Welcome to Better Know a Guest, your weekly guide to the wonderful and diverse array of personalities appearing on ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ each week.
It’s time for a new week of fresh shows brought to you by Stephen Colbert and the fine folks at “The Late Show.” Stephen continues to keep us sane by pushing the envelope in his brilliant monologues, hilarious segments, and witty banter with his guests. What will he have in store for us this week?!
Which guest(s) are you looking forward to? Join in the conversation and let us know in the comment section. Donʼt forget to take our weekly poll!
In Weekend News: Hold on tight, because there is actually good news to report! Federal authorities have halted construction of the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline. In a decision celebrated by the thousands of protestors gathered at the Standing Rock site on Sunday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced that they would not grant an easement required for the $3.8 billion project to cross under Lake Oahe in North Dakota and would instead “explore alternate routes.” The voices of Native Americans have been heard!
It seems that the president-elect is not up to snuff on delicate foreign policies. Surprise, surprise! On Friday, Trump tweeted that he had spoken to the “president of Taiwan,” who had called “to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency.” What may sound like just a phone call was a split with a delicate longstanding U.S. policy meant to protect relations with China, which considers Taiwan part of its country. The U.S. government recognized China’s claim in 1979, and does not have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan as part of a “one China policy.” For this reason, a U.S. president or president-elect has not spoken with a leader of Taiwan in more than 35 years. China’s foreign ministry announced Saturday that it had lodged a complaint over Trump’s call. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in a statement, “The one-China policy is the cornerstone of the healthy development of China-U.S. relations, and we hope this political foundation will not be interfered with or damaged.”
Monday, December 5th (2016)
Jason Bateman (Actor – “Office Christmas Party”)
Jason Bateman is an American actor, director, and producer whose film credits include “Juno,” “Up in the Air,” “Horrible Bosses” and its sequel. He played Michael Bluth on the critically acclaimed sitcom “Arrested Development,” for which he won a Golden Globe. Bateman now stars in the upcoming comedy “Office Christmas Party.” When the CEO (Jennifer Aniston) tries to close her hard-partying brother’s (T.J. Miller) branch, he and his chief technical officer (Bateman) must rally their co-workers and host an epic office Christmas party in an effort to impress a potential client and close a sale that will save their jobs. Critic reviews for this film are not yet available. “Office Christmas Party” opens in theaters on December 9th.
Padma Lakshmi (Host – “Top Chef”) and (Author – “The Encyclopedia of Spices and Herbs: An Essential Guide to the Flavors of the World”)
Padma Lakshmi is an Indian-born American author, actress, model, television host, and executive producer. Since 2006, she has been the host of the reality television program “Top Chef,” which earned her an Emmy nomination. The theme of the fourteenth season of “Top Chef” is “Old vs. New.” Sixteen “cheftestants” begin the competition, eight of whom are playing for the first time, while the other eight are veterans from previous seasons. The chef who makes it through the season and is named the winner earns a prize package highlighted by $125,000. “Top Chef” airs Thursdays at 10:00pm ET on Bravo. Lakshmi’s latest cook book is “The Encyclopedia of Spices and Herbs: An Essential Guide to the Flavors of the World,” an A-to-Z compendium of spices, herbs, salts, peppers, and blends, with beautiful photography and a wealth of explanation, history, and cooking advice. “Her words are so ever present and her descriptions so in-depth … I will carry this tome with me for a year. Everyone should have a copy of this encyclopedia in their collection,” raves Mario Batali.
Michael Lewis (Author – “The Undoing Project: A Friendship That Changed Our Minds”)
Michael Lewis is an American non-fiction author, financial journalist, and contributing editor at Vanity Fair. Lewis has published books on various subjects, with all but one becoming a New York Times best seller. His last three works, “Flash Boys: A Wall Street Revolt,“ “The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine,” and “Boomerang: Travels in the New Third World” are all narratives set during the global financial crisis. Lewis’ upcoming book is “The Undoing Project: A Friendship That Changed Our Minds.” This story about the workings of the human mind is explored through the personalities of two fascinating individuals so fundamentally different from each other that they seem unlikely friends or colleagues. In the process they may well have changed, for good, mankind’s view of its own mind. “Lewis has written one hell of a love story,” raves The New York Times. And Harper’s Bazaar proclaims, “Intellectually mesmerizing and inspiring.” “The Undoing Project” is available on December 6th.
