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 to kick off another week of exciting shows! The White House Correspondents Dinner took place on Saturday with a very funny speech by President Obama and a controversially hilarious speech by Larry Wilmore, reminiscent of another certain comedian’s speech in 2006. Tuesday is the Indiana Primary and the projected winners are Clinton for the Democrats and Trump for the Republicans. Another Trump victory – spooky stuff!
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!
Monday, May 2nd (2016)
Bill O’Reilly (Producer – “Legends & Lies: The Patriots”)
Bill O’Reilly is an American television host, author, historian, journalist, syndicated columnist, and a political commentator often referred to as “Papa Bear” on The Colbert Report. He is the host of the political commentary program The O’Reilly Factor on the Fox News Channel. O’Reilly is the executive producer of the Fox News original docu-series Legends & Lies: The Patriots. The hour long episodes will look at historical events and figures tied to the American Revolution and the founding of The United States. Legends & Lies: The Patriots will debut on June 5th at 8:00pm EST.
Morris Chestnut (Actor – “Rosewood”)
Morris Chestnut is an American actor who currently stars in the Fox TV series, Rosewood. He is also known for his roles in the films Boyz n the Hood, The Best Man, and Think Like a Man. In Rosewood, Chestnut plays a private high-level pathologist named Dr. Beaumont Rosewood Jr., who works in Miami, Florida, assisting local law enforcement’s murder investigations. Rosewood is currently in its first season and has been renewed for a second season. The Baltimore Sun says, “This is a series that works on multiple levels as it explores a winning model of a multicultural community.” And TV Fanatic states, “With a diverse cast and seasoned actors, Rosewood has the potential to be a great show, but it’s missing that wow factor.” Rosewood airs Wednesdays at 8:00pm EST on Fox.
Deerhunter (Album – “Fading Frontier”)
Deerhunter is an American indie rock band from Atlanta, Georgia, formed in 2001. The band consists of Bradford Cox, Moses Archuleta, Lockett Pundt and Josh McKay. Fading Frontier is their seventh studio album. “While Deerhunter’s created a number of indelible songs over their career, Fading Frontier may have their first that could conceivably blend into real-deal classic rock radio,” states Pitchfork. And Consequence of Sound says, “Fading Frontier proves Deerhunter still has quite a bit of creative juice left in the tank with their daring sonic palette.” Deerhunter recently performed at Webster Hall in NYC and has upcoming shows in Spain, Portugal, the UK, and Japan.
Tuesday, May 3rd (2016)
Dakota Johnson (Actress – “A Bigger Splash”)
Dakota Johnson is an American actress and model who has appeared in films such as The Social Network and How to Be Single. She received international recognition in 2015 after landing the lead role in the romantic drama Fifty Shades of Grey. Johnson’s latest film, A Bigger Splash, is about a rock star (Tilda Swinton) vacationing on a Sicilian island with her boyfriend (Matthias Schoenaerts) who receives an unexpected visit from an old flame (Ralph Fiennes) and his seductive daughter, played by Johnson. The Age (Australia) says, “An arresting film with a quartet of terrific performances, led by Fiennes. Guadagnino’s English-language debut is essential viewing. Dive in.” And ABC Radio Australia states, “A sun-kissed vine of a film, whose plot (which is really incredibly slight) is entirely subservient to its presentation, on an antipasto platter, of four excellent performances.” A Bigger Splash opens in US theaters on May 4th.
Sebastian Stan (Actor – “Captain America: Civil War”)
Sebastian Stan is a Romanian American actor, known for his role as Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He also appeared in Black Swan, Rachel Getting Married, and The Martian. Stan reprises his role as Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier in his latest film Captain America: Civil War, which finds Steve Rogers leading the newly formed team of Avengers in their continued efforts to safeguard humanity. “There are lots of other laugh-out-loud moments: self-aware, comic book-aware ones for Marvel fans and straight-out ones for non-expert viewers,” says The Australian. And The Daily Star raves, “A near-perfect blend of humour, drama and action.” Captain America: Civil War opens in North American theaters on May 6th.
Lukas Nelson + Promise of the Real (Album – “Earth”)
Lukas Nelson + Promise of the Real – sometimes referred to as POTR – is an American rock group based in California. The band consists of Lukas and Micah Nelson, Anthony Logerfo, Corey McCormick, and Tato Melgar. Lukas and Micah are the sons of Willie Nelson. Their upcoming album, Earth, is a 98-minute uninterrupted work that features 11 songs from their 2015 tour with Neil Young mixed with sounds of the Earth. “One of the single greatest audio experiences I’ve ever had,” guitarist Lukas Nelson wrote about the album on Instagram. Earth will be released on June 10th and is available for pre-order. Promise of the Real are currently on tour with Neil Young.
