>> TWITTER SAYS IT HAS BANNED 70,000 ACCOUNTS PROMOTING THE
QANON CONSPIRACY THEORIES, FACEBOOK ALSO RESTRICTING TALK
ABOUT ELECTION FRAUD, AND PARLER, THE NEWLY FAVORED
CONSERVATIVE SOCIAL MEDIA SITE TAKEN OFFLINE INDEFINITELY.
>> WHERE ARE ALL THESE USERS GOING TO GO?
♪ ♪ ♪ >> HAS YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT
BEEN SUSPENDED FOR BEING TOO EXTREME?
LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO SPREAD HATE AND MISINFORMATION FREE OF
CENSORSHIP?
THEN COME BACK TO THE ORIGINAL PLATFORM FOR SPEWING
UNRESTRICTED NONSENSE-- CRAPR.
BIG TECH WON'T TELL YOU HOW TO THINK ON CRAPR.
EXERCISE YOUR FREEDOM OF SPEECH BY POSTING FALSE INFORMATION,
NAZI PROPAGANDA, OR YOUR OPINION OF THE LATEST "BRIDGERTON"
EPISODE.
YOU CAN SPEAK YOUR MIND FREELY WITHOUT FEAR OF HAVING YOUR POST
FACT-CHECKED.
YOU'LL BE INTRODUCED TO A FREE MARKET OF IDEAS, ANY OF WHICH
YOU CAN ENDORSE WITH A RE-SQUAT.
AND IT'S THE ONLY SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM STILL ALLOWING POSTS
FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
SO JOIN CRAPR TODAY, WHERE YOUR IDEAS WILL NEVER BE-- HEY!
YOU CAN'T LYSOL MY FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS!
THIS IS ORWELLIAN!
( TOILET FLUSHING ) >> Announcer: IT'S "A LATE SHOW
WITH STEPHEN COLBERT."
TONIGHT: PLUS STEPHEN WELCOMES
JAMES COMEY AND LILI REINHART
FEATURING JON BATISTE AND STAY HUMAN.
AND NOW, LIVE oN TAPE FROM THE ED SULLIVAN THEATER OFFICE
BUILDING IN NEW YORK CITY, IT'S STEPHEN COLBERT!
>> Stephen: WELCOME, WELCOME, CITIZENS, TO "A LATE SHOW."
I'M YOUR HOST, STEPHEN COLBERT.
WELL, FELLOW AMERICANS, THE BIG STORY TODAY-- AND WE'LL BE
TALKING ABOUT IT IN THE BIG SCRIPT WE HAVE HERE--
WILL BE THE BIG STORY FROM YESTERDAY, WHICH WAS ALSO THE
BIG STORY FROM LAST WEEK, WHICH IS JUST THE GRAND FINALE OF THE
STORY FROM THE LAST FOUR YEARS.
IT'S BEEN SIX DAYS SINCE MAGA TERRORISTS RANSACKED THE CAPITOL
BUILDING, BUT THE DANGER HAS NOT PASSED.
YESTERDAY, THE F.B.I. RELEASED A BULLETIN INDICATING THAT "ARMED
PROTESTS" ARE BEING PLANNED AT ALL 50 STATE CAPITOLS.
STILL WANT TO BE A STATE, PUERTO RICO?
THERE MIGHT BE AN OPENING SOON.
THE F.B.I. WARNED THAT THE ARMED PROTESTS ARE BEING PLANNED FROM
JANUARY 16 THROUGH AT LEAST JANUARY 20.
FOUR DAYS THAT'S NOT AN ANTI-GOVERNMENT
INSURGENCY.
THAT'S A MUSIC FESTIVAL.
IT'S "COUP-CHELLA"-- WHICH IS REALLY THE ONLY PLACE IT'S
APPROPRIATE TO GO SHIRTLESS IN BUFFALO HORNS.
AND IT'S NOT JUST STATE CAPITOLS.
YESTERDAY, MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WERE BRIEFED ON THREE PLANNED
RIOTS FOR D.C.
THE MOST CONCERNING PLOT WOULD INVOLVE INSURRECTIONISTS FORMING
A PERIMETER AROUND THE CAPITOL, THE WHITE HOUSE, AND THE SUPREME
COURT, AND THEN BLOCKING DEMOCRATS FROM ENTERING THE
CAPITOL-- PERHAPS EVEN KILLING THEM-- SO THAT REPUBLICANS COULD
TAKE CONTROL OF THE GOVERNMENT.
WHAT KIND OF PLAN IS THAT?
THEY'RE GOING TO KILL A BUNCH OF PEOPLE, BUT AFTER THAT, IT'S
JUST BACK TO SEVENTH GRADE CIVICS AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO
NOTICE?
THERE'S A REASON THE FIRST ARTICLE OF THE CONSTITUTION
ISN'T "THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SHALL BE
COMPOSED OF MEMBERS CHOSEN EVERY SECOND YEAR BY THE PEOPLE--
UNLESS, OF COURSE, ONE SIDE MURDERS THE OTHER SIDE, IN WHICH
CASE, IT'S 'GRAND THEFT AUTO' RULES."
AND CONGRESS DID RECEIVE SOME HELPFUL SAFETY TIPS, AS THEY
WERE REMINDED THAT "THE PURCHASE OF A BULLETPROOF VEST IS A
REIMBURSABLE EXPENSE."
GOOD TO KNOW.
SAME REASON LINCOLN GOT TO WRITE OFF THOSE THEATER TICKETS.
FOR ALMOST A WEEK NOW, WE'VE HAD PEOPLE TRYING TO TELL US WHAT WE
SAW ISN'T WHAT WE SAW, WHICH IS WHY TODAY, IT WAS REASSURING
TO HEAR FROM F.B.I. OFFICIAL STEVEN D'ANTUONO-- DO I HAVE
THAT RIGHT?
LET'S SAY I HAVE THAT RIGHT-- WHO MADE IT CLEAR: THE MAGA
MANIACS WHO TRIED TO OVERTHROW THE GOVERNMENT ARE GOING TO PAY.
>> THE F.B.I. HAS WORKED HAND IN HAND WITH THE UNITED STATES
ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERS HERE IN
D.C. AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO ARREST AND CHARGE MULTIPLE
INDIVIDUALS WHO TOOK PART IN THE DESTRUCTION.
IN SIX DAYS, WE HAVE OPENED OVER 160 CASE FILES, AND THAT'S JUST
THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG.
>> Stephen: THAT'S AN APT METAPHOR UPON
THE MAGA CROWD HAS A LOT IN COMMON WITH ICEBERGS: COLD;
WHITE; AND WHEN THE HEAT IS ON, TEY JUST MELT BEFORE YOUR EYES.
IT WAS VALIDATING TO HEAR SOMEONE, ANYONE, TAKE THIS WHOLE
THING AS SERIOUSLY AS IT DESERVES.
>> TO BE CLEAR, THE BRUTALITY THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WATCHED WITH
SOCK AND DISBELIEF ON THE 6th WOULD NOT BE TOLERATED BY
THE F.B.I.
THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE F.B.I.
WILL LEAVE NO STONE UNTURNED IN THIS INVESTIGATION.
>> Stephen: SO, MAGA-HEADS WHO THOUGHT THE FEDS WERE OUT TO GET
YOU, I'M HAPPY TO SAY, THEY ARE NOW.
I HAVE A FEELING YOU'LL SOON BE OCCUPYING ANOTHER FEDERAL
BUILDING FOR A LONG TIME.
