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.
A warm welcome to a new week. Happy Thanksgiving to our American Hubsters. Will Jon Batiste join The Colbert Family for their Thanksgiving day feast? I hope he gives Stephen an answer soon! As the holidays begin to approach, Stephen continues to push the envelope in his outstanding monologues. He is our voice of reason and comfort in a very confusing world.
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: On Friday evening, vice president-elect Mike Pence attended a showing of “Hamiltion” and the cast used the opportunity to make a statement emphasizing the need for the new administration of president-elect Trump to work on behalf of all Americans. As the play ended, the actor who played Vice President Aaron Burr, Brandon Victor Dixon, acknowledged that Pence was in the audience, thanked him for attending and stated, “We, sir — we — are the diverse America who are alarmed and anxious that your new administration will not protect us, our planet, our children, our parents, or defend us and uphold our inalienable rights. We truly hope that this show has inspired you to uphold our American values and to work on behalf of all of us.” Not surprisingly, Trump was displeased, tweeting. “The Theater must always be a safe and special place.The cast of Hamilton was very rude last night to a very good man, Mike Pence. Apologize!” Safe space, Donald? Oh, the irony.
Monday, November 21st (2016)
Michael Weatherly (Actor – “Bull”)
Michael Weatherly is an American actor and director best known for playing Anthony “Tony” DiNozzo on the television series “NCIS” from 2003 to 2016. He now stars as Dr. Jason Bull on the comedy-drama television series “Bull,” inspired by the early career of Dr. Phil McGraw, the founder of one of the most prolific trial consulting firms of all time. Dr. Bull is the ultimate puppet master as he combines psychology, human intuition, and high-tech data to learn what makes jurors, attorneys, witnesses, and the accused tick. “Weatherly is the here, the now and the only overriding reason to watch ‘Bull.’ On his own or in the ‘NCIS’ ensemble, his star quality is obvious and likely enough to carry ‘Bull’ through a multi-season run,” writes Uncle Barky. And Collider states, “In following a case-of-the-week format with the series, the show must rely on its level of technical nuance and the wit of its characters, and ‘Bull’ doesn’t let anyone but Weatherly really stand out.” “Bull” airs Tuesdays at 9:00PM/ET on CBS.
Carrie Fisher (Author – “The Princess Diarist”)
Carrie Fisher is an American actress and writer who is best known for her role as Princess Leia in the original “Star Wars” trilogy and “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” Her other film credits include “Hannah and Her Sisters,” “The ‘Burbs,” and “When Harry Met Sally.” Fisher is also known for her semi-autobiographical novels, including “Postcards from the Edge” and the screenplay for the film of the same name. Her new book, “The Princess Diarist,” is an intimate, hilarious, and revealing recollection of what happened behind the scenes on one of the most famous film sets of all time, the first “Star Wars” movie. When Fisher recently discovered the journals she kept during the filming of the first “Star Wars” movie, she was astonished to see what they had preserved—plaintive love poems, unbridled musings with youthful naiveté, and a vulnerability that she barely recognized. Today, her fame as an author, actress, and pop-culture icon is indisputable, but in 1977, Fisher was just a (sort-of) regular teenager.”The Princess Diarist” was named People Magazine’s Best Book of Fall 2016. Critic reviews of the book are not yet available. “The Princess Diarist” is available November 22nd.
The Pretenders (Album – “Alone”)
The Pretenders are an English-American rock band formed in Hereford, England, in March 1978. The original band consisted of initiator and main songwriter Chrissie Hynde, James Honeyman-Scott, Pete Farndon, and Martin Chambers. The band has experienced numerous subsequent personnel changes throughout the years, with Hynde as the only consistent member. Hynde launched a solo career in 2014, and the Pretenders have not played since 2012. However, on September 6, 2016 it was announced that the Pretenders would tour with Stevie Nicks on a 27-city tour for the last three months of 2016. “Alone” is their 10th studio album. “Attitude counts for a lot with Chrissie Hynde, but the true appeal of ‘Alone’ is how it marries solid songwriting with a sympathetic, surprising production, all of which amounts to a very satisfying Pretenders album,” writes AllMusic. And The Guardian states, “Always a one-off, Hynde is magnificent here–unapologetic and deferring to no one.” “Alone” is available now.