Wednesday, May 4th (2016)
Anthony Mackie (Actor – “Captain America: Civil War” and “All The Way”)
Anthony Mackie is an American actor of stage and screen. His films include 8 Mile, We Are Marshall, and The Hurt Locker. Mackie is also know for his role as Sam Wilson/Falcon in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which he will reprise in Captain America: Civil War, opening in North American theaters on May 6th. The Times UK raves, “Are you #TeamCap or #TeamIronMan? If this question makes any sense to you then Captain America: Civil War and its superb action sequences will bring you untold joy.” Mackie will star as Martin Luther King, Jr. in the HBO movie All The Way, based on the Tony Award winning Broadway play of the same name. The film follows Lyndon B. Johnson (played by Bryan Cranston) as he assumes the office of the U.S. Presidency after the John F. Kennedy assassination. Upon his arrival in the White House, he must work on the passage of the Civil Rights Act. All The Way premieres on May 21st at 8:00pm EST on HBO.
Rob Reiner (Director and Producer – “Being Charlie”)
Rob Reiner is an American actor, writer, director, producer, and activist. As an actor, Reiner first came to national prominence with the role of Michael Stivic on All in the Family. He has directed hit films including This Is Spinal Tap, Stand By Me, The Princess Bride, and When Harry Met Sally. On May 1st Reiner took part in the Montclair Film Festival with “In Conversation with Rob Reiner Moderated by Stephen Colbert.” Reiner’s latest film, which he directed and produced, is Being Charlie. The film tells the story of an 18-year-old boy who runs away from rehab – again – while his father, a former film star, runs for governor of California. Reiner’s son, Nick Reiner co-wrote the screenplay. Variety states, “A film that generally succeeds in spite of its formulaic underpinnings and loose ends.” And Screen International says, “It’s not glib, and the screenplay has clearly been worked on, but Being Charlie lacks real gravitas as it skirts around the troubled lives of the California elite.” Being Charlie opens in theaters on May 6th.
Maxwell (Single – “Lake By the Ocean”)
Maxwell is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actor. His fifth studio album is blackSUMMERS’night, the second installment in a musical trilogy, following 2009’s BLACKsummers’night. On April 7th, Maxwell released “Lake By the Ocean,” his first single from the upcoming album. He announced via Twitter that he will perform “Lake By the Ocean” on The Late Show. Rolling Stone praised the song saying, “He explores the full range of his voice through layered harmonies, slipping into a sweet falsetto on the bridge.” blackSUMMERS’night will be released on July 1st.
Thursday, May 5th (2016)
Judith Sheindlin (Judge – “Judge Judy”)
Judith Sheindlin or Judge Judy, is an American lawyer, former judge, television personality, producer, and author. Since 1996, Sheindlin has presided over her own successful Daytime Emmy Award winning reality courtroom series, Judge Judy. Each episode finds Judge Judy presiding over real small-claims cases inside a televised courtroom. Her no-nonsense, wisecracking approach has been unsuccessfully copied by other TV court judges. The New York Times wrote, “The Queen of Daytime? Judge Judy by a mile,” and a 2013 Readerʼs Digest Survey placed Judge Sheindlin among the “100 Most Trusted Americans.” Judge Judy is currently in its 20th season is distributed by CBS Television Distribution.
Zac Posen (Fashion Designer)
[Just Announced]
W. Kamau Bell (Host – “United Shades of America”)
W. Kamau Bell is an American stand-up comic. Prominent within the San Francisco stand-up comedy scene, he is best known as the host of the former FXX television series Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell. Bell is currently the host of the CNN documentary television series, United Shades of America, which premiered on April 24th. The show is an eight-part series that follows Bell as he explores communities across the United States and uses comedy to start conversations about race and how our differences unite and divide us. In the provocative first episode, which ranked #1 in cable news, Bell met the “newʼ” Ku Klux Klan. In the second episode, Bell went inside the notorious San Quentin prison to hear the stories of inmates serving life sentences. “Sometimes, in the style of the correspondents on The Daily Show, Mr. Bell responds to such stuff with deadpan satire that seems to go over the head of the interview subject,” says The New York Times. And Variety states, “Given that Bellʼs FX/FXX talk show didnʼt quite take off, despite his ample talents, itʼs good to see that he has rebounded with a laudable series that appears to cater to his many strengths as a writer, engaging improviser and thinker.” United Shades of America airs Sundays at 10pm ET/PT on CNN.