THEN IT WAS TIME TO HEAR FROM ACTING U.S. ATTORNEY FOR THE
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, AND I'M AGAIN, MICHAEL SHERWIN.
AM I SAYING SHERWIN CORRECTLY?
SHERWIN?
LET'S SAY I AM.
SO FAR, THE MAGA MOB HAS BEEN ARRESTED FOR MINOR CRIMES, LIKE
TRESPASSING, BUT SHERWIN TOLD US THINGS ARE GOING TO GET SERIOUS.
>> THE F.B.I., WORKING WITH THE U.S. ATTORNEYS' OFFICES ACROSS
THE COUNTRY-- AND THE CRUX OF THOSE BEING IN D.C.-- WE'RE
LOOKING AT SIGNIFICANT FELONY CASES TIED TO SEDITION AND
CONSPIRACY.
>> Stephen: SEDITION.
YOU MAGA TERRORISTS MUST BE PRETTY PROUD!
YOU'RE FINALLY BEING TREATED JUST LIKE THOSE GUYS WHOSE FLAG
YOU LOVE TO CARRY!
BUT YOU KNOW WHO'S NOT TAKING ALT-RIGHT TERRORISM SERIOUSLY?
THE PRESIDENT.
YESTERDAY, HE HAD A PHONE CALL WITH HOUSE MINORITY LEADER,
KEVIN McCARTHY, SEEN HERE REALIZING THAT GOD HAS CURSED
HIM TO BE KEVIN McCARTHY.
AND INSTEAD OF ACKNOWLEDGING WHAT REALLY HAPPENED, THE
PRESIDENT BLAMED STORMING THE CAPITOL ON "ANTIFA PEOPLE."
WHAT?
THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
YOU INVITED THOSE RIOTERS TO YOUR RALLY IN WASHINGTON.
THEY WERE WEARING YOUR SHIRTS, YOUR HATS, WAVING YOUR FLAG, AND
THEY CHEERED WHEN YOU TOLD THEM TO GO MARCH ON THE CAPITOL.
FROM NOW ON, NEUROLOGISTS ARE GOING TO HOLD UP PICTURES LIKE
THIS TO STROKE VICTIMS AND SAY, "CAN YOU TELL ME WHOSE
SUPPORTERS THESE ARE?" AND IF THEY DON'T SAY, "THEY'RE
MAGA PEOPLE," YOU KNOW IT'S TIME TO TAKE AWAY THEIR CAR KEYS.
THIS ANTIFA EXCUSE IS SO RIDICULOUS THAT EVEN THE
NORMALLY SPINE-FREE ZONE OF KEVIN McCARTHY PUSHED BACK,
SAYING, "IT'S NOT ANTIFA.
IT'S MAGA.
I KNOW.
I WAS THERE."
FINDING OUT THIS LATE IN THE GAME
THAT KEVIN McCARTHY HAS THE ABILITY TO NAME REALITY IN THE
FACE OF THE PRESIDENT'S LIES IS LIKE FINDING OUT THAT TOM HANKS
IN "CASTAWAY" HAD A BOAT THE WHOLE TIME.
WHY DIDN'T YOU USE IT BEFORE, YOU IDIOT?
DID WILSON STOP YOU?
YOU COULD HAVE BEEN HAPPY WITH HELEN HUNT!
SHE SEEMS VERY NICE.
NOW, ON THE PEACEFUL TRANSITION OF POWER, McCARTHY TOLD POTUS HE
SHOULD CALL JOE BIDEN, MEET WITH THE PRESIDENT-ELECT, AND FOLLOW
TRADITION AND LEAVE A WELCOME LETTER IN THE RESOLUTE DESK FOR
HIS SUCCESSOR.
WELL, WE ACTUALLY HAVE A COPY OF THE FIRST DRAFT OF THE
PRESIDENT'S WELCOME LETTER.
"IF YOU EVER WANT TO SEE DEOCRACY AGAIN, LEAVE A
WHEELBARROW OF CHICKEN NUGGETS WITH THE CONCIERGE AT MY HOTEL."
NOW, PROTECTING THE COUNTRY FROM ITS DERANGED RULER MIGHT COME
DOWN TO VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE, SEEN HERE AT ONE OF THE
PRESIDENT'S "WHO SHOULD YOU MURDER NEXT" RALLIES.
( LAUGHTER ) THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PASSED A RESOLUTION TODAY ASKING PENCE TO REMOVE THE PRESIDENT
USING THE 25th AMENDMENT.
AND YOU'D THINK PENCE WOULD BE INTO THE IDEA, CONSIDERING THE
WHOLE "HANG HIM" THING.
BUT YOU WOULD BE DEAD WRONG, BECAUSE YESTERDAY, AFTER DAYS OF
SILENCE, THE PRESIDENT AND MIKE PENCE SPOKE FOR THE FIRST TIME,
MEETING IN THE OVAL OFFICE, AND AGREED THAT THOSE WHO BROKE THE
LAW AND STORMED THE CAPITOL LAST WEEK DO NOT REPRESENT THEIR
POLICY OF AMERICA FIRST.
OF COURSE THIS MOB VIOLENCE WASN'T AMERICA FIRST.
IT WAS IN GERMANY FIRST.
SO, APPARENTLY, IT'S ALL WATER UNDER THE GALLOWS NOW.
I CANNOT FATHOM THIS TYPE OF SELF-DESTRUCTIVE LOYALTY.
BUT I GUESS IT'S WORTH IT FOR THE REWARD: MIKE WAS NAMED WHITE
HOUSE EMPLOYEE OF THE WEEK!
IT COMES WITH A $10 COUPON TO SUBWAY AND INSTRUCTIONS TO THE
MOB SO THEY CAN CATCH MIKE PENCE AT SUBWAY.
WITH THE 25th AMENDMENT OPTION OFF THE TABLE, HOUSE DEMOCRATS
ARE SET TO IMPEACH THE PRESIDENT.
I'LL CATCH YOU UP ON THE LATEST IN OUR "BACK BY UNPOPULAR
DEMAND" SEGMENT, "DON AND THE GIANT IMPEACH 2: GO FAST, WE'RE
FURIOUS."
>> THAT WAS A CLOSE ONE.
>> Stephen: EVEN THOUGH THEIR OWN LIVES WERE THREATENED BY THE
COUP THAT THE PRESIDENT INSTIGATED, ONLY A HANDFUL OF
REPUBLICANS HAVE BACKED REMOVING HIM FROM OFFICE.
THE REST ARE SAYING, "OH, THERE'S ONLY SEVEN DAYS LEFT."
MAY I REMIND YOU, SEVEN DAYS IS A LONG TIME WHEN YOU LET A
LUNATIC BE THE MOST POWERFUL MAN IN THE WORLD.
IF A GRIZZLY BEAR SHOWS UP AT A CHILD'S BIRTHDAY PARTY, YOU
DON'T SAY, "THERE'S ONLY 45 MINUTES LEFT, LET'S JUST RUN
OUT THE CLOCK WHILE HE GNAWS ON TYLER."
MAKE YOURSELF BIGGER, TYLER!
IT FRIGHTENS THEM!
ONE FORMER SENATE AIDE EXPLAINED THAT, FOR REPUBLICANS, HOLDING
THE PRESIDENT ACCOUNTABLE IS "STILL POLITICALLY PROBLEMATIC."
YES, REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS DESPERATELY NEED THE PRESIDENT'S
SUPPORTERS TO LIKE THEM!
I MEAN, THEIR HANDS ARE TIED!