Tuesday, December 6th (2016)
Joe Biden (Vice President of the United States)
Joe Biden is the 47th and current Vice President of the United States, having been jointly elected twice with President Barack Obama. Biden is a Democrat who represented Delaware as a US Senator from 1972 until becoming the Vice President in 2008. He made his first appearance on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” during its premiere week in September 2015, with a highly praised and heartfelt interview. At that time it was speculated that Biden would make a bid to run for president. This will be his first talk-show appearance since the 2016 presidential election, during which Biden was a strong supporter of Hillary Clinton. A bipartisan tribute for Vice President Biden will take place on December 7th in the Senate. Both Democrats and Republicans will attend the hour-long tribute which will be a celebration of Biden’s next chapter in public service. The Vice President has long enjoyed a loyal following, but as Obama’s presidential tenure draws to a close, the outpouring of affection for Biden on social media has been even more pronounced. Post-election memes featuring imagined relationships between Biden and Obama have gone viral on the internet. Biden will be missed by his admirers, who affectionately call him “Uncle Joe,” when his service as Vice President comes to an end in January.
DJ Khaled (Author – “The Keys” / Album – “Major Key”)
DJ Khaled is an American record producer, radio personality, DJ, record label executive, author, and hip-hop artist. The founder of We The Best Music Group, he is also the creator of one of the most globally viewed Snapchat accounts. In July 2016 he released his 9th studio album, “Major Key.” The album, which debuted at number one on Billboard 200, features guest appearances from many artists including Future, Big Sean, Rick Ross, Jay Z, Drake, Nas, and Kendrick Lamar. Khaled’s new book, “The Keys,” is described as the book They don’t want you to read and reveals his major keys to success. “‘The Keys’ is, ostensibly, a self-help book, a life guide. Through it are woven elements of Khaled’s biography, sure – little vignettes where ‘having self belief’ is the moral of every story, times in Khaled’s life when he has struggled then turned it around by really, really believing in himself, and also DJing – but it is primarily to help you, and me, and Young World (young people),” writes Vice. “The Keys” is available now.
Wednesday, December 7th (2016)
Sigourney Weaver (Actress – “A Monster Calls”)
Sigourney Weaver is an Academy Award nominated American actress and film producer whose film credits include “Alien” and its three sequels, “Ghostbusters” and its sequel, “Working Girl,” and “Avatar.” She now stars in the upcoming fantasy drama “A Monster Calls,” which tells the story of 12-year-old Conor who when dealing with his mother’s illness, a less-than-sympathetic grandmother (Weaver), and bullying classmates, finds a most unlikely ally when a Monster appears at his bedroom window. Ancient, wild, and relentless, the Monster guides Conor on a journey of courage, faith, and truth. “This beautifully structured fable may be focused on the specific pain, of a specific child, during a specific moment in time, but it blows up every fragment of its premise into heart-stirring universal appeal,” raves The Playlist. And The Verge proclaims, “[Director] J.A. Bayona has created an unforgettable, emotional experience with ‘A Monster Calls,’ one that lets us grapple with our most basic human fears and worries, while lighting a beacon of hope that can shine through that darkness.” “A Monster Calls” opens in theaters on December 23rd.
Andy Cohen (Host – “Watch What Happens: Live”) and (Author – “Superficial: More Adventures from the Andy Cohen Diaries“)
Andy Cohen is an American talk show and radio host, author, and producer. Cohen hosts the Bravo nightly series “Watch What Happens: Live.” After being head of development at Bravo for more than 10 years, Cohen resigned in November 2013. He continues to serve as an executive producer of “The Real Housewives” franchise. He has won an Emmy and two Peabody Awards for his work. His latest book is “Superficial: More Adventures from the Andy Cohen Diaries.” In this account of his escapades―personal, professional, and behind-the-scenes―Cohen tells us not only what goes down, but exactly what he thinks of it. “Superficial” is available now. Cohen is currently on tour with Anderson Cooper for their AC2 Tour: Deep Talk and Shallow Tales. “Watch What Happens: Live” airs Sundays through Thursdays at 11:00pm on Bravo.
