♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
>> I LOVE DEMOCRACY.
WELCOME HOME.
>> Announcer: IT'S "A LATE SHOW LIVE WITH STEPHEN COLBERT."
TONIGHT: PLUS STEPHEN WELCOMES
LIVE, "POD SAVE AMERICA" AND A SPECIAL PERFORMANCE OF
"TOGETHER."█ç FEATURING LIVE JON BATISTE AND
STAY HUMAN.
AND NOW, LIVE FROM THE ED SULLIVAN THEATER OFFICE
BUILDING IN NEW YORK CITY IT'S STEPHEN COLBERT!
>> Stephen: HEY, EVERYBODY!
WELCOME TO A SPECIAL LIVE "LATE SHOW."
I'M YOUR HOST, STEPHEN COLBERT.
WELL, YOU DID IT.
YOU SURVIVED THE LAST FOUR YEARS AND YOUR REWARD: A SHINY,
NEW, OLD PRESIDENT.
GOOD OL' JOE, BECAUSE TODAY AT 11:49 A.M., JOSEPH ROBINETTE
BIDEN JR. WAS SWORN IN AS THE 46th PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATES.
WE WATCHED IT.
EVIE'S HERE.
WE WATCHED IT TOGETHER.
THE INAUGURATION WAS A JOYFUL OCCASION.
LIKE I DO AT MOST HAPPY THINGS, I CRIED A LOT.
IT'S TRUE.
IT WAS EXTREMELY EMOTIONAL AND NOT ENTIRELY IN THE WAY THAT I
EXPECTED.
BECAUSE I HAVE TO TELL YOU, I HAVE ZERO GLOAT IN ME.
THERE'S NO ENDZONE DANCE IN ME.
WHAT I FEEL IS ENORMOUS RELIEF.
WATCHING THE INAUGURATION TODAY, I RECOGNIZED JUST HOW
WORRIED I'VE BEEN FOR MY COUNTRY.
BUT WE'VE ALL BEEN TOO DEEP FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS TO TRULY
REALIZE WHAT WE WERE DEEPLY IN.
IT'S LIKE WE'VE BEEN ON A SHIP THAT'S BEEN IN A STORM FOR FOUR
YEARS, AND WE JUST STEPPED ON TO DRY LAND.
I WANT TO KISS THE GROUND, BUT, YOU KNOW, COVID, SO I'M JUST
GOING TO FIST BUMP IT.
TODAY FELT LIKE A RETURN TO NORMALCY, EVEN THOUGH SO MUCH
ABOUT THE DAY WAS ABNORMAL.
DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, EVERYONE WAS WEARING MASKS, AND INSTEAD
OF PEOPLE THE MALL WAS FILLED WITH FLAGS.
LOOK AT THEM WAVING!
THEY'RE SO HAPPY!
I CAN'T BLAME THEM.
REMEMBER, IT'S BEEN A TOUGH FOUR YEARS FOR FLAGS, TOO.
BUT EVEN THOUGH IT WAS ABNORMAL, AT LEAST WE UNDERSTOOD WHY IT
WAS ABNORMAL.
ONE YEAR AGO TODAY, THE FIRST U.S. PATIENT WAS HOSPITALIZED
FOR COVID.
AND AFTER 12 MONTHS OF DENIAL AND SELF-DELUSION ABOUT THIS
PANDEMIC, WE'RE FINALLY ACCEPTING REALITY AND TAKING
PRECAUTIONS.
SO MANY TIMES DURING THE LAST FOUR YEARS, WE WERE ALL LIKE,
"WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING, AND WHY IS IT HAPPENING?"
AND THEY WOULDN'T TELL US.
AND THEY WOULDN'T TELL US THE REAL REASONS, BECAUSE EVERYTHING
WAS A SALES JOB.
AND THE WEIRDEST FEELING IS WHEN SOMETHING IS CLEARLY ABNORMAL
AND SOMEONE TRIES TO TELL YOU IT'S NOT.
WHAT WE SAW TODAY WAS THE OPPOSITE OF BEING GASLIT.
TODAY, WE WERE REALITY-BOARDED, AND I AM HERE FOR IT.
PERHAPS THE MOST POTENT SYMBOLISM FOR THIS INAUGURATION,
WAS THE GUY WHO HAD TO DISINFECT THE PODIUM AFTER EVER SPEAKER.
HIS WHOLE GIG WAS WIPING AWAY A DISEASE, MUCH LIKE THE VOTERS
DID.
RIGHT BEFORE THE BIDENS CAME OUT, SOMETHING VERY AUSPICIOUS
HAPPENED: IT STARTED SNOWING!
IT'S AN INAUGURATION MIRACLE!
(SINGING TO THE TUNE OF "LET IT SNOW" )
♪ OH, THE LAST GUY IN CHARGE WAS FRIGHTFUL,
♪ BUT THE NEW ONE SEEMS DELIGHTFUL
♪ AND "NOW" THERE'S FOUR YEARS TO GO
♪ PRESIDENT JOE!
PRESIDENT JOE!
PRESIDENT JOE! ♪ IN A SHOW OF NATIONAL UNITY, ALL
THE FORMER PRESIDENTS PAID THEIR RESPECTS.
JIMMY CARTER SENT A MESSAGE, THE BUSHES WERE THERE.
THE CLINTONS WERE THERE.
THE OBAMAS WERE THERE.
AND THAT'S ALL THE FORMER PRESIDENTS.
( LAUGHTER ) THEN CAME THE WORDS WE'VE BEEN
WAITING TO HEAR: >> PLEASE WELCOME, LADY GAGA!
>> Stephen: NO.
I MEAN YES.
I MEAN, YES, THAT WAS EXCITING, DON'T GET ME WRONG, BUT NOT THAT
ONE.
UH, SORRY.
JIM?
>> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE PRESIDENT-ELECT OF THE UNITED
STATES, JOSEPH ROBINETTE BIDEN JR. AND DR JILL BIDEN.
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ).
♪ ♪ ♪ >> Stephen: ISN'T THAT LOVELY?
A PRESIDENTIAL COUPLE HOLDING HANDS IN A WAY THAT DOESN'T LOOK
CONTRACTUALLY MANDATED.
WHEN IT WAS TIME FOR THE NATIONAL ANTHEM, THAT'S WHEN
LADY GAGA DID ARRIVE, AS ONLY GAGA CAN-- NOT ON THE RED
CARPET, BUT IN A RED CARPET.