ALMOST LITERALLY.
THE G.O.P. HAS NEW TALKING POINTS FOR WHY THEY THINK
REMOVING THE PRESIDENT IS THE WRONG MOVE:
>> LET'S TRY TO COME TOGETHER.
>> I THINK THE FIRST THING WE NEED TO DO AS LEADERS IN
AMERICA IS LOWER THE TEMPERATURE AND TRY TO COME TOGETHER.
>> I THINK WE NEED TO LOWER THE RHETORIC.
WE NEED TO GET SOME UNITY GOING.
>> Stephen: OKAY, LET'S UNIFY IN PUNISHING ALL THE
INSURRECTIONISTS AND THEIR POLITICAL LEADERS WHO
LEGITIMIZED THEIR HOMICIDAL FANTASIES.
THERE CAN BE NO HEALING UNTIL THE SICKNESS IS IDENTIFIED AND
REMOVED.
AND YOU CAN DO IT NOW!
THE TUMOR LOST HIS TWITTER FEED!
BECAUSE UNITY'S GREAT!
I'M ALL FOR UNITY.
SO, REPUBLICANS, WHAT'S YOUR OUTREACH TO THE OTHER SIDE?
YOU GOT TO ANTE UP.
YOU DON'T GET TO STAY IN THE GAME IF YOU DON'T TOSS IN A CHIP
OF GOOD FAITH.
THE OTHER SIDE IS GOING TO STOP THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN BY
GETTING RID OF THE GUY WHO CAUSED IT.
WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO DO TO HELP?
BECAUSE, SO FAR, YOU HAVE DONE NOTHING.
THEY WERE SIMPLY CERTIFYING A FREE AND FAIR ELECTION-- AN
ELECTION THAT YOU KNEW WAS FREE AND FAIR-- BUT YOU LIED ABOUT IT
ANYWAY, BECAUSE YOU WANTED CAMPAIGN CASH AND EYEBALLS AND,
YOU WERE AFRAID TO MAKE YOUR BOSS AND HIS MAGA MONSTER MAD.
YOUR LIES LEGITIMIZED THE FANTASIES OF A VIOLENT,
ANTI-DEMOCRATIC MOB THAT NEARLY GOT YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES
KILLED, AND DID GET A POLICEMAN MURDERED.
NOW YOU WANT TO USE YOUR HOLLOW CALLS FOR UNITY TO SWEEP IT ALL
UNDER THE RUG?
WELL, GOOD LUCK WITH THAT, BROTHER, BECAUSE THE RIOTERS
ALSO POOPED ON YOUR RUGS.
NOW, AS THE PRESS CONFERENCE MADE CLEAR TODAY, THE FEDS ARE
ARRESTING MEMBERS OF THE MAGA-WAFFEN IN LARGE NUMBERS.
TO DO SO, THE F.B.I. HAS STREAMLINED THE PROCESS.
THEY'VE GIVEN ALL THEIR FIELD OFFICES A LIST OF QUESTIONS TO
ASK ALL POTENTIAL SUSPECTS.
IT'S PRETTY SIMPLE STUFF LIKE, "WERE YOU IN WASHINGTON ON THE
AFTERNOON OF JANUARY 6?" "DO YOU BELIEVE THE U.S.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION WAS STOLEN?"
AND "WHO DID YOU ROOT FOR?
INDIANA JONES OR THE MELTING-FACE NAZI GUY?"
NOW, WITH THE HELP OF ONLINE DETECTIVES, THE F.B.I. IS SLOWLY
BUT SURELY TRACKING THESE PEOPLE DOWN AND ARRESTING THEM.
CASE IN POINT, THIS JACK-HOLE IN THE VIKING HAT IS NAMED JAKE
ANGELI.
HOW DO WE KNOW THAT'S HIS NAME?
WELL, AMONG OTHER REASONS, ANGELI ACTUALLY CALED THE
F.B.I. HIMSELF TO ACKNOWLEDGE HE WAS THE PERSON IN PHOTOGRAPHS
OF THE RIOT AND TOLD A REPORTER HE WAS NOT AFRAID OF ARREST.
WHY DOES HE THINK HE CAN CALL THE F.B.I. AND JUST EXPLAIN AWAY
HIS CRIME?
♪ WHITE PRIVILEGE ♪ OH, THANK YOU, "LATE SHOW"
CHOIR.
( LAUGHTER ) ANGELI-- A.K.A. THE QANON
SHAMAN-- WENT ON TO EXPLAIN, "AND EVEN IF I WAS ARRESTED,
WASN'T GANDHI ARRESTED A LOT?
WASN'T MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. ARRESTED A LOT?
WASN'T JESUS ARRESTED?" YES, FOR NON-VIOLENT PROTEST--
KIND OF THEIR THING.
JESUS NEVER SAID, "LET HE WHOSE CANDIDATE DID NOT WIN CAST THE
FIRST STONE.
AND THE SECOND.
AND THE THIRD.
HANG MIKE PENCE!" SINCE HIS ARREST, ANGELI, A
FAILED ACTOR WHO LIVES WITH HIS MOM, HAS GONE ON A HUNGER
STRIKE-ISH.
HE "WON'T EAT IN JAIL BECAUSE HE NEEDS 'ORGANIC FOOD.'"
SO, YOU'VE JUST BEEN ARRESTED FOR TRYING TO OVERTHROW THE
GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES IN A VIOLENT COUP THAT KILLED
FIVE PEOPLE, AND YOU'RE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE MENU?
WHAT WOULD YOU EVEN CALL THAT?
♪ WHITE PRIVILEGE ♪ THANK YOU.
"EXCUSE ME, OFFICER.
I ORDERED THE ORGANIC SPINACH FRITATTA WITH WHEAT TOAST, AND I
GOT EXPIRED HAM ON WONDER BREAD.
I AM TELLING YOU-- THIS IS A WARNING-- I'M GOING TO GIVE THIS
PRISON ZERO STARS.
OKAY, NOW I'M BEING STABBED IN THE RIBS.
THAT SHIV BETTER BE GLUTEN-FREE!"
NOW, BRACE YOURSELF: A JUDGE HAS RULED IN ANGELI'S FAVOR,
WE'VE LEARNED THAT THE SHAMAN WILL GET HIS ORGANIC FOOD.
WELL, THAT'S JUST STANDARD.
WE ALL REMEMBER WHAT THE ANONYMOUS FEDERAL AGENTS SAID
THIS SUMMER WHILE SHOVING PROTESTERS INTO UNMARKED VANS:
>> WOULD YOU LIKE THE CHICKEN OR THE FISH!
CHICKEN OR THE FISH?!
NOW!
WE'VE GOT A GREAT SHOW FOR YOU TONIGHT.
THE FORMER DIRECTOR OF THE F.B.I., JAMES COMEY, IS HERE.
STICK AROUND.
♪ ♪ ♪
>> Stephen: HEY, LET'S SAY HI
TO JON BATISTE, EVERYBODY.
WAS THAT TEAKO, TEAKO?
>> Jon: YES.
YES, INDEED.
>> Stephen: I-- I LOVE LISTENING TO BRAZILIAN MUSIC
IT GETS-- IT CUTS RIGHT THROUGH IT.
I DON'T CARE HOW DOWN I AM.
>> Jon: YEAH, YOU FEEL THE SUN ON YOUR SKIN.
I LOVE THAT VIBE.
>> Stephen: HAVE YOU BEEN DOWN THERE?
>> Jon: YEAH, YEAH.
>> Stephen: YOU HAVE?
