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.
The Late Show will again go live on Tuesday, following the vice presidential debate!
While the world reels from Kim Kardashian’s scary robbery at gunpoint in Paris, domestically eyes turn tonight to the less exciting moments of the Presidential race: the debate between the less colorful vice presidential candidates, Governor Tim Kaine and Governor Mike Pence. Hopefully, Team Stephen can make light what will probably be an underwhelming debate. Who knows? We’ll have to tune into find out.
Who are you looking forward to seeing this week? Let us know in the comments.
Monday, October 3rd (2016)
Mindy Kaling (Creator / Actress – “The Mindy Project“)
Mindy Kaling is an Indian-American actress, comedian, writer and author, best known for her role as Kelly Kapoor on ‘The Office’ (NBC), and as Dr. Mindy Lahiri on ‘The Mindy Project’ (Hulu). In addition to her work in film and television, Kaling is also a successful author with two best selling memoirs, ‘Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)‘ and ‘Why Not Me?‘. Starting on October 4th, 2016, you can catch Kaling in the fifth season of ‘The Mindy Project’, which follows the life of obstetrician/gynecologist Dr. Mindy Lahiri as she tries to balance her professional and personal life, while being surrounded by a bunch of quirky co-workers at a small medical practice in New York. Indie Wire described season four ‘as the ultimate binge’, while AV Club ponders how Dr. Lahiri will cope in season five, now that she is caught in a love triangle between Danny Castellano, the father of her child, and Jody Kimball-Kinney, the man who bought her an apartment. ‘The Mindy Project’ streams Tuesdays on Hulu.
Gary Owen (Actor – “The Gary Owen Show”)
Gary Owen is an American actor and stand-up comedian, whose big break came in 1997 after being named the “Funniest Serviceman in America”. In April, Black Entertainment Television (BET) announced is 2016-2017 lineup, which, for the first time, featured a series with a white lead, ‘The Gary Owen Show’. Speaking at the network upfront, Owen said the reality show “will follow the antics of his culturally blended family, as his wife is black and their children are interracial […] ‘This is the new face of the American family.’” Following the announcement BET released a statement about the show, “Gary Owen is arguably Black America’s most beloved non-Black comic. He became part of the family as the first Caucasian man to host BET’s ComicView, and confirmed he was here to stay with his star turns in the ‘Think Like A Man’ films, ‘Ride Along’ and ‘Meet The Blacks’. […] Now, he brings his own interracial and blended family to BET in a 30-minute unscripted series that is colorful, truthful and hysterical. Gary Owen loves his wife so much, he wants to marry her again — and the path down the aisle is paved with non-stop laughter as he balances planning a wedding with raising his three rambunctious children and growing his white-hot career.” Premieres on Tuesday, 11 October, 2016 at 9:30/8:30PMc on BET.
Sum 41 (Album – “13 Voices“)
Sum 41 are a Canadian rock band, formed in 1996 (originally named Kaspir), and currently consist of Deryck Whibley (lead vocals / rhythm guitar), Dave Baksh and Tom Thacker (lead guitar / backup vocals), Jason McCaslin (bass / backing vocals) and Frank Zummo (drums). On 7th October, 2016, the band will release their sixth studio album, “13 Voices”. Stack Magazine credits the band with “refraining from revisiting the high school cliches of their younger years” as they “continue to push forward by finding what distinguished the band in the first place.” And praises the record which “leans more heavily on their metal heritage, delivering every riff and beat with more force at a slower pace. It’s the only right choice for a band with Sum 41’s legacy, and they grab it with both hands.”
Tuesday, October 4th (2016) [Live]
John Leguizamo (Actor – “Perros”)
John Leguizamo is an award winning Colombian-American actor known his roles in ‘Moulin Rouge’, ‘ER’ and the ‘Ice Age’ franchise. Filmed entirely in Spanish in an abandoned prison in Facatativa, Colombia, his latest film ‘Perros’, sees Leguizamo take on his grittiest role to date, as “Misael, a farmer arrested for committing a horrendous crime who, after losing everything important to him, finds a friend in Sarna, a dog that lives at the prison.” (Laughspin) The film premiered at the 2016 San Francisco Latino Film Festival, and has yet to be reviewed.
Cheri Oteri (Actress – “Those Who Can’t”)
Cheri Oteri is an American comic actress, best known for her role as cast member on ‘Saturday Night Live’ from 1995 – 2000. In addition to her work on SNL, Oteri has appeared in ‘Just Shoot Me’, ‘Scary Movie’ and ‘Strangers with Candy‘. Oteri can next be seen in ‘Those Who Can’t’, which centres around three trouble-making teachers and the school librarian at Smoot High. The second season which premieres on Thursday, 6th October at 10:30/9:30c on truTV, sees the teachers face new challenges as they struggle to deal with the arrival of a new principal. “The joke is that the teachers of Smoot High have never grown up so they interact with the students as peers. This is supposed to make the endless cycle of scheming and abuse hilarious, but it’s far too familiar to be anything but exhausting. And a little bit depressing,” says The LA Times .