Pilobolus (Modern Dance Company)
Pilobolus is an American modern dance company that began performing in October 1971. Pilobolus has performed over 100 choreographic works in more than 64 countries around the world, and has been featured on the 79th Annual Academy Awards, “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” and “Late Night with Conan O’Brien.” Pilobolus performances are characterized by a strong element of physical interaction between the bodies of the performers and exaggerations or contortions of the human form, requiring extreme strength, flexibility, and athleticism. Pilobolus recently performed at the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts. “Throughout the program the costumes were perfect, the music swelling and the dancers absolutely awe-inspiring. Each element of the show had clearly been tended to with the utmost attention,” raves Washington Square News. Pilobolus will begin its US tour of “Shadowland” in January.
Thursday, December 8th (2016)
Octavia Spencer (Actress – “Hidden Figures”)
Octavia Spencer is an American actress and author. She is best known for her role as Minny Jackson in the 2011 film “The Help,” for which she won the BAFTA, Golden Globe, SAG, Critics’ Choice, and Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Her other film credits include “The Divergent Series: Insurgent,” “Zootopia,” and “Fruitvale Station.” Spencer now stars in the upcoming biological drama “Hidden Figures,” which recounts the story of the African-American mathematician Katherine Johnson and her two colleagues, Dorothy Vaughan (Spencer) and Mary Jackson, who, while working in the segregated West Area Computers division of Langley Research Center, helped NASA catch up in the Space Race. Using their calculations, John Glenn became the first American astronaut to make a complete orbit of the Earth. Critic reviews for this film are not yet available. “Hidden Figures” opens in theaters on Christmas Day.
Travis Scott (Album – “Birds In The Trap Sing McKnight”)
Jacques Webster, known professionally as Travis Scott, is an American Trap recording artist and record producer. Trap music is a subgenre that originated during the 1990s from Southern hip hop. “Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight” is his second studio album. “‘Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight’ escapes as Travis Scott’s best work yet: a combination of elevated significance, self-awareness, and the old trick of spinning something so plain into something so luxurious,” raves Pitchfork. And XXL proclaims, “‘Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight’ is a roller coaster ride of an experience, with an endless amount of highlights, whether it be an indelible hook here or timely guest verse there.” “Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight” is available now.
Friday, December 9th (2016)
Olivia Munn (Actress – “Office Christmas Party”)
Olivia Munn is an American actress and model whose film credits include “Date Night,” “Mortdecai,” and “X-Men: Apocalypse.” She was a correspondent on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” from 2010 to 2011 and played Sloan Sabbith on the HBO television series “The Newsroom.” Munn now stars in the upcoming comedy “Office Christmas Party.” When the CEO (Jennifer Aniston) tries to close her hard-partying brother’s (T.J. Miller) branch, he and his chief technical officer (Jason Bateman) must rally their co-workers and host an epic office Christmas party in an effort to impress a potential client and close a sale that will save their jobs. Critic reviews for this film are not yet available. “Office Christmas Party” opens in theaters on December 9th.
Martin Freeman (Actor – “Sherlock”)
Martin Freeman is an English actor who is best known for portraying Tim Canterbury on the original UK version of the sitcom mockumentary “The Office,” Dr. John Watson on the British crime drama “Sherlock,” Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson’s “The Hobbit” film trilogy, and Lester Nygaard on the dark comedy-crime drama TV series “Fargo.” After a three year hiatus “Sherlock” will return for a forth series and Freeman will reprise his role as Dr. Watson. “The appeal is elementary: good, unpretentious fun,” writes The New York Times. And The Independent (London) declares, “What an exhilarating return.” Series four of “Sherlock” premieres January 1st on BBC One in the UK and on PBS in the US.
Tom Papa (Stand-Up – “Tom Papa: Human Mule”)
Tom Papa is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, producer, and television and radio host. He appeared in the films “Behind the Candelabra” and “The Informant!” and his TV appearances include “Inside Amy Schumer” and “The Jim Gaffigan Show.” Papa is the host of the weekly podcast “Come to Papa” where he explores the funny side of life with the legends of comedy, film, and all around cool people. Some of his guests have included Mel Brooks, Jerry Seinfeld, Rob Zombie, Mario Batali, and a host of rising stars and proven veterans. In his third stand-up special, “Tom Papa: Human Mule,” he talks about fatherhood, the challenges of everyday life, and what it’s like being an American today. “Tom Papa: Human Mule” premieres December 9th on Epix.