>> Jon: YES, BAIJA IS A LOT LIKE NEW ORLEANS.
THEY HAD RICE AND BEANS.
AND I WAS LIKE, WOW.
I DIDN'T KNOW YOU ALL WERE COOKING LIKE THAT, TOO.
>> Stephen: WE'RE TAKING THE SHOW TO RIO.
THE SHOW IS GOING TO RIO.
CAN YOU GIVE ME A LITTLE MORE OF THAT FLAVOR AS WE GO OUT?
>> Jon: OH, YEAH.
♪ ♪ ♪ >> Stephen: JON BATISTE,
EVERYBODY.
THANK YOU, JON.
>> Jon: YES, INDEED.
PEOPLE MAKE THE WORLD GO 'ROUND.
>> Stephen: MY FIRST GUEST TONIGHT IS A "NEW YORK TIMES"
BEST-SELLING AUTHOR AND THE FORMER DIRECTOR OF THE F.B.I.
PLEASE WELCOME TO "A LATE SHOW," JAMES COMEY.
DIRECTOR, THANKS FOR BEING HERE.
>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME, STEPHEN.
>> Stephen: I'M SURPRISED A MAN OF YOUR HEIGHT CAN FIT INTO
A ZOOM BOX.
( LAUGHTER ).
>> I'M JAMMED INTO A LITTLE BOX.
>> Stephen: OKAY.
NOW, I AM NOT ENTIRELY SURE WHERE TO BEGIN.
I WANT TO GET TO YOUR NEW BOOK, "SAVING JUSTICE," BECAUSE I
THINK THAT HAS PARTICULAR RESONANCE RIGHT NOW.
BUT BEFORE WE GET INTO THAT, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE EVENTS OF
THIS LAST WEEK AND YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON WORKING FOR THIS
ADMINISTRATION.
THE PRESIDENT, AS YOU SAID IN YOUR LAST BOOK, ASKED YOU FOR
LOYALTY SEVEN DAYS AFTER HIS INAUGURATION.
AND WE HAVE SORT OF THE DANGEROUS REPERCUSSIONS OF THE
NEED FOR THAT KIND OF BLIND LOYALTY TO PRESIDENT TRUMP.
OBVIOUSLY, MOST DISTURBINGLY, LAST WEDNESDAY, BUT THEN IN THE
EXCUSES AND THE OBFUSCATIONS BEING MADE BY THE SORT OF
SPINELESS MEMBERS OF THE PARTY WHO ARE FOLLOWING HIM FOR THEIR
OWN BENEFIT.
WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO WHAT YOU SAW LAST WEDNESDAY?
AND AS A FOLLOW-UP, YOUR REACTION TO THOSE WHO ARE STILL
MAKING EXCUSES?
>> WELL, AS AN AMERICAN, I HOPE LIKE ALL AMERICANS, I WAS
SICKENED TO SEE AN ATTACK ON THE CENTER OF OUR DEMOCRACY.
AS A FORMER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL, I WAS ANGRY THAT THE
CAPITOL WAS SO POORLY DEFENDED.
AND I FOUND THAT MIX DISORIENTING AND VERY, VERY
CONCERNING.
AND THEN TO SEE PEOPLE MAKING EXCUSES FOR AN ASSAULT ON OUR
DEMOCRACY JUST DEEPENS MY SENSE OF NASA AND DISTASTE FOR THEM,
AND MAKES ME WORRY ABOUT HOW WE'RE GOING TO GET BETWEEN HERE
AND THE INAUGURATION.
>> Stephen: I MEAN, THIS S THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
AND I-- I THINK THAT CALLS FOR UNITY ARE ALWAYS WELCOME, BUT
SHOULDN'T THERE BE SOME PRICE OF ADMISSION TO THE UNITY PARTY?
DON'T THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE...
SUPPORTED THE PRESIDENT UP TILL NOW HAVE TO ADMIT AND UNDERSTAND
WHAT A DANGER HE IS?
AND THEN WE CAN ALL UNIFY IN DEALING WITH THAT DANGER.
>> YEAH, THEY'RE STANDING IN THE LOBBY OF A BUILDING THAT THEY
LIT ON FIRE, AS THE REST OF US ARE UNNING OUT, THEY'RE URGING
US ALL TO LOVE EACH OTHER AND TO UNIFY.
THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT HAVE TO BE DEALT WITH FIRST.
WE NEED TO PROTECT THE BUILDING AND PEOPLE NEED TO ADMIT THEIR
RESPONSIBILITY.
THEY HAVE NURTURED THE EXPLOSION, ALMOST A
CHERNOBYL-LIKE EXPLOSION OF THE RADIOACTIVE STEW OF RACISM,
MISOGYNY, CONSPIRACY-MINDED VIOLENCE THAT WE'VE LONG HAD IN
THIS COUNTRY BUT WE'VE KEPT IT IN A CONTAINMENT BUILDING.
THEY'VE BEEN DIGGING AT THE FOUNDATION OF THAT BUILDING FOR
THE LAST FOUR OR FIVE YEARS AND NOW THERE'S BEEN AN EXPLOSION
AND THERE HAS TO BE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THAT.
>> Stephen: YOU SAID YOU WERE SHOCKED NOT ONLY BY THE
LAWLESSNESS BUT THE LACK OF.
CHRISTOPHER WRAY, TOLD CONGRESS THAT WHITE SUPREMACISTS ARE THE
BIGGEST DOMESTIC TERRORISM THREAT, AND THAT WE SHOULD BE
PREPARED FOR THAT.
NOW, OF "THE WASHINGTON POST" ALSO REPORTS THAT THE F.B.I.
WARNED LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ABOUT THIS SPECIFIC ATTACK.
SO WE HAVE THE GENERALIZED WARNING FROM THE DIRECTOR OF
F.B.I., YOUR OLD JOB.
AND THEN YOU HAVE SPECIFIC WARNINGS FROM THE F.B.I.
I'VE TRIED TO FIGURE OUT, PIECE TOGETHER THE DIFFERENT
EXPLANATIONS AS TO WHY THERE WASN'T PREPARATION.
DO YOU HAVE SOME SENSE WHY THEY WEREN'T PREPARED FOR THIS, FROM
WHAT YOU'VE SEEN FROM NEWS REPORTS?
I'M ASKING YOU TO CURATE THE NEWS TO ME TO SEE IF YOU CAN
EXPLAIN FROM YOUR SUFFICIENT WHY THEY DIDN'T HAVE A SHOW OF FORCE
FOR WHAT WAS SO CLEARLY A DANGEROUS GROUP?
>> YEAH, I-- I CAN'T EXPLAIN IT, STEPHEN.
I-- WE WERE HIT AS A GOVERNMENT AFTER 9/11 FOR A FAILURE OF
IMAGINATION.
WE DIDN'T ANTICIPATE THE WAY THE TERRORISTS MIGHT COME AT US.
THIS WOULDN'T HAVE INVOLVED ANY IMAGINATION AT ALL.
THIS WAS JUST A FAILURE.
AND I CAN'T EXPLAIN IT.
THERE ARE LITTLE PIECES OF IT THAT I SEE, MAYBE BREAKDOWNS IN
COMMUNICATION, OR MAYBE A FEAR OF NOT BEING TOO AGGRESSIVE IN
THE POSTURE OF THE DEFENSE AROUND THE CAPITOL.
NONE OF THAT MAKES ANY SENSE TO ME.
IT'S GOING TO BE REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE AS A COUNTRY
UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED AS WE DID AT 9/11.
