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 that time again, Hubsters! An exciting new week of shows is upon us. In recent news, Oklahoma lawmakers are calling for the impeachment of President Obama after the POTUS issued a federal directive to public schools that allows students to use the bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity. Oklahoma, your bigotry is showing. A big congratulations goes out to Jon Stewart and David Letterman who were just honored with Peabody Awards! Let’s get this party started and check out who Stephen has 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!
Monday, May 23rd (2016)
Emilia Clarke (Actress – “Me Before You”)
Emilia Clarke is an English actress best known for her role as Daenerys Targaryen in the HBO series “Game of Thrones,” for which she received two Emmy Award nominations. Clarke now stars in the film “Me Before You.” Adapted from the bestselling novel by Jo Jo Moyes, “Me Before You” tells the story of the unexpected relationship that blossoms between a contented small town Englishwoman, played by Clarke, and the wealthy, paralyzed Londoner who hires her as his caretaker. Critic reviews are not yet available. “Me Before You” opens in theaters on June 3rd.
Shiri Appleby (Actress – “UnREAL”)
Shiri Appleby is an American actress known for her leading role as Liz Parker in the television series “Roswell.” Her film credits include “A Time for Dancing,” “Swimfan,” and “Charlie Wilson’s War.” Appleby currently stars in the American dark comedy/drama television series, “UnREAL,” as a young reality television producer pushed by her unscrupulous boss to swallow her integrity and do anything it takes to drum up salacious show content. “Starring Shiri Appleby, charismatic even when deeply rumpled and grouchy … ‘UnREAL’ skewers everything from the false romance promised by such shows to the brutal schedules of every Hollywood production,” raves Vanity Fair. And The Independent (UK) says, “‘UnREAL’ is a show for people who hate the inhumanity of reality television and yet still find themselves drawn to it. It’s sharply critical of the old tricks, yet not above using some of them to entertain.” “UnREAL” just received a Peabody Award on Saturday. Season two of “UnREAL” premieres June 6th at 10:00PM ET on Lifetime.
Cynthia Erivo (Actress/Singer – “The Color Purple”)
Cynthia Erivo is a British singer-songwriter and theater actress, currently starring as Celie in the Broadway production of “The Color Purple.” The Guardian raves, “Cynthia Erivo gives a career-defining performance as Celie!” For her performance, Erivo has won an Outer Critics Circle Award and a Theatre World Award. She is nominated for a Drama Desk Award and nominated for a Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical. The 2016 Tony Awards air June 12th at 8:00PM ET on CBS. “The Color Purple” is now playing at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre.
Tuesday, May 24th (2016)
Sean Hayes (Actor – “An Act of God”)
Sean Hayes is an American actor, comedian, and producer. He is best known for his role as Jack McFarland on the NBC sitcom “Will & Grace,” for which he won an Emmy Award and four SAG Awards. Hayes will play God in a limited 14-week engagement of the hit Broadway comedy written by David Javerbaum, “An Act of God.” The New York Times raves, “Deliriously funny! It’s Jon Stewart plus Stephen Colbert funny.” And the Los Angeles Times says, “Sean Hayes is the funniest guy in heaven (and earth)!” Previews for “An Act of God” begin on May 28th at The Booth Theater. The play opens on June 6th and will run through September 4th.
Brooklyn Decker (Actress – “Casual Encounters”)
Brooklyn Decker is an American fashion model and actress. Her film credits include “Just Go With It,” “Battleship,” and “What to Expect When You’re Expecting.” Decker plays Mallory Hanson on “Frankie and Grace,” with season two currently streaming on Netflix. Decker’s latest film, “Casual Encounters,” tells the story of Justin, whose girlfriend of 5 years leaves him heartbroken and embarrassed after a public breakup. His trying to be helpful but somewhat misguided friends talk him into the strange world of on-line dating. Critic reviews are not yet available. “Casual Encounters” opens in theaters on June 7th.
