Better Know a Guest – June 20 – June 24, 2016

better-know-a-guest-the-late-show-3983406Welcome 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.

Welcome back, Hubsters. I hope you enjoyed your weekend! It is time to kick off a new week of exciting shows! 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: “Star Trek” actor Anton Yelchin sadly passed away at the age of 27. There has been an outpouring of love from his fellow actors and his fans. Our thoughts go out to Anton and his loved ones. Donald Trump appeared on “Face the Nation” and declared that the United States should think about racial profiling. “Well, I think profiling is something that we’re going to have to start thinking about as a country,” Trump said, adding, “It’s not the worst thing to do.” He is the bigot that keeps on bigoting. Sunday night is game seven of the NBA finals. Steph Curry and the Warriors face off with LeBron James and the Cavaliers. This is the big one that all basketball fans have been waiting for!

Monday, June 20th (2016)
Alexander Skarsgård (Actor – “The Legend of Tarzan”)

Alexander Skarsgård is a Swedish actor best known for his roles as vampire Eric Northman on the HBO series “True Blood,” Meekus in “Zoolander,” and Brad Colbert in the HBO miniseries “Generation Kill.” Skarsgård will play the title role in the upcoming film “The Legend of Tarzan.” Many years after he left Africa behind, Tarzan returns to the Congo to serve as a trade emissary, unaware that he is actually a pawn in a Belgian captain’s – played by Christoph Waltz – deadly plot. Critic reviews for the film are not yet available. “The Legend of Tarzan” opens in theaters on July 1st.

Natasha Leggero (Actress – “Another Period”)

Natasha Leggero is an American actress and comedian who has appeared on multiple Comedy Central stand-up programs and late night talk shows, and has performed at such festivals as SXSW, Bonnaroo, the Sasquatch Music Festival, and the Montreal Comedy Festival. She currently stars in the comedy series “Another Period,” a spoof on reality shows like “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” while in terms of era, roughly contemporaneous to “Downton Abbey” and satirizing many of the same themes of class and social standing. Leggero plays Lillian, the second eldest daughter of the wealthy Bellacourt family. “Sharply conceived satire can sometimes accomplish what outrage and disgust cannot, sending some of this junk back in the direction from whence it flows,” writes The Washington Post. And Entertainment Weekly reports, “While ‘Another Period’ sometimes leans too heavily on ‘It’s 1902!’ gags, it’s buoyed by an absurdist sensibility, genuinely surprising jokes, and a strong cast.” “Another Period” airs Wednesdays at 10:00PM ET on Comedy Central.

Ziggy Marley (Album – “Ziggy Marley”)

Ziggy Marley is a Jamaican reggae musician and seven-time Grammy Award winner who is the leader of the band, Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers. He is the son of reggae icon Bob Marley. His sixth solo self-titled studio album is rooted in and inspired by current world events, racial divides, and human inequalities. “This is an appropriately self-tilted effort. It is an on-the-record accumulation of intrepid and unfiltered thoughts and opinions, advice and concerns, optimism and urgency, life and love,” writes Reggae Ville. And The Guardian states, “…it’s another album of lilting tunes and messages of love and togetherness.” “Ziggy Marley” is available now.

Tuesday, June 21st (2016)
Aubrey Plaza (Actress – “Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates”)

Aubrey Plaza is an American actress and comedian best known for portraying April Ludgate on “Parks and Recreation.” After appearing in supporting roles in several films, she had her first leading role in the 2012 comedy “Safety Not Guaranteed.” Plaza’s latest movie is the upcoming romantic adventure comedy “Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates.” Two wild and uncontrollable women – Plaza and Anna Kendrick – answer an online ad to accompany two hard-partying brothers – Zac Efron and Adam Devine – to their sister’s wedding in Hawaii. Critic reviews for the film are not yet available. “Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates” opens in theaters on July 8th.