>> Stephen: THE OFFICIALS AT THE D.O.J. HELD A NEWS
CONFERENCE TODAY.
DID YOU GET A CHANCE TO SEE THAT?
>> YES.
>> Stephen: WHAT STOOD OUT FIRST OF ALL?
>> THEY'RE DOING THE WAY YOU EXPECT THEM TO DO.
THIS IS WHAT THE F.B.I. DOES BEST, WHICH IS TO FIND THE
PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE AND BRING THEM TO JUSTICE QUICKLY.
SO IF YOU WERE THERE AND YOU PARTICIPATED IN THAT ATTACK,
THERE'S GOING TO BE A KNOCK ON YOUR DOOR.
YOU SHOULD TURN YOURSELF IN NOW.
AND THEY'RE THINKING ABOUT TAS THEY SHOULD, AS A SEDITIOUS
CONSPIRACY AND INSURRECTION AGAINST THE UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT.
THAT'S THE FIRST THING THAT STRUCK ME, THAT THIS IS WHAT THE
F.B.I. DOES AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WANT THE F.B.I. TO DO.
>> Stephen: YOU SAY, "YOU SHOULD TURN YOURSELF IN," YOU
DON'T-- DO YOU MEAN JUST THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN NAMED THAT
THEY'RE SEARCHING FOR?
OR IF YOU KNOW YOU WERE THERE AND ENGAGED IN UNLAWFULL
ACTIVITY YOU SHOULD TURN YOURSELF IN BECAUSE THERE ARE
CAMERAS ALL OIFER THE PLACE AND THEY'RE GOING TO FIND YOU?
>> YEAH, IF YOU TRESPASSED ON THE PROPERTY, IF YOU WENT UP
THOSE STAIRS-- NOT EVEN INTO THE BUILDING-- IF YOU WENT UP THOSE
STAIRS YOU COMMITTED A CRIME.
IN YOU PARTICIPATED IN ASSAULTS ON THE POLICE OFFICERS, WENT
INSIDE THE BUILDING, ANY OF THAT, YOU ARE GOING TO BE FOUND.
THE BUREAU IS A HUMAN ORGANIZATION WITH LOTS OF FLAWS.
ONE THING IT DOES EXTREMELY WELL IS RELENTLESSLY TRACK DOWN
PEOPLE LIKE THIS.
>> Stephen: WERE YOU SURPRISED IT TOOK THIS LONG TO GET THIS
PRESS CONFERENCE FROM THE F.B.I.
AND THE D.O.J.
WE'VE ALL BEEN KIND OF RELYING ON CATCH-AS-CATCH-ICA
INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT WAS BEING DONE SO FAR TO APPREHEND PEOPLE.
>> YES, I WAS.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT AT ALL TIMES THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT BE
TRANSPARENT AROUND ITS WORK.
IT'S ONE OF THE REASONS I WROTE THE BOOK.
ESPECIALLY IN CRISIS, THE AMERICAN PRIME NEED TO HEAR THAT
ADULTS ARE ON THIS AND HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THEY'RE
DOING.
I WAS SURPRISED IT TOOK SO LONG.
>> Stephen: WE HEARD FROM D.O.J. AND F.B.I. OFFICIALS AT
THE PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY, WE HAVEN'T HEARD FROM DIRECTOR
WRAY.
SHOULD HE BE OUT THERE OUT FRONT TELLING US WHAT'S BEING DONE?
>> IN NORMAL TIMES, SURE.
BUT I-- I SPECULATE BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW.
I HAVEN'T SPOKEN TO HIM-- THAT HE IS A PERSON OF GREAT
INTEGRITY, TRYING TO STAY IN THE JOB AND NOT TO GIVE AN UNSTABLE
PRESIDENT AN EXCUSE TO DECAPITATE THE F.B.I. IN THE
MIDDLE OF A CRISIS.
THAT'S JUST SPECULATION, BUT IT'S INFORMED SPECULATION.
I COULD IMAGINE HIM WANTING TO BE CAREFUL NOT TO ANTAGONIZE THE
MAN IN THE WHITE HOUSE FOR ANOTHER EIGHT DAYS.
>> Stephen: SO IT'S REALLY IN THE INTEREST OF MAINTAINING THE
INVESTIGATIONS OR CONTINUITY AT THE BUREAU WOULD BE YOUR
SPECULATION?
IS THAT BASED-- >> THAT'S MY GUESS.
>> Stephen: IS THAT BASED ON ANY CONVERSATIONS YOU'VE HAD?
>> NO, IT'S JUST BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE, KNOWING THE BUREAU,
KNOWING THE KIND OF PERSON CHRIS WRAY SA PERSON OF GREAT
INTEGRITY, BUT VERY PRUDENT.
AND KNOWING THE KIND OF PRESIDENT WE HAVE.
IF HE GOES OUT THERE AND STARTS TALKING ABOUT SEDITIOUS
INCITEMENT COMMENTS BY PEOPLE THAT THEY'RE INVESTIGATING, THE
BUREAU MAY BE DECAPITATED WHEN WE NEED IT MOST.
>> Stephen: BUT THAT THESE LAWYERS WHO WENT OUT TODAY,
THESE INVESTIGATORS WHO WENT OUT TODAY, IT'S OKAY FOR THEM TO SAY
IT BECAUSE IN THE PRESIDENT'S POINT OF VIEW, THEY'RE NOBODIES.
>> THEY'RE CAREER PEOPLE NO ONE'S EVER HEARD OF.
KNOWING THE PRESIDENT'S PARANOIA, HE'LL PROBABLY TRY TO
CONNECT THAT QUICKLY TO THE DIRECTOR.
BUT AT LEAST IT GIVES THE DIRECTOR SOME SPACE SO AS NOT TO
PROMPT AN IMMEDIATE FIRING.
THAT WOULD BE VERY BAD FOR THE AGENCY AND THE COUNTRY.
>> Stephen: YOUR NEW BOOK IS CALLED "SAVING JUSTICE," AND IN
IT, YOU SAY THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE SHOULD NOT PURSUE A
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION OF THE PRESIDENT ONCE HE LEAVES OFFICE.
HAVE THE EVENTS OF THE LAST WEEK CHANGED YOUR MIND ABOUT THAT?
>> THAT WAS A REALLY HARD CALL WHEN I WROTE IT BACK IN THE
FALL.
IT'S EVEN HARDER NOW.
I THINK I'M STILL IN THE PLACE THAT THE COUNTRY IS BEST SERVED
BY NOT GIVING DONALD TRUMP SPACE ON OUR TELEVISION SCREENS IN A
COURT PROCEEDING IN D.C. FOR THE NEXT THREE OR FOUR YEARS.
>> Stephen: WHAT ABOUT SPACE IN AN EIGHT-BY-FIVE CELL?
>> I BELIEVE THE STATE PROSECUTORS IN NEW YORK SHOULD
PURSUE HIM FOR THE CROOK HE WAS BEFORE HE BECAME PRESIDENT.
AND IF THEY CONVICT HIM, THAT'S FINE.
I JUST DON'T THINK THAT THE MISSION JOE BIDEN HAS BEFORE
HIM, WHICH IS TO HEAL OUR COUNTRY BOTH SPIRITUALLY AND
LITERALLY, BECAUSE SO MANY OF OUR FELLOW AMERICANS ARE DYING,
IS NOT ADVANCED BY HAVING DONALD TRUMP GET WHAT HE WANTS MOST,
WHICH IS TO BE IN THE DRAMA, IN WASHINGTON EVERY SINGLE DAY.