DARING COUTURE FROM THE SPRING 2021 STAINMASTER LINE.
( LAUGHTER ) GAGA SANG THE NATIONAL ANTHEM
BEAUTIFULLY, AND I WAS ESPECIALLY MOVED BY THIS MOMENT.
♪ OUR FLAG WAS STILL THERE ♪ >> Stephen: AND, SURPRISE!
THE FLAG WAS STILL THERE!
RARELY IS THAT SONG A CLIFFHANGER, BUT JUST TWO█ç
WEEKS AGO, IN THAT SPOT, IT WAS IN DANGER OF BEING REPLACED BY A
RAMBO PHOTOSHOP.
FUN FACT: AFTER THE INAUGURATION, LADY GAGA DIDN'T
GET IN A LIMO.
THAT BIRD ON HER DRESS JUST CARRIED HER HOME.
THEN JOSEPH R. BIDEN TOOK THE OATH OF OFFICE WITH█ç HIS
HAND ON WHAT APPEARED TO BE THE BIBLE: DIRECTOR'S CUT EXTENDED
EDITION.
WHEN THE NEW PRESIDENT ADDRESSED THE NATION FOR THE FIRST TIME,
HE HAD A CLEAR MESSAGE FOR THE CAPITOL INSURRECTIONISTS:
>> HERE WE STAND, JUST DAYS AFTER A RIOTOUS MOB THOUGHT THEY
COULD USE VIOLENCE TO SILENCE THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE, TO STOP
THE WORK OF OUR DEMOCRACY, TO DRIVE US FROM THIS SACRED
GROUND.
IT DID NOT HAPPEN.
IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN.
NOT TODAY, NOT TOMORROW, NOT EVER.
NOT EVER.
( APPLAUSE ) >> Stephen: STIRRING WORDS THAT
I HOPE THE RIOTERS HEAR.
ON THE TV IN THE PRISON DAY ROOM.
THE NEW PRESIDENT WENT ON: >> THIS IS A GREAT NATION.
WE ARE GOOD PEOPLE.
>> Stephen: IT'S SO STRANGE TO HEAR SOMEBODY SAY THAT WE'RE A
GREAT NATION, WITHOUT THEN HEARING ABOUT WHICH OF US ARE
RADICAL SOCIALIST ANTIFAS INTENT ON DESTROYING OUR
HERITAGE WITH LOW-FLOW TOILET FLUSHES.
THE THEME OF THE DAY WAS "AMERICA UNITED," SO
PRESIDENT BIDEN CALLED ON THE NATION TO STEP BACK FROM TOXIC
PARTISANSHIP.
>> WE CAN JOIN FORCES, STOP THE SHOUTING AND LOWER THE
TEMPERATURE.
>> Stephen: AND THEN SOMEONE RAISES THE TEMPERATURE, AND I'M
LIKE "WHO TOUCHED THE THERMOSTAT?
YOU KNOW THE RULES AT POP'S HOUSE."
AND EVERYONE IS LIKE "WASN'T ME."
AND I'M LIKE, "WELL I'M PUTTING IT BACK TO 68.
WE'RE NOT HEATING THE WHOLE DAMN NEIGHBORHOOD HERE."
"JILL GET ME THE CELLO TAPE.
I'M TAPING THIS SUCKER DOWN!" THEN BIDEN ISSUED A STIRRING
CALL FOR THE NATION TO COME TOGETHER:
>> THIS IS OUR HISTORIC MOMENT OF CRISIS AND CHALLENGE AND
UNITY IS THE PATH FORWARD.
AND WE MUST MEET THIS MOMENT AS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
IF WE DO THAT, I GUARANTEE YOU WE WILL NOT FAIL.
WE HAVE NEVER EVER, EVER, EVER, FAILED IN AMERICA WHEN WE HAVE
ACTED TOGETHER.
>> Stephen: SOMEONE CLEARLY NEVER SAW THE "CATS" MOVIE.
( LAUGHTER ) PRESIDENT BIDEN QUOTED SAINT
AUGUSTINE AND SAID A COUNTRY CAN BE JUDGED ON WHAT THEY LOVE AND
THEN ASKED THIS IMPORTANT QUESTION:
>> WHAT ARE THE COMMON OBJECTS WE AS AMERICANS LOVE?
>> Stephen: UH, MELTED CHEESE?
SAUCY NETFLIX DRAMAS?
VIDEOS OF CATS KNOCKING STUFF OFF DESKS?
THAT FEELING WHEN YOU FIND $20 IN THE POCKET OF A JACKET YOU
HAVEN'T WORN SINCE LAST YEAR?
MEGHAN THE STALLION?
JALAPENO POPPERS?
JALAPENO POPPERS!
AT 78 BIDEN BECAME THE OLDEST PRESIDENT EVER TOIC TATHE OATH
OF OFFICE.
NOT THAT HE WAS COMPLAINING, BUT THERE'S A LOT OF WORK TO DO.
>> FOLKS, THIS IS A TIME OF TESTING.
WE FACE AN ATTACK ON DEMOCRACY AND ON TRUTH, A RAGING VIRUS,
GROWING INEQUITY, THE STING OF SYSTEMIC RACISM, A CLIMATE IN
CRISIS.
>> Stephen: THAT'S A HELL OF A LIST.
HE SHOULD PROBABLY PUT THOSE ON THE WHITE HOUSE CHORE WHEEL.
"ALL RIGHT, IT'S WEDNESDAY!
MAYOR PETE, YOUR TURN TO TAKE OUT THE RECYCLING AND END
SYSSYSSYSTEMIC RACISM OR NOW ALLOWANCE, MISTER.
WHO TOUCHED THE THERMOSTAT?
WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?
WHAT'S GOING ON?
WHAT, ARE THE SQUIRRELS PAYING THE BILLS NOW?"
( LAUGHTER ) IN ONE PARTICULARLY MOVING
MOMENT, BIDEN QUOTED LINCOLN WHEN HE SIGNED THE EMANCIPATION
PROCLAMATION.
>> IF MY NAME EVER GOES DOWN INTO HISTORY, IT WILL BE FOR
THIS ACT, AND MY WHOLE SOUL IS IN IT.
MY WHOLE SOUL IS IN IT.
TODAY, ON THIS JANUARY DAY, MY WHOLE SOUL IS IN THIS.