Better Know a Guest: December 5 – 9, 2016
Welcome to Better Know a Guest, your weekly guide to the wonderful and diverse array of personalities appearing on ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ each week.
It’s time for a new week of fresh shows brought to you by Stephen Colbert and the fine folks at “The Late Show.” Stephen continues to keep us sane by pushing the envelope in his brilliant monologues, hilarious segments, and witty banter with his guests. What will he have in store for us this week?!
Which guest(s) are you looking forward to? Join in the conversation and let us know in the comment section. Donʼt forget to take our weekly poll!
In Weekend News: Hold on tight, because there is actually good news to report! Federal authorities have halted construction of the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline. In a decision celebrated by the thousands of protestors gathered at the Standing Rock site on Sunday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced that they would not grant an easement required for the $3.8 billion project to cross under Lake Oahe in North Dakota and would instead “explore alternate routes.” The voices of Native Americans have been heard!
It seems that the president-elect is not up to snuff on delicate foreign policies. Surprise, surprise! On Friday, Trump tweeted that he had spoken to the “president of Taiwan,” who had called “to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency.” What may sound like just a phone call was a split with a delicate longstanding U.S. policy meant to protect relations with China, which considers Taiwan part of its country. The U.S. government recognized China’s claim in 1979, and does not have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan as part of a “one China policy.” For this reason, a U.S. president or president-elect has not spoken with a leader of Taiwan in more than 35 years. China’s foreign ministry announced Saturday that it had lodged a complaint over Trump’s call. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in a statement, “The one-China policy is the cornerstone of the healthy development of China-U.S. relations, and we hope this political foundation will not be interfered with or damaged.”
Monday, December 5th (2016)
Jason Bateman (Actor – “Office Christmas Party”)
Jason Bateman is an American actor, director, and producer whose film credits include “Juno,” “Up in the Air,” “Horrible Bosses” and its sequel. He played Michael Bluth on the critically acclaimed sitcom “Arrested Development,” for which he won a Golden Globe. Bateman now stars in the upcoming comedy “Office Christmas Party.” When the CEO (Jennifer Aniston) tries to close her hard-partying brother’s (T.J. Miller) branch, he and his chief technical officer (Bateman) must rally their co-workers and host an epic office Christmas party in an effort to impress a potential client and close a sale that will save their jobs. Critic reviews for this film are not yet available. “Office Christmas Party” opens in theaters on December 9th.
Padma Lakshmi (Host – “Top Chef”) and (Author – “The Encyclopedia of Spices and Herbs: An Essential Guide to the Flavors of the World”)
Padma Lakshmi is an Indian-born American author, actress, model, television host, and executive producer. Since 2006, she has been the host of the reality television program “Top Chef,” which earned her an Emmy nomination. The theme of the fourteenth season of “Top Chef” is “Old vs. New.” Sixteen “cheftestants” begin the competition, eight of whom are playing for the first time, while the other eight are veterans from previous seasons. The chef who makes it through the season and is named the winner earns a prize package highlighted by $125,000. “Top Chef” airs Thursdays at 10:00pm ET on Bravo. Lakshmi’s latest cook book is “The Encyclopedia of Spices and Herbs: An Essential Guide to the Flavors of the World,” an A-to-Z compendium of spices, herbs, salts, peppers, and blends, with beautiful photography and a wealth of explanation, history, and cooking advice. “Her words are so ever present and her descriptions so in-depth … I will carry this tome with me for a year. Everyone should have a copy of this encyclopedia in their collection,” raves Mario Batali.
Michael Lewis (Author – “The Undoing Project: A Friendship That Changed Our Minds”)
Michael Lewis is an American non-fiction author, financial journalist, and contributing editor at Vanity Fair. Lewis has published books on various subjects, with all but one becoming a New York Times best seller. His last three works, “Flash Boys: A Wall Street Revolt,“ “The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine,” and “Boomerang: Travels in the New Third World” are all narratives set during the global financial crisis. Lewis’ upcoming book is “The Undoing Project: A Friendship That Changed Our Minds.” This story about the workings of the human mind is explored through the personalities of two fascinating individuals so fundamentally different from each other that they seem unlikely friends or colleagues. In the process they may well have changed, for good, mankind’s view of its own mind. “Lewis has written one hell of a love story,” raves The New York Times. And Harper’s Bazaar proclaims, “Intellectually mesmerizing and inspiring.” “The Undoing Project” is available on December 6th.