Tuesday, November 22nd (2016)
James Marsden (Actor – “Westworld”)
James Marsden is an American actor, singer, and former Versace model whose film credits include “Superman Returns,” “27 Dresses,” and Lee Daniels’ “The Butler.” He now stars as gunslinger Teddy Flood, a sentient android, in the HBO science fiction-western thriller series “Westworld.” The series takes place in fictional Westworld, a technologically advanced, Western-themed amusement park populated completely by synthetic androids dubbed “hosts.” Westworld caters to high-paying visitors dubbed “newcomers” (or just “guests”), who can do whatever they wish within the park, without fear of retaliation from the hosts. “It isn’t just great television, it’s vivid, thought-provoking television that entertains even as it examines the darker side of entertainment,” raves The Los Angeles Times. And Entertainment Weekly proclaims, “The depth of ‘Westworld’ lies not in asking questions about memory, free will, and what makes us human, but in whether we can become more human than what we let ourselves to be, whether our stories can be richer and more meaningful than what the culture allows.” “Westworld” airs Sundays on HBO.
John Waters (Writer – “Hairspray Live!”)
John Waters is an American film director, screenwriter, author, actor, stand-up comedian, journalist, visual artist, and art collector, who rose to fame in the early 1970s for his transgressive cult films. His directing credits include “Hairspray,” “Cry-Baby,” and “Cecil B. Demented.” Waters’ movie “Hairspray” has now been adapted to the small screen in the upcoming musical “Hairspray Live!,” a which takes place in 1962 Baltimore. Plump teenager Tracy Turnblad’s dream is to dance on “The Corny Collins Show,” a local TV program. When against all odds Tracy wins a role on the show, she becomes a celebrity overnight and meets a colorful array of characters. She then launches a campaign to integrate the show. “Hairspray Live!” will air December 7th at 8:00pm ET on NBC.
Jimmie Johnson (NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion)
Jimmie Johnson is an American stock car racing driver and a seven-time champion in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. He currently drives the No. 48 Chevrolet SS for Hendrick Motorsports in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Between 2002 and 2016, Johnson has recorded seven championships, 80 career race wins, 219 top fives, 330 top tens, and 35 pole positions. Johnson is the only driver to have qualified for the Chase for the Sprint Cup every single year since its inception in 2004. On November 20th, Johnson claimed his seventh championship after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup at Homestead. He is now tied with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt for the most all-time of championships.
Wednesday, November 23rd (2016)
Danny DeVito (Actor – “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”)
Danny DeVito is an American actor, comedian, producer, and director who gained prominence for his portrayal of the taxi dispatcher Louie DePalma on the 1970s television show “Taxi” which won him a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award. His film credits include “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” “Man on the Moon,” “Terms of Endearment,” and “Romancing the Stone.” Since 2005, DeVito has starred as Frank Reynolds on the FXX satirical cult comedy hit “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” The series follows “The Gang,” a group of five depraved underachievers who run the dilapidated Paddy’s Pub, an Irish bar in South Philadelphia. “It’s almost comforting in a way. The world might change, but the basic personalities of these schemers, cutthroats and lovable villains never do. They’re outlandish. They’re mean-spirited, and they’re still really damn funny,” raves Cinema Blend. And Entertainment Weekly proclaims, “Sunny’ continues to be a shining example of how to expertly combine smart political commentary with the basest of humor.” Season twelve of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” premieres January 4th on FXX.
Max Greenfield (Actor – “New Girl”)
Max Greenfield is an American actor whose television credits include recurring roles on “Veronica Mars”
and “Ugly Betty,” and a co-star role on the WB series “Modern Men.” Since 2011, Greenfield has starred on the sitcom “New Girl” as Schmidt, an overly confident Jewish ladies’ man. The series stars Zooey Dechanel as Jess, an offbeat young woman, who moves into an apartment loft with three single men. Although they find her behavior very unusual, the men support her – most of the time. “Creator Elizabeth Meriwether manages to make the situations funny and lets Deschanel channel her charm–a winning combination,” writes The Hollywood Reporter. And Variety states, “‘New Girl’ possesses ample energy, even if it almost instantly violates ‘Seinfeld’s’ old ‘No hugging, no learning’ rule. Then again, heart is part of its DNA.” Currently in its sixth season, “New Girl” aires Tuesdays at 8:00pm ET on FOX.
OK Go (Album – “Hungry Ghosts”)
OK Go is an American rock band originally from Chicago, Illinois, now based in Los Angeles, California. The band is composed of Damian Kulash, Tim Nordwind, Dan Konopka, and Andy Ross. “Hungry Ghosts” is their fourth studio album. “All in all, ‘Hungry Ghosts’ is another solid album from one of pop’s most versatile and charming bands,” writes AllMusic. And Paste Magazine reports, “‘Hungry Ghosts’ may not be the musical evolution that fans sought after four years, but OK Go’s bold pursuits of creativity in all media remain exciting still.” “Hungry Ghosts” is available now.
Thursday, November 24th (2016) Happy Thanksgiving!
Rerun
Tom Hanks, Adam Conover (OAD – October 24, 2016)
Friday, November 25th (2016)
Rerun
Tiger Woods, Elijah Wood, Jorge Ramos (OAD – October 20, 2016)
Better Know a Guest: November 21 – 25, 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.
