from around the globe. This detailed summary captures the essence of Colbert's monologue, highlighting key discussions, humorous insights, and notable quotes from the episode.
1. Norway: The Cheeto of Scandinavia
Topic: Cheating Scandal in Ski Jumping
Stephen opens the discussion with a revelation from Norway's ski jumping scene. At the recent World Ski Championships, two Norwegian ski jumpers were caught cheating by using manipulated jumpsuits reinforced with special threads to enhance their performance.
Notable Quote:
"Let him who watches a man hurl himself into the sky at 80 miles an hour, soar 300ft and stick a perfect landing. And then he goes. Wait a second. Does his jumpsuit have reinforced thread? Not impressed."
[01:30]
This scandal not only shocked fans but also brought into question the integrity of the sport in Norway, humorously dubbed "The Cheeto of Scandinavia."
2. England: Royal Shrovetide Soccer
Topic: An Ancient and Unusual Sport
Transitioning to England, Colbert delves into the bizarre tradition of Royal Shrovetide—a centuries-old version of soccer with unusually civilized rules, such as prohibiting murder. The game has sparked theories about its origins, with some suggesting that the ball was historically a head tossed into the crowd post-public execution.
Notable Quote:
"That sounds a little sensationalist, Jim. Let's see what it looks like. Yeah, that used to be a head."
[02:15]
He humorously imagines the game in action, adding a comedic touch to the strange and historical aspects of the sport.
3. Austria: Vienna's Vegetable Orchestra
Topic: Guinness World Record for a Vegetable Orchestra
In Austria, Vienna's Vegetable Orchestra has achieved a Guinness World Record as the first orchestra to exclusively use vegetable-based instruments. While not the first food-themed musical group—recognizing the English band "Bred Zeppelin"—this Austrian ensemble has made a lighthearted yet impressive mark in the music world.
Notable Quotes:
"When asked, are you all vegetarian? One of them answered, no, we are not. Don't ask again, adding, we've heard this question 3 million times."
[03:45]
"What part of Viennese musicians playing eggplants and parsnips do you not get?"
[04:00]
Colbert highlights the orchestra's dedication while poking fun at the repetitive nature of their explanations.
4. Scotland: Loch Ness Monster Sighting
Topic: New Loch Ness Monster Sighting
Moving to Scotland, Colbert discusses the latest sighting of the legendary Loch Ness Monster. A visitor captured an image showing a dark mass beneath the water, reigniting curiosity and skepticism about the elusive creature's existence.
Notable Quote:
"A dark mass under the water? Could it be a rock or a seal or something? Yes. Yes, it could."
[04:30]
He humorously underscores the perennial debate surrounding Nessie, emphasizing the thin line between myth and reality.
5. France: Unexploded World War II Bomb
Topic: Rail Disruption Caused by WWII Bomb
In France, just outside Paris, an unexploded World War II bomb accidentally detonated, leading to significant rail disruptions. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and experts confirmed that even if the bomb had exploded earlier, it wouldn't have altered the war's outcome.
Notable Quote:
"Even if the bomb had gone off last week, it would have been too late to change the outcome of the war."
[05:00]
Colbert uses this incident to reflect on the lingering impacts of historical conflicts in contemporary settings.
6. Japan: Celebrating Longevity and Culinary Innovations
a. World's Oldest Female Barber
Japan boasts Shih Tzui, the world's oldest female barber at 108 years old, recognized by Guinness World Records. Colbert admires her dedication while humorously questioning the practicality of her continued use of sharp tools at such an advanced age.
Notable Quotes:
"She is 108 years old. That is amazing and inspiring. And shouldn't she be allowed sharp objects?"
[05:30]
"There's a reason not a lot of nursing homes have wood shop."
[05:45]
b. Starbucks Japan's New Matcha Cherry Blossom Frappuccino
Japan's Starbucks unveils a new Matcha Cherry Blossom Frappuccino, blending traditional Japanese flavors in an ambitious attempt to capture the seasonal spirit. Colbert references the previous year's unconventional Tempura and Yellowtail Wasabi Ice Shrimpuccino, expressing hope for greater success this time.
Notable Quote:
"Hopefully it will be more successful than last year's Tempura and Yellowtail Wasabi Ice Shrimpuccino."
[06:10]
He playfully critiques the bold flavor combinations, highlighting the country's innovative approach to culinary beverages.
Conclusion
Throughout the episode, Stephen Colbert masterfully combines humor with insightful commentary on international events. By highlighting unusual traditions, remarkable achievements, and curious incidents worldwide, Colbert provides listeners with an entertaining and informative perspective on what's happening "over there." The inclusion of witty remarks and notable quotes enhances the engaging narrative, making complex or odd news accessible and enjoyable for all audiences.
Notable Exclusions:
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Advertisements: The transcript included advertisements for Instacart, Roan, and Shopify. Following the user's instructions, these segments were omitted from the summary to focus solely on content-rich sections.
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Promotional Content: At the end of the transcript, Colbert promotes the Late Show YouTube channel and Shopify services. These promotions were excluded to maintain the summary's focus on the episode's main discussions.
This comprehensive summary encapsulates the essence of "What's Going On Over There?" offering readers a vivid portrayal of the episode's key topics and Stephen Colbert's unique comedic take on global happenings.