Friday, May 6th (2016)
Lily Tomlin (Actress – “Grace and Frankie”)
[Just Announced]
Kumail Nanjiani (Actor – “Silicon Valley”)
[Just Announced]
Ryan Hamilton (Stand-Up Comedian)
[Just Announced]
Better Know a Guest – May 2 – May 6, 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 to kick off another week of exciting shows! The White House Correspondents Dinner took place on Saturday with a very funny speech by President Obama and a controversially hilarious speech by Larry Wilmore, reminiscent of another certain comedian’s speech in 2006. Tuesday is the Indiana Primary and the projected winners are Clinton for the Democrats and Trump for the Republicans. Another Trump victory – spooky stuff!
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!
Monday, May 2nd (2016)
Bill O’Reilly (Producer – “Legends & Lies: The Patriots”)
Bill O’Reilly is an American television host, author, historian, journalist, syndicated columnist, and a political commentator often referred to as “Papa Bear” on The Colbert Report. He is the host of the political commentary program The O’Reilly Factor on the Fox News Channel. O’Reilly is the executive producer of the Fox News original docu-series Legends & Lies: The Patriots. The hour long episodes will look at historical events and figures tied to the American Revolution and the founding of The United States. Legends & Lies: The Patriots will debut on June 5th at 8:00pm EST.
Morris Chestnut (Actor – “Rosewood”)
Morris Chestnut is an American actor who currently stars in the Fox TV series, Rosewood. He is also known for his roles in the films Boyz n the Hood, The Best Man, and Think Like a Man. In Rosewood, Chestnut plays a private high-level pathologist named Dr. Beaumont Rosewood Jr., who works in Miami, Florida, assisting local law enforcement’s murder investigations. Rosewood is currently in its first season and has been renewed for a second season. The Baltimore Sun says, “This is a series that works on multiple levels as it explores a winning model of a multicultural community.” And TV Fanatic states, “With a diverse cast and seasoned actors, Rosewood has the potential to be a great show, but it’s missing that wow factor.” Rosewood airs Wednesdays at 8:00pm EST on Fox.
Deerhunter (Album – “Fading Frontier”)
Deerhunter is an American indie rock band from Atlanta, Georgia, formed in 2001. The band consists of Bradford Cox, Moses Archuleta, Lockett Pundt and Josh McKay. Fading Frontier is their seventh studio album. “While Deerhunter’s created a number of indelible songs over their career, Fading Frontier may have their first that could conceivably blend into real-deal classic rock radio,” states Pitchfork. And Consequence of Sound says, “Fading Frontier proves Deerhunter still has quite a bit of creative juice left in the tank with their daring sonic palette.” Deerhunter recently performed at Webster Hall in NYC and has upcoming shows in Spain, Portugal, the UK, and Japan.
Tuesday, May 3rd (2016)
Dakota Johnson (Actress – “A Bigger Splash”)
Dakota Johnson is an American actress and model who has appeared in films such as The Social Network and How to Be Single. She received international recognition in 2015 after landing the lead role in the romantic drama Fifty Shades of Grey. Johnson’s latest film, A Bigger Splash, is about a rock star (Tilda Swinton) vacationing on a Sicilian island with her boyfriend (Matthias Schoenaerts) who receives an unexpected visit from an old flame (Ralph Fiennes) and his seductive daughter, played by Johnson. The Age (Australia) says, “An arresting film with a quartet of terrific performances, led by Fiennes. Guadagnino’s English-language debut is essential viewing. Dive in.” And ABC Radio Australia states, “A sun-kissed vine of a film, whose plot (which is really incredibly slight) is entirely subservient to its presentation, on an antipasto platter, of four excellent performances.” A Bigger Splash opens in US theaters on May 4th.
Sebastian Stan (Actor – “Captain America: Civil War”)
Sebastian Stan is a Romanian American actor, known for his role as Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He also appeared in Black Swan, Rachel Getting Married, and The Martian. Stan reprises his role as Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier in his latest film Captain America: Civil War, which finds Steve Rogers leading the newly formed team of Avengers in their continued efforts to safeguard humanity. “There are lots of other laugh-out-loud moments: self-aware, comic book-aware ones for Marvel fans and straight-out ones for non-expert viewers,” says The Australian. And The Daily Star raves, “A near-perfect blend of humour, drama and action.” Captain America: Civil War opens in North American theaters on May 6th.
Lukas Nelson + Promise of the Real (Album – “Earth”)
Lukas Nelson + Promise of the Real – sometimes referred to as POTR – is an American rock group based in California. The band consists of Lukas and Micah Nelson, Anthony Logerfo, Corey McCormick, and Tato Melgar. Lukas and Micah are the sons of Willie Nelson. Their upcoming album, Earth, is a 98-minute uninterrupted work that features 11 songs from their 2015 tour with Neil Young mixed with sounds of the Earth. “One of the single greatest audio experiences I’ve ever had,” guitarist Lukas Nelson wrote about the album on Instagram. Earth will be released on June 10th and is available for pre-order. Promise of the Real are currently on tour with Neil Young.