>> Stephen: IT'S SO NICE TO HAVE A PRESIDENT WITH A SOUL
AGAIN.
THE PREFTS ONE SOLD HIS TO THE DEVIL AND DIDN'T EVEN GET
GEORGIA OUT OF THE DEAL.
AS STIRRING AS BIDEN'S SPEECH WAS, IT WASN'T AS HISTORIC AS
HIS OPENING ACT, BECAUSE TODAY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OUR
244-YEAR HISTORY, THE UNITED STATES HAS A FEMALE VICE
PRESIDENT.
IT'S A MOMENT THAT FUTURE GENERATIONS WILL LOOK BACK ON
AND SAY, "WOW, THAT TOOK A LONG TIME."
NOT ONLY I HARRIS OUR FIRST FEMALE VICE PRESIDENT.
SHE'S OUR FIRST BLACK VICE PRESIDENT, OUR FIRST SOUTH
ASIAN-AMERICAN VICE PRESIDENT, AND THE FIRST VICE PRESIDENT IN
FOUR YEARS WHO DOESN'T THINK YOGURT IS TOO SPICY.
IT WAS MOVING TO WATCH VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS BEING SWORN IN
BY SUPREME COURT JUSTICE SOTOMAYOR.
AND IT GOT A VERY EXCITED REACTION FROM JOE BIDEN.
>> THAT I WILL WELL AND FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE.
>> THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE ON WHICH I AM█ç ABOUT TO ENTER.
>> THE DUTYIES OF THE OFFICE UPON WHICH I AM ABOUT TO ENTER.
>> SO HELP ME GOD.
>> ALL RIGHT!
>> Stephen: "ALL RIGHT!" THAT'S REFRESHING.
IN JUST TWO SHORT WEEKS THAT DAIS HAS GONE FROM ALT-RIGHT TO
ALL RIGHT!
VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS' SWEARING IN WAS FOLLOWED BY A PERFORMANCE
OF "AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL" BY J-LO, WHO INCLUDED A SHOUT-OUT
IN SPANISH ( SPEAKING SPANISH )
>> Stephen: HECK, YEAH!
MOVEOSE GRACIAS, MISS LO.
DON'T BE FOOLED BY THE SHADES THAT ARE ROCK.
DIDN'T THINK THAT JACK WAS COMING, DID YOU, JACK.
THERE'S ALWAYS ONE MORE JACK THAN YOU THINK, JACK.
JACK.
( LAUGHTER ) THEN, SENATOR ABEY KLOBUCHAR
LIGHTENED THINGS UP A BIT.
>> THIS IS THE FIRST INAUGURATION IN THE HISTORY OF
AMERICA WHERE J-LO WAS THE WARM-UP ACT FOR CHIEF JUSTICE
ROBERTS.
>> Stephen: MAYBE, BUT NOT THE LAST.
I'M HOPING FOR THE 2022 SUPER BOWL HALF TIME SHOW.
THE INTERNET WENT ABSOLUTELY ABECAUSE FOR THIS PICTURE OF
SENATOR BERNIE STANDERS.
THE VERMONT IS STRONG WITH THIS ONE, IN A PARKA AND GIANT WOOLEN
MITTENS.
BUT NOTICE THE ONE PART OF HIS BODY THAT IS NOT COVERED.
BERNIE, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING!
DON'T YOU KNOW THAT 99% OF YOUR BODY HEAT ESCAPES OUT OF THE TOP
1%?
THERE WERE A LOT OF HIGHLIGHTS DURING THE CEREMONY, BUT A REAL
STANDOUT WAS INAUGURAL POET, 22-YEAR-OLD AMANDA GORMAN.
>> IF WE'RE TO LIVE UP TO OUR OWN TIME, THEN VICTORY WON'T LIE
IN THE BLADE BUT IN ALL THE BRIDGES WE'VE MADE.
THAT IS THE PROMISE TO GLADE THE HILL WE CLIMB.
>> Stephen: BEAUTIFUL, STIRRING WORDS.
AND A NICE CHANGE FROM THE LAST ADMINISTRATION.
THE CLOSEST THEY CAME TO POETRY WAS, "I, "HIKU.
THE YOUNG POET LAUREATE SUMMED UP THE CHALLENGES FACING OUR
COUNTRY.
>> BEING AMERICAN IS MORE THAN A PRIDE WE INHERIT.
IT'S THE PAST WE STEP INTO AND HOW WE REPAIR IT.
>> Stephen: YES, HOW DO YOU REPAIR THE PAST?
HAVE WE TRIED UNPLUGGING THE PAST AND PLUGGING IT BACK IN
AGAIN?
BECAUSE THAT WORKS ON EVERYTHING ELSE.
BUT HOWEVER WE FIX THIS COUNTRY, IT'S NOT THE NEW
ADMINISTRATION'S WORK ALONE.
IT IS UP TO ALL OF US, AS IT ALWAYS IS.
IN WHATEVER WAY WE CAN.
AND PRESIDENT BIDEN, VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS, YOU HAVE OUR
PRAYERS, OUR BEST WISHES, AND OUR EVERY CONFIDENCE.
WE'VE GOT A GREAT SHOW FOR YOU TONIGHT.
MY GUEST ARE JON LOVETT, JON FAVREAU, AND TONY VIETOR, FROM
"POD SAVE AMERICA."
BUT WHEN WE RETURN, THE PRESIDENT'S FIRST DAY AT WORK.
STICK AROUND.
♪ ♪ ♪
>> Stephen: HEY, EVERYBODY, WELCOME BACK TO A SPECIAL LIVE
"LATE SHOW"."
LET'S SAY HELLO TO OUR FRIEND, MR. JON BATISTE.
HEY, JON, HOW ARE YOU?
>> Jon: I'M VERY, VERY GOOD TODAY.
>> Stephen: SO AM I.
SO AM I.
DID YOU GET-- DID YOU GET A CHANCE TO WATCH THE CEREMONIES
TODAY?
>> Jon: YES, I DID.
I JUST FELT IT EVEN BEFORE I TURNED IT ON, THE COUNTENANCE OF
THE NATION HAS BEEN LIFTED.
AND I WAS SO HAPPY TO SEE PEOPLE COMING TOGETHER AND UNITING.
AND WE'RE GOING FORWARD.
>> Stephen: RIGHT.