Tuesday, December 6th (2016)
Joe Biden (Vice President of the United States)
Joe Biden is the 47th and current Vice President of the United States, having been jointly elected twice with President Barack Obama. Biden is a Democrat who represented Delaware as a US Senator from 1972 until becoming the Vice President in 2008. He made his first appearance on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” during its premiere week in September 2015, with a highly praised and heartfelt interview. At that time it was speculated that Biden would make a bid to run for president. This will be his first talk-show appearance since the 2016 presidential election, during which Biden was a strong supporter of Hillary Clinton. A bipartisan tribute for Vice President Biden will take place on December 7th in the Senate. Both Democrats and Republicans will attend the hour-long tribute which will be a celebration of Biden’s next chapter in public service. The Vice President has long enjoyed a loyal following, but as Obama’s presidential tenure draws to a close, the outpouring of affection for Biden on social media has been even more pronounced. Post-election memes featuring imagined relationships between Biden and Obama have gone viral on the internet. Biden will be missed by his admirers, who affectionately call him “Uncle Joe,” when his service as Vice President comes to an end in January.
DJ Khaled (Author – “The Keys” / Album – “Major Key”)
DJ Khaled is an American record producer, radio personality, DJ, record label executive, author, and hip-hop artist. The founder of We The Best Music Group, he is also the creator of one of the most globally viewed Snapchat accounts. In July 2016 he released his 9th studio album, “Major Key.” The album, which debuted at number one on Billboard 200, features guest appearances from many artists including Future, Big Sean, Rick Ross, Jay Z, Drake, Nas, and Kendrick Lamar. Khaled’s new book, “The Keys,” is described as the book They don’t want you to read and reveals his major keys to success. “‘The Keys’ is, ostensibly, a self-help book, a life guide. Through it are woven elements of Khaled’s biography, sure – little vignettes where ‘having self belief’ is the moral of every story, times in Khaled’s life when he has struggled then turned it around by really, really believing in himself, and also DJing – but it is primarily to help you, and me, and Young World (young people),” writes Vice. “The Keys” is available now.
Wednesday, December 7th (2016)
Sigourney Weaver (Actress – “A Monster Calls”)
Sigourney Weaver is an Academy Award nominated American actress and film producer whose film credits include “Alien” and its three sequels, “Ghostbusters” and its sequel, “Working Girl,” and “Avatar.” She now stars in the upcoming fantasy drama “A Monster Calls,” which tells the story of 12-year-old Conor who when dealing with his mother’s illness, a less-than-sympathetic grandmother (Weaver), and bullying classmates, finds a most unlikely ally when a Monster appears at his bedroom window. Ancient, wild, and relentless, the Monster guides Conor on a journey of courage, faith, and truth. “This beautifully structured fable may be focused on the specific pain, of a specific child, during a specific moment in time, but it blows up every fragment of its premise into heart-stirring universal appeal,” raves The Playlist. And The Verge proclaims, “[Director] J.A. Bayona has created an unforgettable, emotional experience with ‘A Monster Calls,’ one that lets us grapple with our most basic human fears and worries, while lighting a beacon of hope that can shine through that darkness.” “A Monster Calls” opens in theaters on December 23rd.
Andy Cohen (Host – “Watch What Happens: Live”) and (Author – “Superficial: More Adventures from the Andy Cohen Diaries“)
Andy Cohen is an American talk show and radio host, author, and producer. Cohen hosts the Bravo nightly series “Watch What Happens: Live.” After being head of development at Bravo for more than 10 years, Cohen resigned in November 2013. He continues to serve as an executive producer of “The Real Housewives” franchise. He has won an Emmy and two Peabody Awards for his work. His latest book is “Superficial: More Adventures from the Andy Cohen Diaries.” In this account of his escapades―personal, professional, and behind-the-scenes―Cohen tells us not only what goes down, but exactly what he thinks of it. “Superficial” is available now. Cohen is currently on tour with Anderson Cooper for their AC2 Tour: Deep Talk and Shallow Tales. “Watch What Happens: Live” airs Sundays through Thursdays at 11:00pm on Bravo.