Hugh Dancy (Actor – “The Path”)

Hugh Dancy is an English actor and model who is best known for his roles as Will Graham in the television series “Hannibal” and as Prince Charmont in the film “Ella Enchanted.” He currently stars in the American television drama series “The Path,” which portrays members of a fictional religion known as Meyerism. Dancy plays Cal Roberts, the charismatic unofficial leader of The Meyerist Movement. “[‘The Path’] is an expertly constructed, beautifully shot and impeccably acted piece of television worthy of the hype Hulu has helped build around it,” raves IndieWIRE. And Collider proclaims, “While skepticism may rule at the start, it doesn’t take long for the show to make one a believer in its own story, and in the power of its exceptional performances.” “The Path” is now streaming on Hulu.

Andrew Zimmern (Host -“Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern”)

Andrew Zimmern is a three-time James Beard Award-winning TV personality, chef, writer, and teacher. He is universally regarded as one of the most versatile and knowledgeable personalities in the food world. Zimmern is the creator, executive producer, and host of the “Bizarre Foods” franchise, consisting of four shows on the Travel Channel. In 2012, he launched Andrew Zimmern’s Canteen, reflecting his fascination with food history from around the world. On “Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern,” he traverses the world in pursuit of unusual regional delicacies and startling native “delights.” Season eight of “Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern” premieres June 21st at 9:00PM ET on the Travel Channel.

Wednesday, June 22nd (2016)
Uzo Aduba (Actress – “Orange Is the New Black”)

Uzo Aduba is an American actress and singer who is known for her role as Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren on the television series “Orange Is the New Black,” for which she has won two Primetime Emmy Awards. Aduba once again reprises her role as Crazy Eyes for the forth season of “Orange Is the New Black.” “Season 4 feels more like a drama than ever, and that’s not a bad thing. ‘Orange Is the New Black’ has introduced a multitude of characters we don’t usually see on television and given them complicated and intimate relationships that speak volumes about issues not contained to prison’s impenetrable walls,” proclaims The Washington Post. And The AV Club writes, “Once the show establishes its new rhythm, one in which it’s impossible to guess who or what the next scene will consist of, ‘Orange’ is thrillingly off-kilter.” Season four of “Orange Is the New Black” is now streaming on Nexflix.

Neil deGrasse Tyson (Voice Actor – “Ice Age: Collision Course”)

Neil deGrasse Tyson is an astrophysicist, cosmologist, author, and science communicator who is the Director of the Hayden Planetarium at the Rose Center for Earth and Space in New York City. He was a regular guest on “The Colbert Report” and has made appearances on numerous other late night talk shows and news programs. Tyson hosted the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning show “Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey” on PBS and StarTalk on NatGeo. He will lend his voice to the upcoming 3D computer animated family adventure, “Ice Age: Collision Course,” the fifth installment of the “Ice Age” film series. Tyson will voice the character of Neil deBuck Weasel, a weasel astronomer who travels along with The Herd to stop an asteroid/meteor shower. “The whole look and feel of the Ice Age here is more complicated than itʼs been: a symbiotic dialogue between woodland and snow, with hidden pockets of splendor,” writes Variety. “Ice Age: Collision Course” opens in theaters on July 22nd.

Adia Victoria (Album – “Beyond The Bloodhounds”)

Adia Victoria is an American singer and songwriter known for her “gothic country music.” In addition to playing and writing music, she is also writes poetry. Victoria’s debut album is “Beyond The Bloodhounds.” “…And yet for all its troubles, the South remains both her home and her muse, and these eerie gothic blues make for one very enchanting debut,” writes AllMusic. And Pitchfork proclaims, “‘Beyond the Bloodhounds’ isn’t a blues record per se, but in the grand tradition of the blues, it creates space to look your demons in the eye and acknowledge their foul existence without necessarily doing much about them.” “Beyond The Bloodhounds” is available now.

Thursday, June 23rd (2016)
Senator Bernie Sanders (Democratic Presidential Candidate)

Bernie Sanders is a Senator from Vermont who announced his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination on April 30, 2015 and won 23 state primary contests in the 2016 election. On Wednesday, Sanders was interviewed by Steve Scully on C- SPAN and acknowledged that he will not likely be the Democratic nominee for president. When Scully asked if he would speak at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Sanders answered, “It doesnʼt appear that Iʼm going to be the nominee, so Iʼm not going to determine the scope of the convention.” Sanders added, “I’ve given a few speeches in my life. It would be nice to speak at the Democratic National Convention. If for whatever reason they don’t want me to speak, then whatever. But I do think I’ll speak at the convention.” His statements were closest he has come to conceding the primary race. Sanders also talked about the presumptive Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton. “We are negotiating almost every day with the Clinton people and we want Secretary Clinton to stake out the strongest positions she can on campaign finance reform, on health care, on education — especially higher education — on the economy, on the minimum wage,” said Sanders. “She has clearly had to fight her way through a lot of sexism and unfair attacks over the years — which are based on sexism. But we have disagreements. She is clearly an establishment Democrat.” Sanders is expected to give a speech on Thursday in New York which will address “where we go from here.” Aides to Sanders said it will not include a concession.