A warm welcome to a new week. Happy Thanksgiving to our American Hubsters. Will Jon Batiste join The Colbert Family for their Thanksgiving day feast? I hope he gives Stephen an answer soon! As the holidays begin to approach, Stephen continues to push the envelope in his outstanding monologues. He is our voice of reason and comfort in a very confusing world.
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: On Friday evening, vice president-elect Mike Pence attended a showing of “Hamiltion” and the cast used the opportunity to make a statement emphasizing the need for the new administration of president-elect Trump to work on behalf of all Americans. As the play ended, the actor who played Vice President Aaron Burr, Brandon Victor Dixon, acknowledged that Pence was in the audience, thanked him for attending and stated, “We, sir — we — are the diverse America who are alarmed and anxious that your new administration will not protect us, our planet, our children, our parents, or defend us and uphold our inalienable rights. We truly hope that this show has inspired you to uphold our American values and to work on behalf of all of us.” Not surprisingly, Trump was displeased, tweeting. “The Theater must always be a safe and special place.The cast of Hamilton was very rude last night to a very good man, Mike Pence. Apologize!” Safe space, Donald? Oh, the irony.
Monday, November 21st (2016)
Michael Weatherly (Actor – “Bull”)
Michael Weatherly is an American actor and director best known for playing Anthony “Tony” DiNozzo on the television series “NCIS” from 2003 to 2016. He now stars as Dr. Jason Bull on the comedy-drama television series “Bull,” inspired by the early career of Dr. Phil McGraw, the founder of one of the most prolific trial consulting firms of all time. Dr. Bull is the ultimate puppet master as he combines psychology, human intuition, and high-tech data to learn what makes jurors, attorneys, witnesses, and the accused tick. “Weatherly is the here, the now and the only overriding reason to watch ‘Bull.’ On his own or in the ‘NCIS’ ensemble, his star quality is obvious and likely enough to carry ‘Bull’ through a multi-season run,” writes Uncle Barky. And Collider states, “In following a case-of-the-week format with the series, the show must rely on its level of technical nuance and the wit of its characters, and ‘Bull’ doesn’t let anyone but Weatherly really stand out.” “Bull” airs Tuesdays at 9:00PM/ET on CBS.
Carrie Fisher (Author – “The Princess Diarist”)
Carrie Fisher is an American actress and writer who is best known for her role as Princess Leia in the original “Star Wars” trilogy and “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” Her other film credits include “Hannah and Her Sisters,” “The ‘Burbs,” and “When Harry Met Sally.” Fisher is also known for her semi-autobiographical novels, including “Postcards from the Edge” and the screenplay for the film of the same name. Her new book, “The Princess Diarist,” is an intimate, hilarious, and revealing recollection of what happened behind the scenes on one of the most famous film sets of all time, the first “Star Wars” movie. When Fisher recently discovered the journals she kept during the filming of the first “Star Wars” movie, she was astonished to see what they had preserved—plaintive love poems, unbridled musings with youthful naiveté, and a vulnerability that she barely recognized. Today, her fame as an author, actress, and pop-culture icon is indisputable, but in 1977, Fisher was just a (sort-of) regular teenager.”The Princess Diarist” was named People Magazine’s Best Book of Fall 2016. Critic reviews of the book are not yet available. “The Princess Diarist” is available November 22nd.
The Pretenders (Album – “Alone”)
The Pretenders are an English-American rock band formed in Hereford, England, in March 1978. The original band consisted of initiator and main songwriter Chrissie Hynde, James Honeyman-Scott, Pete Farndon, and Martin Chambers. The band has experienced numerous subsequent personnel changes throughout the years, with Hynde as the only consistent member. Hynde launched a solo career in 2014, and the Pretenders have not played since 2012. However, on September 6, 2016 it was announced that the Pretenders would tour with Stevie Nicks on a 27-city tour for the last three months of 2016. “Alone” is their 10th studio album. “Attitude counts for a lot with Chrissie Hynde, but the true appeal of ‘Alone’ is how it marries solid songwriting with a sympathetic, surprising production, all of which amounts to a very satisfying Pretenders album,” writes AllMusic. And The Guardian states, “Always a one-off, Hynde is magnificent here–unapologetic and deferring to no one.” “Alone” is available now.