I'D RATHER THE LIGHTS GO OUT, WHICH IS THE GREATEST PUNISHMENT
HEBD IMAGINE.
STAND ON YOUR LAWN AT MAR-A-LAGO AND YELL AT CARS, BUT NOT HAVE
THE LIGHTS ON THERE, AND LET JOE BIDEN GET ON WITH THE BUSINESS
OF THE UNITED STATES.
>> Stephen: WHAT MAKES YOU THINK HE'S NOT GOING TO GRAB FOR
THE SPOTLIGHT ANYWAY?
I MEAN, THERE ARE CRAVEN AND CYNICAL MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA WHO
WILL GIVE HIM ALL THE SPOTLIGHT THAT HE WANTS.
>> HE WILL, AND THAT'S WHAT MAKES IT SUCH A CLOSE CALL.
I THINK THE AMOUNT OF SPOTLIGHT HE COULD CLAIM WOULD BE SO MUCH
GREATER IF HE WAS WALKING IN AND OUT OF THE FEDERAL COURTHOUSE IN
D.C. AS PART OF "UNITED STATES VERSUS DONALD TRUMP."
THAT CIRCUS WOULD DOMINATE OUR NATION FOR PROBABLY ANOTHER
THREE YEARS OR MORE.
>> Stephen: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO WERE PART OF THIS
VIOLENT INSURRECTION, THESE PEOPLE WHO, IN MY OPINION, ARE
ACCESSORY TO MURDER.
WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN TO THEM?
BECAUSE I MEAN, I'M OPPOSED TO THE DEATH PENALTY, BUT SOMETHING
TERRIBLE HAS TO BE RAINED DOWN ON THESE PEOPLE SO THAT NO ONE
EVER BREATHES THE IDEA OF DOING IT AGAIN.
>> THEY SHOULD ALL COME TO SEE THE RULE OF LAW THAT'S THE SPINE
OF THIS COUNTRY UP VERY, VERY CLOSE.
DEPENDING ON UPON THEIR INVOLVEMENT, THEY SHOULD BE
BROUGHT TO JUSTICE AND PUNISHED SEVERELY.
I'M ALSO OPPOSED TO THE DEATH PENALTY BUT THEY SHOULD BE
PUNISHED SEVERELY.
THEY WERE PART OF A CONSPIRACY THAT RESULTED IN THE MURDER OF A
POLICE OFFICER.
THERE'S NOTHING MORE SERIOUS THAN THAT, IN AN ATTACK ON THE
CENTER OF OUR DEMOCRACY.
SO AMERICANS RULE OF LAW IS OUR-- IS OUR GREAT SPINE AND IT
SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO BEAR ON ALL OF THEM OVER THE NEXT DAYS AND
MONTHS.
>> Stephen: YOU HAD A UNIQUE VIEW OF THE PRESIDENT AND HIS
PSYCHE WHEN HE FELT LIKE HE WASN'T GETTING THE LOYALTY THAT
HE BELIEVED THAT HE DESERVED.
MITCH McCONNELL REPORTEDLY, BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, IS ACTUALLY
HAPPY THAT NANCY PELOSI AND THE DEMOCRATS ARE BRINGING FORWARD
THESE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT.
YOU HAVE PEOPLE LEAVING HIS CABINET.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS GOING ON IN THAT SQUIRREL CAGE OF A BRAIN OF
HIS RIGHT NOW?
>> SOMETHING REALLY SCARY.
BECAUSE THIS IS A PERSON, AS YOU KNOW, WHO-- FOR WHOM AFFIRMATION
IS LIKE OXYGEN.
HE CRAVES IT.
HE NEEDS IT.
AND NOW HE'S NOT ONLY NOT GETTING IT.
HE WILL PERCEIVE BETRAYAL BY THOSE CLOSEST TO HIM.
AND THIS IS GOING TO BE A VERY, VERY DIFFICULT TIME FOR OUR
COUNTRY OVER THE NEXT EIGHT DAYS.
>> Stephen: WE HAVE TO TAKE A QUICK BREAK, BUT WHEN WE COME
BACK, I'LL ASK DIRECTOR COMEY ABOUT THIS HILLARY CLINTON
HE MENTIONS IT HERE AND IT'S JUST A FASCINATING STORY.
♪ ♪ ♪
>> Stephen: HEY, EVERYBODY,
WE'RE BACK WITH THE FORMER DIRECTOR OF THE F.B.I. AND THE
AUTHOR OF "SAVING JUSTICE."
JAMES COMEY.
IN THE BOOK, YOU ALSO WRITE ABOUT THE CLINTON E-MAIL
INVESTIGATION AGAIN.
WHY DID YOU WANT TO REVISIT THAT?
HAVE YOU CHANGED YOUR THOUGHTS OVER WHETHER YOU DID THE RIGHT
THING?
>> NO, I REALLY DIDN'T WANT TO REVISIT IT.
IT'S A NIGHTMARE FROM WHICH I CAN'T AWAKEN, BUT I COULDN'T
TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF TRANSPARENCY AND OPERATING IN A
WAY WITHOUT POLITICAL INFLUENCE IN INVESTIGATIONS WITHOUT AT
LEAST TOUCHING THAT IN A BRIEF WAY AS I DO.
I WOULDN'T-- I WOULDN'T CHANGE ANYTHING, EXCEPT I WOULDN'T BE
INVOLVED IF I HAD A MAGIC WAND.
EVEN IF I COULD TRAVEL BACK IN TIME, I CAN'T MAKE A DECISION
BASED ON POLITICS, AS PAINFUL AS THAT IS.
AND DONALD TRUMP'S PRESIDENCY HAS BEEN A SOURCE OF ENORMOUS
PAIN FOR ALL OF US, INCLUDING ME.
>> Stephen: DID YOU WATCH THE SHOTIME SPECIAL WITH JEFF
DANIELS AS JIM COMEY?
>> I DID.
>> Stephen: WHAT DID YOU THINK?
WAS THAT-- WAS IT ACCURATE?
>> IT WAS ACCURATE.
I-- THE ONLY FEEDBACK I GAVE HIM IS HE SHOULD HAVE ACTED TALLER.
AND HE SAID, "THERE'S ONLY SO MUCH THEY CAN DO."
BUT I WAS INTIMIDATED BY-- THAT HE WAS PLAYING ME, AND I
ACTUALLY WAS VERY EMOTIONAL WATCHING IT.
IT BROUGHT BACK THE PAIN OF THE CLINTON E-MAIL SITUATION MY
INTERACTIONS WITH TRUMP.
HE CAPTURED THAT PAIN AND THE VALUES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF
JUSTICE AND THE F.B.I. IN AN AMAZING WAY.
HE'S AN INCREDIBLE TALENT.
>> Stephen: WHAT ABOUT BRENDAN GLEASON, RIGHT?
BRENDAN GLEASON IS THE ACTOR WHO PLAYED DONALD TRUMP.
I HAD NEVER SEEN A DEPICTION OF DONALD TRUMP THAT WASN'T IN ANY
WAY COMEDIC.
AND I FOUND IT POWERFUL AND CHILLING.
WAS THAT ACCURATE TO THE MAN YOU SAW BEHIND CLOSED DOORS?
>> YES.
I WAS ONLY ON SET ONE DAY, AND IT WAS TO WATCH THEM FILM THE
LOYALTY DINNER.
SO JUST ME AGAINST TRUMP, AS YOU MENTIONED, SEVEN DAYS AFTER HE
TOOK OFFICE.