Wednesday, May 4th (2016)
Anthony Mackie (Actor – “Captain America: Civil War” and “All The Way”)
Anthony Mackie is an American actor of stage and screen. His films include 8 Mile, We Are Marshall, and The Hurt Locker. Mackie is also know for his role as Sam Wilson/Falcon in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which he will reprise in Captain America: Civil War, opening in North American theaters on May 6th. The Times UK raves, “Are you #TeamCap or #TeamIronMan? If this question makes any sense to you then Captain America: Civil War and its superb action sequences will bring you untold joy.” Mackie will star as Martin Luther King, Jr. in the HBO movie All The Way, based on the Tony Award winning Broadway play of the same name. The film follows Lyndon B. Johnson (played by Bryan Cranston) as he assumes the office of the U.S. Presidency after the John F. Kennedy assassination. Upon his arrival in the White House, he must work on the passage of the Civil Rights Act. All The Way premieres on May 21st at 8:00pm EST on HBO.
Rob Reiner (Director and Producer – “Being Charlie”)
Rob Reiner is an American actor, writer, director, producer, and activist. As an actor, Reiner first came to national prominence with the role of Michael Stivic on All in the Family. He has directed hit films including This Is Spinal Tap, Stand By Me, The Princess Bride, and When Harry Met Sally. On May 1st Reiner took part in the Montclair Film Festival with “In Conversation with Rob Reiner Moderated by Stephen Colbert.” Reiner’s latest film, which he directed and produced, is Being Charlie. The film tells the story of an 18-year-old boy who runs away from rehab – again – while his father, a former film star, runs for governor of California. Reiner’s son, Nick Reiner co-wrote the screenplay. Variety states, “A film that generally succeeds in spite of its formulaic underpinnings and loose ends.” And Screen International says, “It’s not glib, and the screenplay has clearly been worked on, but Being Charlie lacks real gravitas as it skirts around the troubled lives of the California elite.” Being Charlie opens in theaters on May 6th.
Maxwell (Single – “Lake By the Ocean”)
Maxwell is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actor. His fifth studio album is blackSUMMERS’night, the second installment in a musical trilogy, following 2009’s BLACKsummers’night. On April 7th, Maxwell released “Lake By the Ocean,” his first single from the upcoming album. He announced via Twitter that he will perform “Lake By the Ocean” on The Late Show. Rolling Stone praised the song saying, “He explores the full range of his voice through layered harmonies, slipping into a sweet falsetto on the bridge.” blackSUMMERS’night will be released on July 1st.
Thursday, May 5th (2016)
Judith Sheindlin (Judge – “Judge Judy”)
Judith Sheindlin or Judge Judy, is an American lawyer, former judge, television personality, producer, and author. Since 1996, Sheindlin has presided over her own successful Daytime Emmy Award winning reality courtroom series, Judge Judy. Each episode finds Judge Judy presiding over real small-claims cases inside a televised courtroom. Her no-nonsense, wisecracking approach has been unsuccessfully copied by other TV court judges. The New York Times wrote, “The Queen of Daytime? Judge Judy by a mile,” and a 2013 Readerʼs Digest Survey placed Judge Sheindlin among the “100 Most Trusted Americans.” Judge Judy is currently in its 20th season is distributed by CBS Television Distribution.
Zac Posen (Fashion Designer)
[Just Announced]
W. Kamau Bell (Host – “United Shades of America”)
W. Kamau Bell is an American stand-up comic. Prominent within the San Francisco stand-up comedy scene, he is best known as the host of the former FXX television series Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell. Bell is currently the host of the CNN documentary television series, United Shades of America, which premiered on April 24th. The show is an eight-part series that follows Bell as he explores communities across the United States and uses comedy to start conversations about race and how our differences unite and divide us. In the provocative first episode, which ranked #1 in cable news, Bell met the “newʼ” Ku Klux Klan. In the second episode, Bell went inside the notorious San Quentin prison to hear the stories of inmates serving life sentences. “Sometimes, in the style of the correspondents on The Daily Show, Mr. Bell responds to such stuff with deadpan satire that seems to go over the head of the interview subject,” says The New York Times. And Variety states, “Given that Bellʼs FX/FXX talk show didnʼt quite take off, despite his ample talents, itʼs good to see that he has rebounded with a laudable series that appears to cater to his many strengths as a writer, engaging improviser and thinker.” United Shades of America airs Sundays at 10pm ET/PT on CNN.
Friday, May 6th (2016)
Lily Tomlin (Actress – “Grace and Frankie”)
[Just Announced]
Kumail Nanjiani (Actor – “Silicon Valley”)
[Just Announced]
Ryan Hamilton (Stand-Up Comedian)
[Just Announced]