Tuesday, November 22nd (2016)
James Marsden (Actor – “Westworld”)
James Marsden is an American actor, singer, and former Versace model whose film credits include “Superman Returns,” “27 Dresses,” and Lee Daniels’ “The Butler.” He now stars as gunslinger Teddy Flood, a sentient android, in the HBO science fiction-western thriller series “Westworld.” The series takes place in fictional Westworld, a technologically advanced, Western-themed amusement park populated completely by synthetic androids dubbed “hosts.” Westworld caters to high-paying visitors dubbed “newcomers” (or just “guests”), who can do whatever they wish within the park, without fear of retaliation from the hosts. “It isn’t just great television, it’s vivid, thought-provoking television that entertains even as it examines the darker side of entertainment,” raves The Los Angeles Times. And Entertainment Weekly proclaims, “The depth of ‘Westworld’ lies not in asking questions about memory, free will, and what makes us human, but in whether we can become more human than what we let ourselves to be, whether our stories can be richer and more meaningful than what the culture allows.” “Westworld” airs Sundays on HBO.
John Waters (Writer – “Hairspray Live!”)
John Waters is an American film director, screenwriter, author, actor, stand-up comedian, journalist, visual artist, and art collector, who rose to fame in the early 1970s for his transgressive cult films. His directing credits include “Hairspray,” “Cry-Baby,” and “Cecil B. Demented.” Waters’ movie “Hairspray” has now been adapted to the small screen in the upcoming musical “Hairspray Live!,” a which takes place in 1962 Baltimore. Plump teenager Tracy Turnblad’s dream is to dance on “The Corny Collins Show,” a local TV program. When against all odds Tracy wins a role on the show, she becomes a celebrity overnight and meets a colorful array of characters. She then launches a campaign to integrate the show. “Hairspray Live!” will air December 7th at 8:00pm ET on NBC.
Jimmie Johnson (NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion)
Jimmie Johnson is an American stock car racing driver and a seven-time champion in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. He currently drives the No. 48 Chevrolet SS for Hendrick Motorsports in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Between 2002 and 2016, Johnson has recorded seven championships, 80 career race wins, 219 top fives, 330 top tens, and 35 pole positions. Johnson is the only driver to have qualified for the Chase for the Sprint Cup every single year since its inception in 2004. On November 20th, Johnson claimed his seventh championship after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup at Homestead. He is now tied with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt for the most all-time of championships.
Wednesday, November 23rd (2016)
Danny DeVito (Actor – “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”)
Danny DeVito is an American actor, comedian, producer, and director who gained prominence for his portrayal of the taxi dispatcher Louie DePalma on the 1970s television show “Taxi” which won him a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award. His film credits include “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” “Man on the Moon,” “Terms of Endearment,” and “Romancing the Stone.” Since 2005, DeVito has starred as Frank Reynolds on the FXX satirical cult comedy hit “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” The series follows “The Gang,” a group of five depraved underachievers who run the dilapidated Paddy’s Pub, an Irish bar in South Philadelphia. “It’s almost comforting in a way. The world might change, but the basic personalities of these schemers, cutthroats and lovable villains never do. They’re outlandish. They’re mean-spirited, and they’re still really damn funny,” raves Cinema Blend. And Entertainment Weekly proclaims, “Sunny’ continues to be a shining example of how to expertly combine smart political commentary with the basest of humor.” Season twelve of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” premieres January 4th on FXX.
Max Greenfield (Actor – “New Girl”)
Max Greenfield is an American actor whose television credits include recurring roles on “Veronica Mars”
and “Ugly Betty,” and a co-star role on the WB series “Modern Men.” Since 2011, Greenfield has starred on the sitcom “New Girl” as Schmidt, an overly confident Jewish ladies’ man. The series stars Zooey Dechanel as Jess, an offbeat young woman, who moves into an apartment loft with three single men. Although they find her behavior very unusual, the men support her – most of the time. “Creator Elizabeth Meriwether manages to make the situations funny and lets Deschanel channel her charm–a winning combination,” writes The Hollywood Reporter. And Variety states, “‘New Girl’ possesses ample energy, even if it almost instantly violates ‘Seinfeld’s’ old ‘No hugging, no learning’ rule. Then again, heart is part of its DNA.” Currently in its sixth season, “New Girl” aires Tuesdays at 8:00pm ET on FOX.
OK Go (Album – “Hungry Ghosts”)
OK Go is an American rock band originally from Chicago, Illinois, now based in Los Angeles, California. The band is composed of Damian Kulash, Tim Nordwind, Dan Konopka, and Andy Ross. “Hungry Ghosts” is their fourth studio album. “All in all, ‘Hungry Ghosts’ is another solid album from one of pop’s most versatile and charming bands,” writes AllMusic. And Paste Magazine reports, “‘Hungry Ghosts’ may not be the musical evolution that fans sought after four years, but OK Go’s bold pursuits of creativity in all media remain exciting still.” “Hungry Ghosts” is available now.
Thursday, November 24th (2016) Happy Thanksgiving!
Rerun
Tom Hanks, Adam Conover (OAD – October 24, 2016)
Friday, November 25th (2016)
Rerun
Tiger Woods, Elijah Wood, Jorge Ramos (OAD – October 20, 2016)