Lewis Black (Comedian – “The Emperor’s New Clothes: The Naked Truth Tour”)
Lewis Black is an American stand-up comedian, author, playwright, social critic, and actor. He is known for his angry face and his belligerent comedic style, in which he often simulates having a mental breakdown. Black’s comedy routines often escalate into angry rants about history, politics, religion, or any other cultural trends. He hosted the Comedy Central series “Lewis Black’s Root of All Evil,” and made regular appearances on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” and now “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” delivering his “Back in Black” commentary segment. Black is currently performing “The Emperor’s New Clothes: The Naked Truth Tour.”
Wednesday, May 25th (2016)
James McAvoy (Actor – “X-Men: Apocalypse”)
James McAvoy is a Scottish actor whose films include “The Last King of Scotland,” “Starter For 10,” “Becoming Jane,” “Atonement,” and “Filth.” He played the young Professor Charles Xavier in “X-Men: First Class” and “X-Men: Days of Future Past.” McAvoy will again reprise his role for the new film “X-Men: Apocalypse.” With the emergence of the world’s first mutant, Apocalypse, the X-Men must unite to defeat his extinction level plan. “This is turning into the season of superheroes battling other superheroes, but ‘X-Men: Apocalypse’ is the first one, so far, to do it right,” reports the San Francisco Chronicle, And the Village Voice states, “What makes ‘X-Men: Apocalypse’ so exciting isn’t really any one thing but rather its cohesion, its storytelling verve.” “X-Men: Apocalypse” opens in theaters on May 27th.
Nick Swardson (Actor – “The Do-Over”)
Nick Swardson is an American actor, stand-up comedian, screenwriter, and producer. He is best known for his recurring role as Terry Bernadino in the comedy series “Reno 911!,” for his work with Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison Productions, and and for his own personal sketch comedy series “Nick Swardson’s Pretend Time.” Swardson kicked of The Do-Over Comedy Tour on May 19th with Adam Sandler, David Spade, and Rob Schneider. The brief tour will perform shows in seven American cities. The last show coincides with the premiere of the Adam Sandler film, “The Do-Over,” which also stars Swardson. “The Do-Over” will be available to stream on May 27th on Netflix.
Brian Greene (American Theoretical Physicist and String Theorist)
Brian Greene is an American theoretical physicist and string theorist. Greene, a professor of physics and mathematics at Columbia University, has focused on unified theories for more than 25 years, and has written several best-selling and non-technical books on the subject including “The Elegant Universe“, a Pulitzer finalist, and “The Fabric of the Cosmos” – each of which has been adapted into a NOVA mini-series. Greene believes science must be brought to general audiences in new and compelling ways, such as “Icarus at the Edge of Time” – a childrenʼs book that he adapted for film and stage – and the annual World Science Festival, which he co-founded in 2008 with his wife, science journalist Tracy Day.
Thursday, May 26th (2016)
Lizzy Caplan (Actress – “Now You See Me 2”)
Lizzy Caplan is an American actress known for her film roles in “Mean Girls,” “Cloverfield,” “Hot Tub Time Machine,” and “The Interview.” Caplan has also starred in a number of television shows, including “Related,” “The Class,” “True Blood,” “Party Down,” and “Masters of Sex,” for which she received an Emmy Award nomination. Caplan’s upcoming film is “Now You See Me 2.” In this sequel, the illusionists known as the Four Horsemen must perform an unprecedented stunt to clear their names and expose the unethical practices of a tech magnate. Critic reviews are not yet available. “Now You See Me 2” opens in US theaters on June 10th.
Mike Epps (Actor – “Uncle Buck”)
Mike Epps is an American stand-up comedian, actor, film producer, writer, and rapper. Epps’ film credits include “Next Friday,” “All About the Benjamins,” “The Hangover,” and “Bessie.” He will now star as Buck Russell in the upcoming American single-camera comedy television series, “Uncle Buck,” based on the 1989 movie of the same name. Epps plays a childish man who’s learning to be an adult by taking care of his brother’s kids, but in his own fun and silly way. “Uncle Buck” premieres June 14th at 9:00PM ET on ABC.