AND WHAT GLEASON CAPTURED IS THE MENACE, THE PRIVATE MENACE OF
DONALD TRUMP THAT MOST PEOPLE DON'T GET TO SEE.
AGAIN, WITHOUT SATIRE, WITHOUT OVERPLAYING THE COMMUNICATED THE
MENACE OF THIS LA COSA NOSTRA BOSS THAT IS OUR PRESIDENT.
IT WAS SO POWERFUL IT LEFT ME WITH A SICK FEELING IN MY
STOMACH.
>> Stephen: ON PAGE 188 YOU WRITE, "I TRIED TO LIMIT MY
CONTACT WITH THE PRESIDENT, AVOIDING THE 'EYE OF SORREN' AS
I EXPLAINED O MY STAFF."
IF TRUMP IS SORIN, WHO ARE YOU IN THE SCENARIO.
I GUESS TREE BEARD, BUT DO YOU PICTURE YOURSELF AS ANY OF
CHARACTER.
>> I WAS BORN TO BE ONE OF THANTS AND HOPE TO BLEND INTO
THE FOREST LIKE I TRIED TO DO WITH MY BLUE SUIT YOU.
>> Stephen: ENDED OUR LAST INTERVIEW, WHICH WAS I THINK 17
YEARS AGO-- IF I COUNT THE RINGS IN MY SOUL-- BY SAYING YOU'RE
OPTIMISTIC THAT THIS COUNTRY'S VAVALUES ARE STRONG ENOUGH THAT
WILL NOT ONLY SURVIVE THIS.
WE WILL THRIVE.
ARE YOU STILL OPTIMISTIC AS WE FACE THE PRESENT CRISIS?
>> I AM.
I AM.
I THINK IN A WAY THIS WILL SERVE AS THE INFLECTION POINT THAT WE
NEEDED SO BADLY.
AND YOU SEE IT IN SOME OF THE MOVEMENT IN THE EARLY PUBLIC
OPINION SURVEYS.
I THINK THE-- THOSE PEOPLE LOST IN THE FOG OF FRAUD, OF LIES,
MORE AND MORE OF THEM WILL LEAVE THAT FOG BECAUSE OF EVENTS LIKE
THIS AND WANT REST OF US WILL BE AWAKENED TO THIS THING THAT
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN WAS RIGHT WHEN HE SAID OUR FOUNDERS GAVE US A
REPUBLIC, MADAM, IF YOU CAN KEEP IT.
WE HAVE TO KEEP IT, AND THIS IS THE MOMENT TO REMIND OURSELVES
OF THAT.
>> Stephen: FINAL QUESTION, IN OCTOBER OF 2019, YOU TOLD "THE
NEW YORK TIMES" "I HAVE A FANTASY ABOUT JANUARY 21, 2021,
DELETING MY TWITTER AND MOVING ON TO SOMETHING ELSE."
WE ARE NOW NINE, EIGHT-- HOW MANY DAYS?
EIGHT DAYS AWAY.
DO YOU STILL FEEL LIKE THAT?
>> I DO, BUT I FEEL LIKE ONE OF THOSE MOVIE WHERE'S THAT DATE IS
MOVING AWAY FROM ME.
IT'S GOING TO BE A VERY LONG EIGHT DAYS FOR ALL OF US.
BUT WHEN THAT DAY COMES, THE 21st COMES, I LOOK FORWARD
TO MOVING ON TO SOMETHING ELSE.
>> Stephen: WHAT-- WHAT'S NEXT?
WHAT ELSE ARE YOU PLANNING?
MORE BOOKS?
>> I'M DONE WRITING BOOKS ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT.
I'M TELL YOU THAT.
I'M GOING TO TEACH.
I SIGNED UP TO TEACH AT COLUMBIA.
SO I'LL BE TEACHING LAW STUDENTS AND BUSINESS STUDENTS AND OTHER
STUDENTS WHICH IS SOMETHING I'VE ALWAYS LOVED.
AND THEN I'LL FIGURE OUT WHAT I WANT TO DO BEYOND THAT.
>> Stephen: DIRECTOR, THANKS FOR BEING HERE.
HIS BOOK "SAVING JUSTICE: TRUTH, TRANSPARENCY, AND TRUST" IS
AVAILABLE NOW.
JAMES COMEY, EVERYBODY.
WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH THE STAR OF "RIVERDALE," LILI
REINHART.
♪ ♪ ♪ >> Stephen: HEY, EVERYBODY.
WELCOME BACK TO "A LATE SHOW."
MY NEXT GUEST IS AN ACTRESS YOU KNOW FROM "HUSTLERS," "CHEMICAL
HEARTS," AND "RIVERDALE."
>> YOU'RE HANDSOME.
>> LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON.
>> OH, MY GOSH.
DADDY.
♪ ♪ ♪ >> BETTY COOPER, YOU TAKE MY
BREATH AWAY.
>> JUDD JUGHEAD JONES, THE FEELI MUTUAL.
>> OKAY, GUYS, PICTURE TIME.
SMILE.
♪ ♪ ♪ >> Stephen: PLEASE WELCOME TO "A
LATE SHOW," LILI REINHART!
HEY, LILI.
>> HI!
>> Stephen: THANKS FOR BEING HERE.
NOW, OKAY, AS PEOPLE AT HOME CAN PROBABLY TELL FROM THAT CLIP,
SEASON 5 OF "RIVERDALE"?
SEASON 5?
>> YEAH.
>> Stephen: THERE YOU GO.
YOU GUYS-- THERE'S A PHOTO UP THERE-- THE WHOLE GANG IS GOING
TO PROM.
>> YEAH.
>> Stephen: IMPORTANT QUESTION: DID YOU, LILI
REINHART, GO TO PROM?
>> I DIDN'T.
I, UNFORTUNATELY, I STARTED ONLINE SCHOOL WHEN I WAS 16.
SO I COULD FOCUS-- SO I COULD FOCUS --
>> Stephen: SO CLOSE!
>> I KNOW.
SO I-- I DIDN'T GO TO PROM.
BUT I SAW ALL OF MY FRIENDS GOING TO PROM FROM AFAR.
BUT I WASN'T-- I WASN'T-- YOU KNOW, I WASN'T TOO UPSET ABOUT
IT, BECAUSE I TOLD MYSELF THAT I WAS GOING TO HAVE PLENTY OF
OPPORTUNITIES TO WEAR BEAUTIFUL DRESSES ON RED CARPETS.
AND, LUCKILY, THAT HAPPENED.
>> Stephen: IS IT TRUE THAT YOU AUDITIONS FOR "RIVERDALE" BY
SENDING IN A VIDEOTAPE FROM HOME?
>> YEAH, YEAH.
SO I SELF-TAPED FROM-- FROM HOME AND WAS ACTUALLY TOLD NO, THEY
WEREN'T INTERESTED.
THEY DIDN'T WANT ME.
SO I WAS LIKE, OKAY, MOVED ON WITH MY LIFE.
AND THEN I MOVED TO L.A. AND WENT IN, IN PERSON, AND THEN
BOOKED IT.
SO I ORIGINALLY WAS TOLD NO OFF OF MY SELF-TAPE.
>> Stephen: NOW, THIS SEASON-- AND CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG
HERE-- YOU FLASH FORWARD SEVEN YEARS.
LIKE, YOU LEAVE HIGH SCHOOL.
YOU GET SEVEN YEARS OLDER, AND ALL OF YOU ARE OLD AND UGLY NOW,
OBVIOUSLY, SEVEN YEARS.