IT WAS A REAFFIRMATION OF THE BEAUT AND THE MAJESTY OF
DEMOCRACY, AND THE PEOPLE'S WILL.
ESPECIALLY IN THAT SPACE THAT HAD BEEN SO HEARTBREAKINGLY
VIOLATED TWO WEEKS AGO.
IT WAS JUST A LOVELY, CLEANSING MOMENT.
>> Jon: YES, YES.
IT FELT LIKE THE WAY THAT THINGS WERE SUPPOSED TO BE FOR FOUR
YEARS, AND WE FORGOT.
AND THEN WE WERE REMINDED TODAY.
WE TURNED ON THE TV, AND WE SEE IT IN ACTION.
OKAY, NOW WE'RE BACK IN ORDER.
>> Stephen: EVERYONE WAS BLOWN AWAY BY THE YOUNG POET LAUREATE,
AMANDA GORMAN.
I UNDERSTAND YOU KNOW HER.
YOU DID A PROJECT WITH HER.
WHAT WAS THAT?
>> Jon: WE DID A DUET AND TRIBUTE TO THE BUILDERS OF THE
EMPIRE STATE BUILDING, WHO A LOT OF THEM ARE UNKNOWN, AND EVEN
DIED IN BUILDING THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING.
AND SHE WAS AMAZING WHEN WE DID THIS.
IT WAS SO GREAT TO WORK WITH HER, AND TO SEE HER TODAY, I WAS
SO PROUD.
>> Stephen: SHE KILLED IT.
YES, ABSOLUTELY.
I'D LOVE TO HAVE HER ON AND DO SOMETHING WITH YOU.
THAT WOULD BE BEAUTIFUL IF THE TWO OF YOU COULD DO SOMETHING
TOGETHER.
>> Jon: OH, I'D LOVE THAT.
I'LL TELL HER.
SHE'S JUST AMAZING AND I LOVED THAT EVERYBODY GOT TO BE SEEING
HISTORY BEING MADE IN SO MANY WAYS TODAY.
>> Stephen: JON, DO YOU HAVE A LITTLE OCCASIONAL MUSH FOR THE
MOMENT?
>> Jon: OH, YEAH, I LIKE THE WAY GARTH DID HIS THING.
( "AMAZING GRACE ) >> Stephen: THANK YOU, JON.
JON BATISTE, EVERYBODY.
WELL, FOLKS, PRESIDENT BIDEN IS NOW OFFICIALLY IN CHARGE, AND
THIS AFTERNOON, HE HIT THE GROUND PEN FIRST, SIGNING AN
UNPRECEDENTED 17 EXECUTIVE ACTIONS TO DISMANTLE HIS
PREDECESSOR'S LEGACY.
LOOK THAT PHOTO!
AT LAST, THE RESOLUTE DESK IS BEING USED FOR SOMETHING OTHER
THAN A TV TRAY TO HAWK PINTO BEANS.
PRESIDENT BIDEN SIGNED ORDERS TO HALT CONSTRUCTION ON THE BORDER
WALL, END THE MUSLIM TRAVEL BAN, AND REVOKE APPROVAL OF THE
KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE.█ç HE'S REVERSING EVERYTHING FROM
THE LAST FOUR YEARS, EVEN TAKING EVEN GETTING RID OF THE WARNING
LABEL ON BLEACH THAT SAYS YUM-YUM.
HE IS ALSO SENDING AWE POWERFUL MESSAGE TO THE INTERNATIONAL
COMMUNITY.
BABY, WE GOING THROUGH SOME STUFF.
PLEASE TAKE US BACK.
THE UNITED STATES UPON REJOIN THE PARIS CLIMATE ACCORD AND█ç T
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION.
THE THREE THINGS HIS PREDECESSOR HATED MOST: THE WORLD, HEALTH,
AND ORGANIZATION.
HE'S NOT STOPPING AT DAY ONE.
WITH THIS SPIRIT WEEK AT THE WHITE HOUSE, WE'VE GOT THEMES,
BABY.
THURSDAY'S THE PANDEMIC.
FRIDAY'S THE ECONOMY.
AND NEXT WEEK, HE'S DOING CLIMATE ON WEDNESDAY, HEALTH
CARE ON THURSDAY, AND SATURDAY NIGHT, THE PROM THEME IS GOING
TO BE "COMPETENCE UNDER THE SEA."
( LAUGHTER ) ONE ORDER THAT COULD HAVE A
MAJOR IMPACT IS THE ONE BIDEN CALLS "THE 100 DAYS MASKING
CHALLENGE," IN WHICH THE PRESIDENT IS ASKING AMERICANS TO
WEAR MASKS FOR 100 DAYS, WHICH I SUPPORT, BUT IT'S A LITTLE ODD
TO HAVE AN EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT ASKS US TO DO SOMETHING.
LINCOLN DIDN'T SIGN THE EMANCIPATION SUGGESTION.
WHILE HE WAS AT THE RESOLUTE DESK, BIDEN FOUND A SURPRISE
FROM HIS PREDECESSOR.
>> THE PRESIDENT WROTE A VERY GENEROUS LETTER.
BECAUSE IT WAS PRIVATE, I WILL NOT TALK ABOUT IT UNTIL I TALK
TO HIM.
BUT, YOU KNOW, IT WAS GENEROUS.
>> Stephen: WE HERE AT THE "LATE SHOW" HAVE ACQUIRED A COPY
OF THE LETTER.
"DEAR JOE, I'LL GIVE YOU $10 MILLION FOR A PARDON.
ALSO, CAN I BORROW $10 MILLION?" BIDEN CHANGED SOME OF THE DECOR,
SWAPPING THE PREVIOUS PRESIDENT'S PORTRAIT OF ANDREW
JACKSON TO ONE OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.
THAT'S NICE, REPLACING A NOTORIOUSLY RACIST PRESIDENT
WITH A CELEBRATING FOUNDING FATHER.
PLUS TRADING A JACKSON FOR A BENJAMIN, YOU CLEAR ABOUT 80
BUCKS.
PRESIDENT BIDEN WASN'T THE ONLY ONE TO HAVE A BUSY FIRST DAY.
AS VICE PRESIDENT, KAMALA HARRIS IS PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, AND
TODAY SHE PRESIDED OVER THE CHAMBER, SWEARING IN NEW
SENATORS WHEN THIS HAPPENS.