Pilobolus (Modern Dance Company)
Pilobolus is an American modern dance company that began performing in October 1971. Pilobolus has performed over 100 choreographic works in more than 64 countries around the world, and has been featured on the 79th Annual Academy Awards, “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” and “Late Night with Conan O’Brien.” Pilobolus performances are characterized by a strong element of physical interaction between the bodies of the performers and exaggerations or contortions of the human form, requiring extreme strength, flexibility, and athleticism. Pilobolus recently performed at the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts. “Throughout the program the costumes were perfect, the music swelling and the dancers absolutely awe-inspiring. Each element of the show had clearly been tended to with the utmost attention,” raves Washington Square News. Pilobolus will begin its US tour of “Shadowland” in January.
Thursday, December 8th (2016)
Octavia Spencer (Actress – “Hidden Figures”)
Octavia Spencer is an American actress and author. She is best known for her role as Minny Jackson in the 2011 film “The Help,” for which she won the BAFTA, Golden Globe, SAG, Critics’ Choice, and Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Her other film credits include “The Divergent Series: Insurgent,” “Zootopia,” and “Fruitvale Station.” Spencer now stars in the upcoming biological drama “Hidden Figures,” which recounts the story of the African-American mathematician Katherine Johnson and her two colleagues, Dorothy Vaughan (Spencer) and Mary Jackson, who, while working in the segregated West Area Computers division of Langley Research Center, helped NASA catch up in the Space Race. Using their calculations, John Glenn became the first American astronaut to make a complete orbit of the Earth. Critic reviews for this film are not yet available. “Hidden Figures” opens in theaters on Christmas Day.
Travis Scott (Album – “Birds In The Trap Sing McKnight”)
Jacques Webster, known professionally as Travis Scott, is an American Trap recording artist and record producer. Trap music is a subgenre that originated during the 1990s from Southern hip hop. “Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight” is his second studio album. “‘Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight’ escapes as Travis Scott’s best work yet: a combination of elevated significance, self-awareness, and the old trick of spinning something so plain into something so luxurious,” raves Pitchfork. And XXL proclaims, “‘Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight’ is a roller coaster ride of an experience, with an endless amount of highlights, whether it be an indelible hook here or timely guest verse there.” “Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight” is available now.
Friday, December 9th (2016)
Olivia Munn (Actress – “Office Christmas Party”)
Olivia Munn is an American actress and model whose film credits include “Date Night,” “Mortdecai,” and “X-Men: Apocalypse.” She was a correspondent on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” from 2010 to 2011 and played Sloan Sabbith on the HBO television series “The Newsroom.” Munn now stars in the upcoming comedy “Office Christmas Party.” When the CEO (Jennifer Aniston) tries to close her hard-partying brother’s (T.J. Miller) branch, he and his chief technical officer (Jason Bateman) must rally their co-workers and host an epic office Christmas party in an effort to impress a potential client and close a sale that will save their jobs. Critic reviews for this film are not yet available. “Office Christmas Party” opens in theaters on December 9th.
Martin Freeman (Actor – “Sherlock”)
Martin Freeman is an English actor who is best known for portraying Tim Canterbury on the original UK version of the sitcom mockumentary “The Office,” Dr. John Watson on the British crime drama “Sherlock,” Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson’s “The Hobbit” film trilogy, and Lester Nygaard on the dark comedy-crime drama TV series “Fargo.” After a three year hiatus “Sherlock” will return for a forth series and Freeman will reprise his role as Dr. Watson. “The appeal is elementary: good, unpretentious fun,” writes The New York Times. And The Independent (London) declares, “What an exhilarating return.” Series four of “Sherlock” premieres January 1st on BBC One in the UK and on PBS in the US.
Tom Papa (Stand-Up – “Tom Papa: Human Mule”)
Tom Papa is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, producer, and television and radio host. He appeared in the films “Behind the Candelabra” and “The Informant!” and his TV appearances include “Inside Amy Schumer” and “The Jim Gaffigan Show.” Papa is the host of the weekly podcast “Come to Papa” where he explores the funny side of life with the legends of comedy, film, and all around cool people. Some of his guests have included Mel Brooks, Jerry Seinfeld, Rob Zombie, Mario Batali, and a host of rising stars and proven veterans. In his third stand-up special, “Tom Papa: Human Mule,” he talks about fatherhood, the challenges of everyday life, and what it’s like being an American today. “Tom Papa: Human Mule” premieres December 9th on Epix.