ARE YOU YOUR OWN AGE IN ITS SERIES NOW?
>> YEAH, I'M NOW A YEAR OLDER IN "RIVERDALE" THAN I AM IN REAL
LIFE.
I'M PLAYING 25 NOW, AND I'M 24.
>> Stephen: YOU CAN TELL US ANYTHING-- CAN YOU TELL US
ANYTHING ABOUT THE JUMP AHEAD?
>> UHM...
UH...
I'M NOT A TEENAGER ANYMORE.
AND MY CHARACTER, BETTY COOPER, IS WORKING AS AN F.B.I. TRAINEE,
WHICH IS VERY EXCITING.
>> Stephen: WE JUST HAD THE DIRECTOR OF THE F.B.I.-- FORMER
DIRECTOR, JAMES COMEY, ON BEFORE HERE.
I SHOULD HOOK YOU GUYS UP.
HE CAN GIVE YOU SOME ADVICE ON HOW TO PLAY IT REAL.
>> GIVE ME SOME TIPS, I KNOW, YEAH.
IT'S BEEN REALLY COOL, THOUGH.
IT'S FUN.
>> Stephen: IN SEPTEMBER, YOU PUBLISHED YOUR FIRST BOOK.
IT'S A BOOK OF POETRY.
PUT IT RIGHT OVER HERE SO WE CAN SEE.
IT'S CALLED "SWIMMING LESSONS."
SO POETRY, YOU'RE GOING FOR THE BIG MONEY BY BUYING A POET.
IT'S JUST A CASH GRAB, OBVIOUSLY.
REQUEST YET SWIMMING LESSONS?" WHY IS IT CALLED THAT?
>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.
I THOUGHT OF THAT TITLE AS I WAS FALLING ASLEEP ONE NIGHT.
I WAS KIND OF GRASPING AT STRAWS.
MY EDITOR WAS TELLING ME I HAD, LIKE, ONE DAY LEFT TO TURN IN MY
TITLE.
AND I WAS LIKE-- AH!
REALLY, JUST "SWIMMING LESSONS" CAME ACROSS MY MIND.
"DOES THIS WORK?
YEAH, IT WORKS.
IT'S SWIMMING LESSONS.
IT'S KIND OF NOSTALGIC.
IT'S SOMETHING YOU DO WHEN YOU'RE YOUNG AND YOU'RE LEARNING
AND YOU'RE TRYING TO STAY AFLOAT, LIVE LIFE --
>> Stephen: LITERALLY ALIVE SO YOU DON'T DROWN.
>> RIGHT, RIGHT, EXACTLY.
SO I JUST THOUGHT-- I THOUGHT IT WAS A SWEET TITLE THAT KIND OF
MADE SENSE IN TERMS OF LEARNING AND TRYING THINGS FOR THE FIRST
TIME.
THE BOOK IS KIND OF ABOUT EXPLORING YOUR FIRST EXPERIENCES
OF LOVE AND HEARTACHE.
SO...
>> Stephen: DO YOU EVER FEEL LIKE MAYBE YOU NEED MORE
SWIMMING LESSONS SO YOU DON'T DROWN IN LIFE?
>> I'M ACTUALLY...
I'M PRETTY GOOD AT SWIMMING, LIKE, IN REAL LIFE.
BUT IN...
LIKE, SWIMMING IN A POOL, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO ACTUALLY
SWIMMING THROUGH LIFE, I'M WORKING ON IT.
I'M DOING THE BEST I CAN.
I COULD PROBABLY TAKE A COUPLE OF MORE LESSONS.
BUT THAT'S WHAT THERAPY IS, RIGHT?
>> Stephen: WE HAVE TO TAKE A QUICK BREAK BUT WE'LL BE RIGHT
BACK WITH MORE LILI REINHART.
♪ ♪ ♪ >> Stephen: HEY, EVERYBODY.
WE'RE BACK WITH STAR OF "RIVERDALE" AND THE AUTHOR OF
"SWIMMING LESSONS," LILI REINHART.
I UNDERSTAND YOU WROTE THIS BY PUTTING YOUR THOUGHTS OR PUTTING
YOUR IDEAS INTO THE NOTES" APPON YOUR PHONE.
IS THERE ANYTHING THAT DIDN'T MAKE IT INTO THE BOOKS?
>> I'M HANDY-DANDY, I WRITE EVERYTHING IN MY PHONE.
EVERYTHING.
I MAKE LISTS ALL THE TIME, AND ONE OF THE LISTS I HAVE
CURRENTLY IS-- I CREATED IT JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, AND IT
SAYS, "BUBLTH LIST," BUT I'VE ONLY COME UP WITH ONE THING SO
FAR.
AND THE ONE THING IS "I WANT TO GO TO CIRC DU SOLEIL HEAVILY
UNDER THE INFLUENCE."
>> Stephen: OF...?
>> THAT'S OPEN TO INTERPRETATION.
>> Stephen: IT'S LEGAL MOST PLACES NOW.
>> IT IS!
( LAUGHTER ) >> Stephen: WHAT COULD IT BE?
THAT'S A MYSTERY FOR THE F.B.I.
TO SOLVE.
OKAY, JUST A LITTLE-- WE HAVE TO GO HERE, BUT AS A LITTLE BONUS,
BESIDES WRITING POETRY, WHAT RELAXES YOU?
WHAT DO YOU DO JUST TO CHILL OUT AND LET GO?
>> WELL, I I AM ALSO A FEAR OF REDDIT.
I HEAR YOU'RE A FAN OF REDDIT, RIGHT?
>> Stephen: I AM, YEAH, YEAH.
I'VE BEEN ON THERE FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.
>> THAT'S WHAT I HEAR.
I'M A REDDIT FAN, TOO.
I SCROLL THROUGH REDDIT AND TIKTOK FOR HOURS AT NIGHT, WHICH
IS NOT WHAT YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO DO BEFORE YOU GO TO BED.
>> Stephen: DO YOU HAVE ANY SUBREDITZ?
DO YOU HAVE ANY FAVORITE SUBREDITZ?
>> I LOVE ODDLY SATISFYING.
>> Stephen: WHEN THE BROOM FITS EXACTLY BETWEEN THE TWO
CABINETS.
GIF RECIPES.
>> I DO, TOO.
>> Stephen: BEFORE I GO TO BED, LOVE IT.
>> "WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOUR DOG?" IS A GOOD ONE.
>> Stephen: DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE APPEAL OF "ROAST ME?"
I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE APPEAL OF "ROAST ME" WHERE YOU HOLD A
PIECE OF PAPER-- I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT AT ALL.
>> THOSE ARE SOME CONFIDENT PEOPLE.
ALTHOUGH, PEOPLE ROAST ME WITHOUT ME ASKING FOR IT, SO I
GUESS IT'S JUST PART OF MY LIFE.
>> Stephen: SEASON FIVE OF "RIVERDALE" PREMIERES JANUARY 20
ON THE CW.
REQUESTED SWIMMING LESSONS," LIL I'S BOOK OF POETRY, IS RACIAL
WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.
LATE SHOW," EVERYBODY.
TUNE IN TOMORROW WHEN MY GUESTS WILL BE SAMANTHA BEE AND
BREAKOUT STAR OF "NORMAL PEOPLE," PAUL MESCUL.
I HEAR HE'S VERY CUTE.
JAMES CORDEN IS NEXT.
GOOD NIGHT.
Captioning sponsored by CBS Captioned by