Neil Young (Album – “EARTH”)
Neil Young is a Canadian singer-songwriter and musician, producer, director, screenwriter, and activist. Young has been in the music business since the 1960s, has won several Grammy Awards, and has been twice inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He collaborated with Promise of the Real on his upcoming album, “EARTH.” “Ninety-eight uninterrupted minutes long, ‘EARTH’ flows as a collection of 13 songs from throughout my life, songs I have written about living here on our planet together,” Young explained in a press release. “Our animal kingdom is well represented in the audience as well, and the animals, insects, birds, and mammals actually take over the performances of the songs at times.” “EARTH” will be released on June 24th and is available for pre-order.
Friday, May 27th (2016)
Rashida Jones (Actress – “Angie Tribeca”)
Rashida Jones is an American actress, comic book author, film producer, singer, and screenwriter. She is known for her roles on “Parks and Recreation,” “Boston Public,” and “The Office.” Jones now stars in “Angie Tribeca,” an American comedy television series created by Steve Carell and Nancy Walls Carell. The series is a satire of police procedural shows. Lone-wolf detective Angie Tribeca, played by Jones, and a squad of committed LAPD detectives investigate the most serious cases, from the murder of a ventriloquist to a rash of baker suicides. “Not since the halcyon days of ‘Airplane!’ and ‘The Naked Gun’ has there been a piece of entertainment this richly, knowingly moronic. Anchored by an inspired deadpan performance from Rashida Jones,” raves The Wrap. And Paste Magazine states, “‘Angie Tribeca’ is stuffed to the gills with visual humor and punnery, some subtle, and some over-the-top.” Season two of “Angie Tribeca” premieres June 6th on TBS.
Daveed Diggs (Actor – “Hamilton”)
Daveed Diggs is an American actor and rapper who is the vocalist of the hip hop group clipping. Diggs originated and is currently playing the roles of both the Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson in the musical “Hamilton,” for which he won a Grammy Award in 2015 and is now nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. “Hamilton” is a musical about the life of American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton with music, lyrics, and book by Lin-Manuel Miranda. For the part, Diggs is required to perform the fastest rap in Broadway history. “A show about young rebels grabbing and shaping the future of an unformed country, ʻHamiltonʼ is making its own resonant history by changing the language of musicals,” raves The New York Times. “Hamilton” is nominated for 16 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. “Hamilton” is now playing on Broadway at The Richard Rodgers Theatre.
Marina Franklin (Comedian/Host – “Friends Like Us” Podcast)
Marina Franklin is an American comedian, writer, and actress known for her stand-up in comedy festivals around the world. She appeared in the film “Trainwreck” and on TV shows such as “Inside Amy Schumer,” “Louie,” “The Jim Gaffigan Show,” and “Chappelleʼs Show.” Franklin hosts the podcast “Friends Like Us,” featuring women of color with very different views on hot topics. “Sheʼs a spark plug who talks about her life and times in the city with great physicality,” raves Time Out New York.
The Struts (Album – “Everybody Wants”)
The Struts are an English rock band from Derby, Derbyshire. The band consists of vocalist Luke Spiller, guitarist Adam Slack, bassist Jed Elliott, and drummer Gethin Davies. “Everybody Wants” is their first studio album. “‘Everybody Wants’ is energetic and enigmatic – and a step on the road to even bigger things,” raves Cultured Vultures. And Stereo Board proclaims, “With flash and flair to burn, British rock ‘n’ rollers the Struts have crafted a joyous debut boasting so much class and confidence it’s like being struck by a sonic lightning bolt.” The Struts kicked off their 2016 tour on May 20th.