Paul F. Tompkins (Voice Actor – “Bojack Horseman”)
Paul F. Tompkins is an American comedian, actor and writer best known for his roles in ‘Mr Show with Bob and David’, Best Week Ever’ and over one hundred appearances on ‘Comedy Bang! Bang!’. As of July 2014, Tompkins is featured among the main cast on the ‘Supergo’ podcast, a regular player on the ‘Thrilling Adventure Hour’ podcast, and voices Mr. Peanutbutter on ‘Bojack Horseman’ on Netflix.
Wednesday, October 5th (2016)
Armie Hammer (Actor – “The Birth of a Nation”)
Arnie Hammer is an American actor best known for his roles in ‘The Social Network’, ‘The Lone Ranger’ and ‘The Man from U.N.C.L.E.’. Hammer can next be seen as Samuel Turner in ‘The Birth of a Nation’, an American period drama based on the story of Nat Turner (Nate Parker), an enslaved man who led a slave rebellion in Southampton County, Virginia in 1831. The film, which premiered at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, has been embroiled in controversy for its depiction of a brutal and historically inaccurate rape, and has received increased press coverage due to possible awards, and the alleged rape committed by the film’s director and star Nate Parker in 1999. In light of the controversy, the film has received heated and mixed reviews, with Variety comparing the film to ’12 Years a Slave’, saying that “Parker’s more conventionally told but still searingly impressive debut feature pushes the conversation further still: A biographical drama steeped equally in grace and horror, it builds to a brutal finale that will stir deep emotion and inevitable unease […] ‘The Birth of a Nation’ exists to provoke a serious debate about the necessity and limitations of empathy, the morality of retaliatory violence, and the ongoing black struggle for justice and equality in this country. It earns that debate and then some.” However, the New York Times cultural critic slams the film for its lack of historical accuracy, formulaic visual storytelling and the misogyny between Tuner and Nancy. Ultimately concludes, “Nate Parker’s retelling of Nat Turner’s rebellion does not succeed as art or as propaganda.”
Lindsey Vonn (Olympic Skier and Author – “Strong Is the New Beautiful: Embrace Your Natural Beauty, Eat Clean, and Harness Your Power “)
Lindsey Vonn is an American Olympic and World Cup alpine skier and member of the US Ski Team. Since debuting at the age of sixteen, Vonn has won four World Cup championships, six World Championships and two Winter Olympic medals. Despite being a frequent covergirl, Vonn recently admitted that she struggles with body image issues, saying that she has “insecurities like everyone else.” Vonn addresses these issues and gives her own take on dieting and exercise in her new book, “Strong Is the New Beautiful” (Today). The book, is “designed to be “the perfect companion for living life to the fullest” and urges readers to “embrace your natural beauty, eat clean and harness your power” (Mirror).
Gustavo Dudamel with the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra
Gustavo Dudamel is a Venezuelan born violinist and conductor, and the current music director of the Orquesta Sinfónica Simón Bolívar and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. The Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra (Orquesta Sinfónica Simón Bolívar) is a Venezuelan orchestra named after Simón Bolívar, was established by economist José Antonio Abreu in 1975. Based in Caracas, the orchestra is considered to be the apex of the nation’s system of youth orchestras, and according to the London Times music critic, a major factor in the creation of a national youth orchestra in the United States, following a performance at Carnegie Hall.
Thursday, October 6th (2016)
Emily Blunt (Actress – “The Girl on the Train“)
[Info Coming Soon]
Gael Garcia Bernal (Actor – “Neruda”)
[Info Coming Soon]
Phantogram (Album – “Three“)
Phantogram is an American music duo from Greenwich, New York, formed in 2007 and consisting of Josh Carter and Sarah Barthel. Their upcoming album is “Three.” “Itʼs a lot more fucking boombastic and heavy,” Sarah Barthel said over the phone in an interview with Pitchfork. “I think the record, to us, is about heartbreak. Weʼve kind of had a tough year, so a lot of inspiration and drive came from our own experiences.” “Three” drops on October 7th.
Friday, October 7th (2016)
Diane Lane (Actress – “The Cherry Orchard”)
[Info Coming Soon]
Aja Naomi King (Actress – “The Birth of a Nation”)
[Info Coming Soon]
Sebastian Maniscalco (Stand-Up Comedian- “Why Would You Do That?”)