>> THE CHAIR LAYS BEFORE THE SENATE TWO CERTIFICATES, FOR THE
STATE OF GEORGIA, AND THE CERTIFICATE OF APPOINTMENT TO
FILL THE VACANCY CREATED BY THE RESIGNATION OF FORMER SENATOR
KAMALA D. HARRIS OF CALIFORNIA.
( LAUGHTER ) ( APPLAUSE )
YEAH, THAT WAS VERY WEIRD.
>> Stephen: IT FEELS LIKE REALITY JUST SUNK IN WHEN SHE
WAS READING THAT.
"OH, THERE'S A VACANCY?
I WONDER WHO LEFT?
KAMALA HARRIS OF CALIFORNIA?
I'M THAT PERSON.
WELL, SOMEBODY SHOULD REALLY TELL THE VICE PRESIDENT.
WHAT!
LAUGH" BIDEN'S FIRST DAY CULMIN ANTI-ED IN A STAR-STUDDED
TELEVISION EVENT, CELEBRATING AMERICA, FEATURING JON BON VOFY,
DEMI LOVATO AND FOOOFIGHTERS.
>> THERE IS ONLY ONE THUNG I CAN SAY ABOUT THE WAR IN VIETNAM.
>> Stephen: SORRY, SORRY.
THAT'S THE MEMORIAL.
WRONG HANKS.
JIM?
THERE'S HANKS IN HIS MOST CHALLENGING ROLE YET AS A HIT
MAN ABOUT TO STRANGLE THE STATUE OF LINCOLN.
THE NIGHT HAD EVERYTHING-- SPEECHES FROM THE NEW PRESIDENT,
THE NEW VICE PRESIDENT, THE OLD PRESIDENTS.
AND TO CLOSE OUT THE EVENING IN A STUNNING DISPLAY OF PATRIOTISM
AND LITERALISM, THEY SHOT FIREWORKS AS KATY PERRY SANG
"FIRE WORK."
I'M GLAD THEY DIDN'T GO WITH THE ORIGINAL PLAN-- HAVING HER SING
"ROAR" AS THEY RELEASED A PACK OF LIONS.
DURING THE FIREWORKS DISPLAY, SO LARGE I BELIEVE IT VIOLATED THE
PARIS CLIMATE ACCORD, I FELT HOPEFUL THINGS WILL GET BETTER.
YES, THERE IS STILL A PANDEMIC AND RACISM.
AND I BET DOLLARS TO DONUTS ARE THERE ARE ACTUALLY SEDITIONISTS
IN CONGRESS, BUT TONIGHT, THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES,
STOOD ON THE BALCONY OF THE WHITE HOUSE AND WORE A MASK.
BABY STEPS.
WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH THE COHOSTS OF "POD SAVE AMERICA."
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
>> Stephen: HEY, WELCOME BACK, EVERYBODY.
MY GUESTS TONIGHT ARE THE FOUNDERS OF "CROOKED MEDIA" AND
CO-HOSTS OF "POD SAVE AMERICA."
PLEASE WELCOME BACK TO "A LATE SHOW," JON FAVREAU, JON LOVETT,
AND TOMMY VIETOR!
FELLAS!
GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN!
>> YOU, TOO.
>> YEAH, IT'S A GOOD DAY.
>> Stephen: IT IS, WELL, "POD SAVE AMERICA," IS AMERICA SAVED?
HOW ARE YOU FEELING?
>> I THINK AMERICA IS RELIEVED.
BEATING... TOOK A LITTLE LONGER THAN WE HOPED.
DONALD TRUMP IS GONE.
JOE BIDEN AND KAMALA HARRIS ARE RUNNING THE SHOW.
MITCH McCONNELL IS NO LONGER THE HEAD OF THE SENATE.
IT'S A PRETTY GOOD DAY.
>> Stephen: IT TRICKLED IN.
>> I FEEL LIKE AMERICA SURVIVED A NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCE, AND WE
HAVE, LIKE, GIVEN OURSELVES MAYBE ONE MORE CHANCE.
HOPEFULLY MORE, BUT MAYBE ONE MORE CHANCE.
AND IT IS ACTUALLY-- IT'S-- IT'S INSPIRING BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I
WAS WORRIED WHEN TRUMP WON.
MY BIGGEST FEAR WAS THAT PEOPLE WOULD BE SO CYNICAL AND SO DOWN
THA THEY WOULDN'T WANT TOPARTICIPAT
AWAY FROM POLITICS, THAT THEY WOULDN'T GET INVOLVED.
AND THE FACT THAT SO MANY PEOPLE DID IS THE REASON THAT WE'RE
HERE TODAY, IS THE REASON THAT JOE BIDEN IS PRESIDENT RIGHT
NOW.
>> Stephen: WELL, JON, AS OBAMA'S FORMER HEAD
SPEECHWRITER, YOU'RE AN EXPERT AT INAUGURAL ADDRESSES.
WHAT STOOD OUT TO YOU TODAY?
>> A LOT OF INAUGURALS ARE PRESIDENTS LIKE TRYING TO DO AN█
IMPRESSION OF J.F.K.'S ADDRESS, SO THEY END UP BEING, LIKE, A
LOT OF FLOWERY RHETORIC, AND THEY DON'T ACTUALLY SAY MUCH.
I LOVE JOE BIDEN'S BECAUSE I THINK HE MADE A REAL ARGUMENT
ABOUT UNITY.
AND, YOU KNOW, HE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT IT'S ALWAYS BEEN DIFFICULT
TO OVERCOME RACISM AND DIVISION AND NATIVISM.
BUT HE SAID AT EVERY BIG MOMENT, ENOUGH OF US-- AND HE REPEATED
"ENOUGH OF US--" CAME TOGETHER TO CARRY ALL OF US FORWARD.
AND THEN HE OFFERED A REALLY MOVING LESSON FROM HIS OWN
EXPERIENCE, I THOUGHT.
HE SAID, "HERE'S THE THING ABOUT LIFE.
THERE'S NO ACCOUNTING FOR WHAT FATE WILL DEAL YOU.
THERE ARE SOME DAYS WHEN WE NEED A HAND.
THERE ARE OTHERS WE'RE CALLED TO LEND A HAND.
THAT IS HOW WE MUST BE WITH ONE ANOTHER."
AND I THOUGHT THAT WAS JUST A REALLY BEAUTIFUL SENTIMENT FROM
HIM.