Better Know a Guest – May 23 – 27, 2016
It’s that time again, Hubsters! An exciting new week of shows is upon us. In recent news, Oklahoma lawmakers are calling for the impeachment of President Obama after the POTUS issued a federal directive to public schools that allows students to use the bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity. Oklahoma, your bigotry is showing. A big congratulations goes out to Jon Stewart and David Letterman who were just honored with Peabody Awards! Let’s get this party started and check out who Stephen has 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!
Monday, May 23rd (2016)
Emilia Clarke (Actress – “Me Before You”)
Emilia Clarke is an English actress best known for her role as Daenerys Targaryen in the HBO series “Game of Thrones,” for which she received two Emmy Award nominations. Clarke now stars in the film “Me Before You.” Adapted from the bestselling novel by Jo Jo Moyes, “Me Before You” tells the story of the unexpected relationship that blossoms between a contented small town Englishwoman, played by Clarke, and the wealthy, paralyzed Londoner who hires her as his caretaker. Critic reviews are not yet available. “Me Before You” opens in theaters on June 3rd.
Shiri Appleby (Actress – “UnREAL”)
Shiri Appleby is an American actress known for her leading role as Liz Parker in the television series “Roswell.” Her film credits include “A Time for Dancing,” “Swimfan,” and “Charlie Wilson’s War.” Appleby currently stars in the American dark comedy/drama television series, “UnREAL,” as a young reality television producer pushed by her unscrupulous boss to swallow her integrity and do anything it takes to drum up salacious show content. “Starring Shiri Appleby, charismatic even when deeply rumpled and grouchy … ‘UnREAL’ skewers everything from the false romance promised by such shows to the brutal schedules of every Hollywood production,” raves Vanity Fair. And The Independent (UK) says, “‘UnREAL’ is a show for people who hate the inhumanity of reality television and yet still find themselves drawn to it. It’s sharply critical of the old tricks, yet not above using some of them to entertain.” “UnREAL” just received a Peabody Award on Saturday. Season two of “UnREAL” premieres June 6th at 10:00PM ET on Lifetime.
Cynthia Erivo (Actress/Singer – “The Color Purple”)
Cynthia Erivo is a British singer-songwriter and theater actress, currently starring as Celie in the Broadway production of “The Color Purple.” The Guardian raves, “Cynthia Erivo gives a career-defining performance as Celie!” For her performance, Erivo has won an Outer Critics Circle Award and a Theatre World Award. She is nominated for a Drama Desk Award and nominated for a Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical. The 2016 Tony Awards air June 12th at 8:00PM ET on CBS. “The Color Purple” is now playing at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre.
Tuesday, May 24th (2016)
Sean Hayes (Actor – “An Act of God”)
Sean Hayes is an American actor, comedian, and producer. He is best known for his role as Jack McFarland on the NBC sitcom “Will & Grace,” for which he won an Emmy Award and four SAG Awards. Hayes will play God in a limited 14-week engagement of the hit Broadway comedy written by David Javerbaum, “An Act of God.” The New York Times raves, “Deliriously funny! It’s Jon Stewart plus Stephen Colbert funny.” And the Los Angeles Times says, “Sean Hayes is the funniest guy in heaven (and earth)!” Previews for “An Act of God” begin on May 28th at The Booth Theater. The play opens on June 6th and will run through September 4th.
Brooklyn Decker (Actress – “Casual Encounters”)
Brooklyn Decker is an American fashion model and actress. Her film credits include “Just Go With It,” “Battleship,” and “What to Expect When You’re Expecting.” Decker plays Mallory Hanson on “Frankie and Grace,” with season two currently streaming on Netflix. Decker’s latest film, “Casual Encounters,” tells the story of Justin, whose girlfriend of 5 years leaves him heartbroken and embarrassed after a public breakup. His trying to be helpful but somewhat misguided friends talk him into the strange world of on-line dating. Critic reviews are not yet available. “Casual Encounters” opens in theaters on June 7th.