[Info Coming Soon]
Better Know a Guest: October 3 – 7, 2016
The Late Show will again go live on Tuesday, following the vice presidential debate!
While the world reels from Kim Kardashian’s scary robbery at gunpoint in Paris, domestically eyes turn tonight to the less exciting moments of the Presidential race: the debate between the less colorful vice presidential candidates, Governor Tim Kaine and Governor Mike Pence. Hopefully, Team Stephen can make light what will probably be an underwhelming debate. Who knows? We’ll have to tune into find out.
Who are you looking forward to seeing this week? Let us know in the comments.
Monday, October 3rd (2016)
Mindy Kaling (Creator / Actress – “The Mindy Project“)
Mindy Kaling is an Indian-American actress, comedian, writer and author, best known for her role as Kelly Kapoor on ‘The Office’ (NBC), and as Dr. Mindy Lahiri on ‘The Mindy Project’ (Hulu). In addition to her work in film and television, Kaling is also a successful author with two best selling memoirs, ‘Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)‘ and ‘Why Not Me?‘. Starting on October 4th, 2016, you can catch Kaling in the fifth season of ‘The Mindy Project’, which follows the life of obstetrician/gynecologist Dr. Mindy Lahiri as she tries to balance her professional and personal life, while being surrounded by a bunch of quirky co-workers at a small medical practice in New York. Indie Wire described season four ‘as the ultimate binge’, while AV Club ponders how Dr. Lahiri will cope in season five, now that she is caught in a love triangle between Danny Castellano, the father of her child, and Jody Kimball-Kinney, the man who bought her an apartment. ‘The Mindy Project’ streams Tuesdays on Hulu.
Gary Owen (Actor – “The Gary Owen Show”)
Gary Owen is an American actor and stand-up comedian, whose big break came in 1997 after being named the “Funniest Serviceman in America”. In April, Black Entertainment Television (BET) announced is 2016-2017 lineup, which, for the first time, featured a series with a white lead, ‘The Gary Owen Show’. Speaking at the network upfront, Owen said the reality show “will follow the antics of his culturally blended family, as his wife is black and their children are interracial […] ‘This is the new face of the American family.’” Following the announcement BET released a statement about the show, “Gary Owen is arguably Black America’s most beloved non-Black comic. He became part of the family as the first Caucasian man to host BET’s ComicView, and confirmed he was here to stay with his star turns in the ‘Think Like A Man’ films, ‘Ride Along’ and ‘Meet The Blacks’. […] Now, he brings his own interracial and blended family to BET in a 30-minute unscripted series that is colorful, truthful and hysterical. Gary Owen loves his wife so much, he wants to marry her again — and the path down the aisle is paved with non-stop laughter as he balances planning a wedding with raising his three rambunctious children and growing his white-hot career.” Premieres on Tuesday, 11 October, 2016 at 9:30/8:30PMc on BET.
Sum 41 (Album – “13 Voices“)
Sum 41 are a Canadian rock band, formed in 1996 (originally named Kaspir), and currently consist of Deryck Whibley (lead vocals / rhythm guitar), Dave Baksh and Tom Thacker (lead guitar / backup vocals), Jason McCaslin (bass / backing vocals) and Frank Zummo (drums). On 7th October, 2016, the band will release their sixth studio album, “13 Voices”. Stack Magazine credits the band with “refraining from revisiting the high school cliches of their younger years” as they “continue to push forward by finding what distinguished the band in the first place.” And praises the record which “leans more heavily on their metal heritage, delivering every riff and beat with more force at a slower pace. It’s the only right choice for a band with Sum 41’s legacy, and they grab it with both hands.”
Tuesday, October 4th (2016) [Live]
John Leguizamo (Actor – “Perros”)
John Leguizamo is an award winning Colombian-American actor known his roles in ‘Moulin Rouge’, ‘ER’ and the ‘Ice Age’ franchise. Filmed entirely in Spanish in an abandoned prison in Facatativa, Colombia, his latest film ‘Perros’, sees Leguizamo take on his grittiest role to date, as “Misael, a farmer arrested for committing a horrendous crime who, after losing everything important to him, finds a friend in Sarna, a dog that lives at the prison.” (Laughspin) The film premiered at the 2016 San Francisco Latino Film Festival, and has yet to be reviewed.
Cheri Oteri (Actress – “Those Who Can’t”)
Cheri Oteri is an American comic actress, best known for her role as cast member on ‘Saturday Night Live’ from 1995 – 2000. In addition to her work on SNL, Oteri has appeared in ‘Just Shoot Me’, ‘Scary Movie’ and ‘Strangers with Candy‘. Oteri can next be seen in ‘Those Who Can’t’, which centres around three trouble-making teachers and the school librarian at Smoot High. The second season which premieres on Thursday, 6th October at 10:30/9:30c on truTV, sees the teachers face new challenges as they struggle to deal with the arrival of a new principal. “The joke is that the teachers of Smoot High have never grown up so they interact with the students as peers. This is supposed to make the endless cycle of scheming and abuse hilarious, but it’s far too familiar to be anything but exhausting. And a little bit depressing,” says The LA Times .