>> Stephen: UNITY, OF COURSE, HAS BEEN A THEME LEADING UP TO
THE INAUGURATION, AND IT WAS ALL THROUGH THE DAY.
LOVETT, WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF THOSE CALLS FOR UNITY?
DO YOU THINK WE HAVE A CHANCE?
HE ACKNOWLEDGED THE DIVISIVENESS IN THE COUNTRY, BUT DO YOU THINK
WE HAVE A CHANCE TO BOUNCE BACK FROM THAT NADER THAT WE SAW ON
THE CAPITOL STEPS TWO WEEKS AGO?
>> I THOUGHT WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THE INAUGURAL IS IT WASN'T-- IT
WAS HOPEFUL WITHOUT BEING NAIVE.
AND IT TALKED ABOUT UNITY IN A WAY THAT I HAVEN'T REALLY HEARD
JOE BIDEN TALK ABOUT IT IN THE PAST, WHICH IS THAT IT WASN'T--
HE DIDN'T TALK ABOUT IT AS SOMETHING YOU BEG FOR.
HE TALKED ABOUT IT AS SOMETHING YO FIGHT FOR.
IF WE WANT TO HAVE SHARED FACTS, IF WE WANT SOTEE SHARED
HUMANITY, IF WE WANT A NICE THING, PEOPLE DON'T TRY TO BURN
THE CAPITOL DOWN WHEN THEY LOSE AN ELECTION, THEN WE DON'T JUST,
LIKE, BEG OUR OPPONENTS TO BE NICE.
WE POINT OUT THE FORCES AND MAKE PEOPLE PAY A POLITICAL PRICE FOR
EMBOLDENING THE FORCES OF PROPAGANDA, RACISM, BIGOTRY AND
LIES WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH FOR FOUR YEARS.
AND HE WAS VERY CLEAR ABOUT THAT.
AND I THOUGHT THAT WAS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IF SOMETHING COMES OUT
OF THE LAST FOUR YEARS, FOUR YEARS OF SOMEBODY LYING TO US,
IT CAN BE THAT WE ARE FINALLY, COMPLETELY HONEST ABOUT HOW
BROKEN THINGS HAVE GOTTEN, HOW DANGEROUS SOME OF THESE FORCES
ARE, AND WHAT IT WILL TAKE TO FIX IT.
AND THAT, TO ME, WAS VERY HOPEFUL AND EXCITING.
THAT WAS WHEN I FELT THE EMOTION OF THE DAY THE MOST, I THINK.
>> Stephen: TO ME, IT SEEMED LIKE THE ARGUMENT, ON A CERTAIN
LEVEL WAS, LET'S FIND UNITY, IF ONLY ON A UNITY THAT FACTS
MATTER, A UNITY THAT HUMAN BEINGS ARE AFFORDED DIGNITY.
A UNITY THAT OUR INSTITUTIONS THAT SUSTAIN OUR DEMOCRACY ARE
WORTH FIGHTING FOR.
ANOTHER THING THAT BIDEN HAS A UNIQUE ABILITY TO ADDRESS IS
LOSS AND GRIEF.
AND, TOMMY, HOW-- WHY DO YOU THINK IT IS SO IMPORTANT THAT--
FOR INSTANCE, THAT LAST NIGHT HE WENT TO THE REFLECTING POOL AND
TOOK THAT MOMENT OF SILENCE AND REMINDED US THE NECESSITY FOR
THAT RECOGNITION?
>> YEAH, LOOK, EVERYONE THAT IS-- THAT HAS WORKED FOR JOE
BIDEN OR WORKED AROUND HIM HAS A STORY ABOUT A TIME WHEN HE
REACHED OUT TO YOU WHEN YOU WERE STRUGGLING OR, LIKE, YOU SAW HIM
GIVE HIS CELL PHONE OUT TO A STRANGER HE MET AT AN EVENT WHO
EXPERIENCED LOSS AND HE ACTUALLY STAYED IN TOUCH WITH THEM.
IT'S THE CORE OF WHO HE IS IS.
THE MAN EXPERIENCED THIS UNIMAGINABLE LOSS AND TRAGEDY IN
HIS LIFE AND HE CAME AWAY WITH IT WITH THIS BOTTOMLESS WELL OF
EMPATHY FOR OTHERS.
WHAT I THINK THAT MEANS FOR US AS PRESIDENT NOW IS HE IS GOING
TO VIEW COVID AS A HUMAN PROBLEM AND NOT A POLITICAL PROBLEM.
TRUMP GAVE UP ON MANAGING COVID.
HE DIDN'T WANT NATIONAL TESTING BECAUSE HE THOUGHT MORE CASES
MADE HIM LOOK BAD.
HE DIDN'T WANT TO GIVE STATES MONEY TO DISTRIBUTE THE
VACCINES, BECAUSE HE DIDN'T WANT TO MAKE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNORS
LOOK GOOD.
IT'S TRULY SHOCKING THAT WE HAVE HAD 400,000 DEATHS.
THERE HAS BEEN NO MEMORIAL SERVICE UNTIL TODAY.
BUT WHAT I THINK BIDEN SAID THROUGH THE EVENT AND THE COVID
PLANT HE ANNOUNCEDDED IS, "I WILL GRIEVE WITH YOU.
I WILL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM, AND I WILL OWN IT,
BECAUSE WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER."
THAT IS A VERY DIFFERENT VISION OF LEADERSHIP.
>> Stephen: YOU GUYS WORKED ON CAMPAIGNS.
DO YOU THINK IF THE LAST PRESIDENT HAD JUST TAKEN ONE
MOMENT TO ADDRESS THE GRIEF OF THE NATION, OR TO ACKNOWLEDGE
THE LOSS, HE MIGHT STILL BE PRESIDENT TODAY?
>> YES.
I MEAN, UNFORTUNATELY.
( LAUGHS ) BECAUSE I THINK HE SHOULDN'T BE
PRESIDENT FOR A NUMBER OF OTHER REASONS.
>> Stephen: SURE.
>> BUT I THINK AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC, THERE WAS
ABSOLUTELY A MOMENT WHERE THE COUNTRY WAS YEARNING FOR ALEADER
NECESSARILY AGREE WITH THAT PERSON, EVEN IF THEY DIDN'T VOTE
FOR THAT PERSON.