Paul Dano (Actor – “Swiss Army Man”)

Paul Dano is an American actor, producer, singer, and musician know for such films as “Little Miss Sunshine,” “There Will Be Blood,” and “12 Years a Slave.” In his latest film, “Swiss Army Man,” Dano plays Hank, a man marooned on an island and at the verge of suicide, who sees a corpse – played by Daniel Radcliffe – wash up on the beach and engages in a surreal friendship with it. Hank soon finds that his new friend, whom he names Manny, has the ability to talk and possesses many unusual supernatural powers. “Frenzied, kinetic filmmaking is hit or miss, but The Daniels are showcasing their talents as opposed to showing off,” states Consequence of Sound. And Variety writes, “At times deliriously dynamic, at others patience-grating in the extreme, the constantly inventive film fires off ideas that are as exhilarating as anything American audiences will see all year, only to lag in long swells on either side.” “Swiss Army Man” opens in theaters on June 24th.

Rascal Flatts (Tour – “Rhythm and Roots”)

Rascal Flatts is an American music group formed in Columbus, Ohio in 1999. The band is composed of Gary LeVox and second cousins Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney. They are the most awarded Country group of the past decade. Rascal Flatts recently kicked off their “Rhythm and Roots Tour,” which features two-time ACM nominee Kelsea Ballerini and up-and-comer Chris Lane and will feature songs from their latest album “Rewind”. The “Rhythm and Roots Tour” began on June 17th in Charlotte, North Carolina and will end on September 17th in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Friday, June 24th (2016)
Kevin Hart (Actor – “Central Intelligence”)

Kevin Hart is an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer who has stared in such films as “Think Like a Man,” “Ride Along,” and “Get Hard.” In his latest film, “Central Intelligence,” Hart plays accountant Calvin Joyner, who teams up to save the world with his old high school friend – played by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson – who is now in the CIA. “‘Central Intelligence’ is genuinely funny, intriguingly plotted, and quite frankly one of the biggest surprises of the year,” proclaims Consequence of Sound. And The Washington Post writes, “Central Intelligence won’t win any points for originality, but that doesn’t make it any less funny.” “Central Intelligence” is now playing in theaters.

Taylor Schilling (Actress – “Orange Is the New Black”)

Taylor Schilling is an American actress best known for portraying Piper Chapman on the Netflix original series “Orange Is the New Black.” Schilling once again reprises her role as Piper for the forth season of “Orange Is the New Black.” “Season 4 feels more like a drama than ever, and that’s not a bad thing. ‘Orange Is the New Black’ has introduced a multitude of characters we don’t usually see on television and given them complicated and intimate relationships that speak volumes about issues not contained to prison’s impenetrable walls,” proclaims The Washington Post. And The AV Club writes, “Once the show establishes its new rhythm, one in which it’s impossible to guess who or what the next scene will consist of, ‘Orange’ is thrillingly off-kilter.” Season four of “Orange Is the New Black” is now streaming on Nexflix.

RuPaul (Host – “Skin Wars: Fresh Paint”)

RuPaul is an American actor, drag queen, model, author, television personality, and recording artist. He is the executive producer of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” a permanent judge on “Skin Wars” on GSN, and host of “Fresh Paint” on GSN, “Good Work” on E!, and “Gay For Play” on Logo. RuPaul’s newest show, “Skin Wars: Fresh Paint,” is a body painting competition featuring artists who are accomplished in their respective fields but who have never body painted before. Contestants compete to win the $10,000 prize at the end of each show. “Skin Wars: Fresh Paint” airs Wednesdays at 10:00PM ET on GSN.