Paul F. Tompkins (Voice Actor – “Bojack Horseman”)
Paul F. Tompkins is an American comedian, actor and writer best known for his roles in ‘Mr Show with Bob and David’, Best Week Ever’ and over one hundred appearances on ‘Comedy Bang! Bang!’. As of July 2014, Tompkins is featured among the main cast on the ‘Supergo’ podcast, a regular player on the ‘Thrilling Adventure Hour’ podcast, and voices Mr. Peanutbutter on ‘Bojack Horseman’ on Netflix.
Wednesday, October 5th (2016)
Armie Hammer (Actor – “The Birth of a Nation”)
Arnie Hammer is an American actor best known for his roles in ‘The Social Network’, ‘The Lone Ranger’ and ‘The Man from U.N.C.L.E.’. Hammer can next be seen as Samuel Turner in ‘The Birth of a Nation’, an American period drama based on the story of Nat Turner (Nate Parker), an enslaved man who led a slave rebellion in Southampton County, Virginia in 1831. The film, which premiered at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, has been embroiled in controversy for its depiction of a brutal and historically inaccurate rape, and has received increased press coverage due to possible awards, and the alleged rape committed by the film’s director and star Nate Parker in 1999. In light of the controversy, the film has received heated and mixed reviews, with Variety comparing the film to ’12 Years a Slave’, saying that “Parker’s more conventionally told but still searingly impressive debut feature pushes the conversation further still: A biographical drama steeped equally in grace and horror, it builds to a brutal finale that will stir deep emotion and inevitable unease […] ‘The Birth of a Nation’ exists to provoke a serious debate about the necessity and limitations of empathy, the morality of retaliatory violence, and the ongoing black struggle for justice and equality in this country. It earns that debate and then some.” However, the New York Times cultural critic slams the film for its lack of historical accuracy, formulaic visual storytelling and the misogyny between Tuner and Nancy. Ultimately concludes, “Nate Parker’s retelling of Nat Turner’s rebellion does not succeed as art or as propaganda.”
Lindsey Vonn (Olympic Skier and Author – “Strong Is the New Beautiful: Embrace Your Natural Beauty, Eat Clean, and Harness Your Power “)
Lindsey Vonn is an American Olympic and World Cup alpine skier and member of the US Ski Team. Since debuting at the age of sixteen, Vonn has won four World Cup championships, six World Championships and two Winter Olympic medals. Despite being a frequent covergirl, Vonn recently admitted that she struggles with body image issues, saying that she has “insecurities like everyone else.” Vonn addresses these issues and gives her own take on dieting and exercise in her new book, “Strong Is the New Beautiful” (Today). The book, is “designed to be “the perfect companion for living life to the fullest” and urges readers to “embrace your natural beauty, eat clean and harness your power” (Mirror).
Gustavo Dudamel with the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra
Gustavo Dudamel is a Venezuelan born violinist and conductor, and the current music director of the Orquesta Sinfónica Simón Bolívar and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. The Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra (Orquesta Sinfónica Simón Bolívar) is a Venezuelan orchestra named after Simón Bolívar, was established by economist José Antonio Abreu in 1975. Based in Caracas, the orchestra is considered to be the apex of the nation’s system of youth orchestras, and according to the London Times music critic, a major factor in the creation of a national youth orchestra in the United States, following a performance at Carnegie Hall.
Thursday, October 6th (2016)
Emily Blunt (Actress – “The Girl on the Train“)
[Info Coming Soon]
Gael Garcia Bernal (Actor – “Neruda”)
[Info Coming Soon]
Phantogram (Album – “Three“)
Phantogram is an American music duo from Greenwich, New York, formed in 2007 and consisting of Josh Carter and Sarah Barthel. Their upcoming album is “Three.” “Itʼs a lot more fucking boombastic and heavy,” Sarah Barthel said over the phone in an interview with Pitchfork. “I think the record, to us, is about heartbreak. Weʼve kind of had a tough year, so a lot of inspiration and drive came from our own experiences.” “Three” drops on October 7th.
Friday, October 7th (2016)
Diane Lane (Actress – “The Cherry Orchard”)
[Info Coming Soon]
Aja Naomi King (Actress – “The Birth of a Nation”)
[Info Coming Soon]
Sebastian Maniscalco (Stand-Up Comedian- “Why Would You Do That?”)
[Info Coming Soon]