AND HE COULDN'T SHOW EVEN A MODICUM OF EMPATHY FOR OTHERS,
BECAUSE HE IS A NARCISSIST, OBSESSED WITH HIMSELF.
AND THAT WAS BASICALLY THE DEFINING CHARACTERISTIC OF THE
ENTIRE PRESIDENCY, WAS SELFISHNESS.
>> Stephen: LET'S GET TO AN IMPORTANT SUBJECT, GAGA, J-LO,█ç
GARTH BROOKS.
LOVETT, DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE PERFORMANCE TODAY?
WHAT LEFT OUT?
>> OBVIOUSLY, AS A GAY AMERICAN, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT I CHOOSE
GAGA.
( LAUGHTER ) I MIGHT --
>> Stephen: SURE, LEGALLY.
>> LEGAL ME SPEAKING.
AMAAMANDA GORMAN'S POEM WAS, OBVIOUSLY, BEAUTIFUL.
BUT I WOULD-- I WOULD SAY THAT TED CRUZ PRETENDING HE DIDN'T
SUBORN A CUE TWO WEEKS AGO WAS EXTRAORDINARY.
>> Stephen: OSCARS.
OSCARS.
>> KEVIN McCARTHY, LIKE GEORGE CASTANZA WANDERING AROUND LIKE
HE DIDN'T JUST DECLARE WAR ON THE WHOLE PLACE.
HE VOTED AGAINST DEMOCRACY TWO WEEKS AGO!
WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?
( LAUGHTER ) WE WERE THERE.
WE ALL SAW IT HAPPEN.
IT WAS ON TELEVISION.
>> Stephen: YES.
BUT YOU NOTICE-- >> HE CAME BACK IN AFTER THE CUE
ATTEMPT.
>> Stephen: THE TELEVISION CAMERAS, THERE'S RIGHT AND
THERE'S WRONG-- THE CAMERA CUTS TO TED CRUZ.
OR WHEN THEY TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE BEEN VISITED BY
EVIL, IT CUTS TO KEVIN McCARTHY.
IT WAS INCREDIBLE, WHOEVER WAS PRODUCING IT, KNEW WHERE PEOPLE
WERE SITTING.
>> REMEMBER HOW YOU VOTED AGAINST DEMOCRACY, AND THEN YOU
HAD TO LEAVE YOUR OFFICE?
AND THEN WHEN YOU CAME BACK A BUNCH OF STRANGERS HAD PEED IN
VARIOUS STRANGE PLACES?
>> Stephen: WE'RE LIVE.
WE'RE LIVE.
STOP THERE.
TOP IS THERE.
WE WERE LIVE.
YOU GUYS ALL WORKED FOR OBAMA.
WHAT'S THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN YOUR OLD BOSS AND THE NEW
PRESIDENT?
THAT CLUTCH AT THE END, YOU KNOW, THE FIST BUMP, AND THE
CLUTCH AT THE END.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IT MEANS TO OBAMA TO SEE HIS OLD FRIEND UP
THERE?
AND WHAT DO YOU THINK IT MEANS TO THE NEW PRESIDENT TO HAVE
BEEN THERE WITH HIM THAT WHOLE TIME?
>> I THINK THEY'RE, LIKE, GENUINELY VERY CLOSE.
I MEAN, THERE WAS A POINT IN TIME WHEN VICE PRESIDENT--
THEN-VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN'S SON, BEAU, HAD JUST PASSED AWAY, TO
PAY FOR HIS HEALTH CARE, JOE BIDEN WAS THINKING ABOUT
MORTGAGING HIS HOUSE.
AND, LIKE, BARACK OBAMA BSICALLY SAID, "DON'T DO THAT.
I WILL LOAN YOU THE MONEY."
THAT WAS THE CLOSENESS OF THAT RELATIONSHIP, RIGHT.
THEY WENT THROUGH FIRE TOGETHER FOR EIGHT YEARS.
JOE BIDEN KNOWS HE CAN CALL ON BARACK OBAMA FOR ANYTHING AT ANY
TIME.
I THINK IT'S-- IT'S LIKE-- IT'S HEARTWARMING TO SEE TWO HUMAN
BEINGS LIKE THAT INTERACTING.
>> Stephen: WELL, I-- IS HE-- DO YOU THINK HE'S GOING TO USE
THE OLD PRESIDENT OBAMA-- THE OLD PRESIDENT-- PRESIDENT OBAMA
AS A RESOURCE?
IS THAT A-- I DON'T KNOW HOW COMMON THAT IS FOR ANY
PRESIDENT.
BUT DO YOU THINK THE RELATIONSHIP IS CLOSE ENOUGH HE
MIGHT TURN TO HIM FOR ADVICE AT TIMES?
>> OH, I THINK SO.
BECAUSE I THINK THEY TALK ALL THE TIME.
AND I KNOW THEY TALKED DURING THIS CAMPAIGN A LOT.
AND I THINK BECAUSE THEY HAD SUCH A GOOD-- NOT JUST A GOOD
WORKING RELATIONSHIP BUT SUCH A GOOD PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP THAT
BIDEN WILL BE CALLING HIM A LOT.
WE HAVE TO TAKE A QUICK BREAK.
BUT WHEN WE COME BACK, I'LL ASK THE FELLAS ABOUT WHAT THE NEW
ADMINISTRATION MEANS FOR THE COUNTRY GOING FORWARD.
STICK AROUND.
♪ ♪ ♪
>> Stephen: HEY, EVERYBODY.
WELCOME BACK.
WE'RE BACK WITH THE CO-HOSTS OF "POD SAVE AMERICA," JON LOVETT,
TOMMY VIETOR, AND JON FAVREAU.
TOMMY, LAST MONTH, I HAD A CHANCE TO INTERVIEW
THEN-PRESIDENT-ELECT BIDEN, AND I ASKED HIM ABOUT HIS ABILITY TO
SORT OF CHANGE THE TONE AND GET ANYTHING DONE IN WASHINGTON.
AND HE SAID THE PREVIOUS PRESIDENT'S IMPACT ON THE BODY
POLITIC WILL FADE.
REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO FEEL THEY HAVE MUCH MORE ROOM TO RUN
AND COOPERATE.
DO YOU AGREE?
DO YOU THINK HIS INFLUENCE IS GOING TO FADE AND THE
REPUBLICANS WILL BE WILLING TO WORK ON ANYTHING TOGETHER WITH
THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION?