Lewis Black (Comedian – “The Emperor’s New Clothes: The Naked Truth Tour”)
Lewis Black is an American stand-up comedian, author, playwright, social critic, and actor. He is known for his angry face and his belligerent comedic style, in which he often simulates having a mental breakdown. Black’s comedy routines often escalate into angry rants about history, politics, religion, or any other cultural trends. He hosted the Comedy Central series “Lewis Black’s Root of All Evil,” and made regular appearances on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” and now “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” delivering his “Back in Black” commentary segment. Black is currently performing “The Emperor’s New Clothes: The Naked Truth Tour.”
Wednesday, May 25th (2016)
James McAvoy (Actor – “X-Men: Apocalypse”)
James McAvoy is a Scottish actor whose films include “The Last King of Scotland,” “Starter For 10,” “Becoming Jane,” “Atonement,” and “Filth.” He played the young Professor Charles Xavier in “X-Men: First Class” and “X-Men: Days of Future Past.” McAvoy will again reprise his role for the new film “X-Men: Apocalypse.” With the emergence of the world’s first mutant, Apocalypse, the X-Men must unite to defeat his extinction level plan. “This is turning into the season of superheroes battling other superheroes, but ‘X-Men: Apocalypse’ is the first one, so far, to do it right,” reports the San Francisco Chronicle, And the Village Voice states, “What makes ‘X-Men: Apocalypse’ so exciting isn’t really any one thing but rather its cohesion, its storytelling verve.” “X-Men: Apocalypse” opens in theaters on May 27th.
Nick Swardson (Actor – “The Do-Over”)
Nick Swardson is an American actor, stand-up comedian, screenwriter, and producer. He is best known for his recurring role as Terry Bernadino in the comedy series “Reno 911!,” for his work with Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison Productions, and and for his own personal sketch comedy series “Nick Swardson’s Pretend Time.” Swardson kicked of The Do-Over Comedy Tour on May 19th with Adam Sandler, David Spade, and Rob Schneider. The brief tour will perform shows in seven American cities. The last show coincides with the premiere of the Adam Sandler film, “The Do-Over,” which also stars Swardson. “The Do-Over” will be available to stream on May 27th on Netflix.
Brian Greene (American Theoretical Physicist and String Theorist)
Brian Greene is an American theoretical physicist and string theorist. Greene, a professor of physics and mathematics at Columbia University, has focused on unified theories for more than 25 years, and has written several best-selling and non-technical books on the subject including “The Elegant Universe“, a Pulitzer finalist, and “The Fabric of the Cosmos” – each of which has been adapted into a NOVA mini-series. Greene believes science must be brought to general audiences in new and compelling ways, such as “Icarus at the Edge of Time” – a childrenʼs book that he adapted for film and stage – and the annual World Science Festival, which he co-founded in 2008 with his wife, science journalist Tracy Day.
Thursday, May 26th (2016)
Lizzy Caplan (Actress – “Now You See Me 2”)
Lizzy Caplan is an American actress known for her film roles in “Mean Girls,” “Cloverfield,” “Hot Tub Time Machine,” and “The Interview.” Caplan has also starred in a number of television shows, including “Related,” “The Class,” “True Blood,” “Party Down,” and “Masters of Sex,” for which she received an Emmy Award nomination. Caplan’s upcoming film is “Now You See Me 2.” In this sequel, the illusionists known as the Four Horsemen must perform an unprecedented stunt to clear their names and expose the unethical practices of a tech magnate. Critic reviews are not yet available. “Now You See Me 2” opens in US theaters on June 10th.
Mike Epps (Actor – “Uncle Buck”)
Mike Epps is an American stand-up comedian, actor, film producer, writer, and rapper. Epps’ film credits include “Next Friday,” “All About the Benjamins,” “The Hangover,” and “Bessie.” He will now star as Buck Russell in the upcoming American single-camera comedy television series, “Uncle Buck,” based on the 1989 movie of the same name. Epps plays a childish man who’s learning to be an adult by taking care of his brother’s kids, but in his own fun and silly way. “Uncle Buck” premieres June 14th at 9:00PM ET on ABC.
Neil Young (Album – “EARTH”)
Neil Young is a Canadian singer-songwriter and musician, producer, director, screenwriter, and activist. Young has been in the music business since the 1960s, has won several Grammy Awards, and has been twice inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He collaborated with Promise of the Real on his upcoming album, “EARTH.” “Ninety-eight uninterrupted minutes long, ‘EARTH’ flows as a collection of 13 songs from throughout my life, songs I have written about living here on our planet together,” Young explained in a press release. “Our animal kingdom is well represented in the audience as well, and the animals, insects, birds, and mammals actually take over the performances of the songs at times.” “EARTH” will be released on June 24th and is available for pre-order.
Friday, May 27th (2016)
Rashida Jones (Actress – “Angie Tribeca”)
Rashida Jones is an American actress, comic book author, film producer, singer, and screenwriter. She is known for her roles on “Parks and Recreation,” “Boston Public,” and “The Office.” Jones now stars in “Angie Tribeca,” an American comedy television series created by Steve Carell and Nancy Walls Carell. The series is a satire of police procedural shows. Lone-wolf detective Angie Tribeca, played by Jones, and a squad of committed LAPD detectives investigate the most serious cases, from the murder of a ventriloquist to a rash of baker suicides. “Not since the halcyon days of ‘Airplane!’ and ‘The Naked Gun’ has there been a piece of entertainment this richly, knowingly moronic. Anchored by an inspired deadpan performance from Rashida Jones,” raves The Wrap. And Paste Magazine states, “‘Angie Tribeca’ is stuffed to the gills with visual humor and punnery, some subtle, and some over-the-top.” Season two of “Angie Tribeca” premieres June 6th on TBS.
Daveed Diggs (Actor – “Hamilton”)
Daveed Diggs is an American actor and rapper who is the vocalist of the hip hop group clipping. Diggs originated and is currently playing the roles of both the Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson in the musical “Hamilton,” for which he won a Grammy Award in 2015 and is now nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. “Hamilton” is a musical about the life of American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton with music, lyrics, and book by Lin-Manuel Miranda. For the part, Diggs is required to perform the fastest rap in Broadway history. “A show about young rebels grabbing and shaping the future of an unformed country, ʻHamiltonʼ is making its own resonant history by changing the language of musicals,” raves The New York Times. “Hamilton” is nominated for 16 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. “Hamilton” is now playing on Broadway at The Richard Rodgers Theatre.
Marina Franklin (Comedian/Host – “Friends Like Us” Podcast)
Marina Franklin is an American comedian, writer, and actress known for her stand-up in comedy festivals around the world. She appeared in the film “Trainwreck” and on TV shows such as “Inside Amy Schumer,” “Louie,” “The Jim Gaffigan Show,” and “Chappelleʼs Show.” Franklin hosts the podcast “Friends Like Us,” featuring women of color with very different views on hot topics. “Sheʼs a spark plug who talks about her life and times in the city with great physicality,” raves Time Out New York.
The Struts (Album – “Everybody Wants”)
The Struts are an English rock band from Derby, Derbyshire. The band consists of vocalist Luke Spiller, guitarist Adam Slack, bassist Jed Elliott, and drummer Gethin Davies. “Everybody Wants” is their first studio album. “‘Everybody Wants’ is energetic and enigmatic – and a step on the road to even bigger things,” raves Cultured Vultures. And Stereo Board proclaims, “With flash and flair to burn, British rock ‘n’ rollers the Struts have crafted a joyous debut boasting so much class and confidence it’s like being struck by a sonic lightning bolt.” The Struts kicked off their 2016 tour on May 20th.