>> I HOPE PRESIDENT BIDEN IS RIGHT.
I'M WORRIED IT'S A LITTLE MORE COMPLICATED THAN THAT.
I THINK THAT TRUMP EMBOLDENED, LIKE, THIS RACIST, NATIONALIST,
PARANOID FACTION OF THE COUNTRY, AND THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE
REPUBLICAN PARTY JUST KIND OF SHRUGGED AT IT.
AND I THINK TRUMP-- HE CONSTRUCTED HIS OWN REALITY.
AND IF YOU DISAGREED WITH TRUMP, YOU WERE TREATED LIKE THE ENEMY.
AND SO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY BECAME THE CULT OF TRUMP.
AND I THINK IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LOT OF COURAGE AND A LOT OF
TRUTH-TELLING BY REPUBLICANS TO CHANGE THAT.
AND SO FAR, WHAT WE'RE SEEING FROM REPUBLICANS, LIKE TED CRUZ
AND JOSH HAULY AND KEVIN McCARTHY, IS THAT THEY ARE
SCARED OF CROSSING TRUMP.
THEY'RE SCARED OF ANGERING THAT MAGA BASE.
AND THEY'RE NOT ALL THAT INTO TRUTH-TELLING.
I'M A LITTLE WORRIED ABOUT THE FEVER BREAKING ANY TIME SOON.
>> Stephen: BUT ISN'T ONE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH A CONSTRUCTED
REALITY IS THAT IT'S A SOAP BUBBLE.
IF YOU TEST IT, IT JUST POPS IMMEDIATELY.
FOR INSTANCE, I MEAN, THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE
IN-- IN "Q," AND THE THEORIES OF QANON, BUT IT TURNS OUT THE
MILITARY ISN'T SECRETLY GOING TO TURN ON ALL THE DEMOCRATS AND
ARREST THEM AND DONALD TRUMP WILL ASCEND AS GOD KING ON A
THRONE AND SAVE EVERYONE IN THE WORLD.
THAT IS ACTUALLY SOMETHING THAT IS BREAKING THE HEART OF PEOPLE
OUT█ç THERE ONLINE TODAY.
LIKE, ISN'T THERE SOME HOPE THAT IF YOU ARE CREATING SUCH A
STRANGE AND EXTREME REALITY, THAT IT CAN'T SURVIVE ONCE THE
SUPPOSED ALL-POWERFUL PERSON AT THE TOP IS GONE?
>> I HOPE YOU'RE RIGHT.
I MEAN, LISTEN, I THINK THAT-- I'M A LITTLE WORRIED ABOUT THOSE
QANON ADHERNTS FINDING THE NEXT CONSPIRACY AND FOLLOWING THAT,█ç
AND NOT NECESSARILY SNAPPING BACK TO REALITY LIKE WE HOPE.
I HOPE PRESIDENT BIDEN IS RIGHT.
I HOPE WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET A LOT OF STUFF DONE, BUT I
WORRY.
I WORRY A LOT.
>> Stephen: WHAT ABOUT THE PEOPLE, A COUPLE OF WHOM YOU
JUST MENTIONED.
WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK WILL HAPPEN WITH JOSH HAWL, "OR TED
CRUZ, OR MO BROOKS, THE PEOPLE WHO SUBORNED THE SEDITION?
>> THEY'LL RUN FOR PRESIDENT.
( LAUGHTER ) THAT'S WHAT JOSH HAWLEY AND TED
CRUZ WILL DO.
>> Stephen: IS THERE ANY PRICE TO BE PAID THERE?
>> THERE'S A PRICE TO BE PAID FOR REPUBLICANS WHO ARE EITHER
IN STATES THAT ARE PURPLE OR BLUE OR REPUBLICAN HOUSE MEMBERS
WHO ARE IN DISTRICTS THAT ARE COMPETITIVE.
BUT UNTIL WE DON'T HAVE GERRYMANDERED DISTRICTS WHERE
REPUBLICANS ARE MORE AFRAID OF A PRIMARY CHALLENGE FROM THE RIGHT
THAN THEY ARE OF A GENERAL ELECTION OPPONENT WHO IS A
DEMOCRAT, WE'RE GOING TO BE IN THIS SAME PLACE.
SO CAN JOE BIDEN PICK OFF A FEW REASONABLE REPUBLICANS ON A
PIECE OF LEGISLATION HERE AND THERE?
I SURE HOPE SO.
BUT THE PARTY HAS BEEN RADICALIZED.
THE BASE IS RADICALIZED.
AND THREAF BEEN RADICALIZED NOT JUST BY TED CRUZ AND JOSH HAWLEY
BUT FOX NEWS, AND RUSH LIMBAUGH.
AND AS LONG AS THAT EXISTS IN RADICALIZING THIS BASE, WE'RE
GOING TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM.
>> Stephen: WELL, YOU GUYS HAVE SPENT THE LAST FOUR YEARS
DOING "POD SAVE AMERICA" AND BUILDING A POD EMPIRE THROUGH
"CROOKED MEDIA."
I'M SURE THERE WERE SOME LOW POINTS WHEN YOU THOUGHT MAYBE,
YOU KNOW, WE'RE NOT GOING TO POD SAVE ANYTHING.
BUT NOW THAT PART OF YOUR GOAL HAS BEEN ACHIEVED BY ENGAGING
THE DEMOCRATIC VOTERS TO GO OUT THERE AND CAST THEIR VOTES,
WHAT'S NEXT NOW THAT THERE'S A DEMOCRAT BACK IN OFFICE?
WHENCE GO THE POD SAVERS?
>> LOOK, I THINK WE FELT INCREDIBLY LUCKY TO BE IN THE
FIGHT WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO WORKED INCREDIBLY HARD OVER THE
LAST FOUR YEARS.
FOR ME, WHEN-- WHEN THINGS WERE DARKEST, WHEN THINGS WERE VERY
BAD, I WASN'T JUST HOPEFUL THAT THERE WOULD BE A LAST DAY TRUMP
WAS PRESIDENT.
I WAS HOPEFUL THERE WOULD BE A LAST DAY TRUMP WAS PRESIDENT,
AND WE'D ALL STILL BE PAYING ATTENTION.
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME, IT WOULDN'T BE JUST ABOUT
WHAT WE STOPPED BUT ACTUALLY ABOUT DOING SOME GOOD.
AND NOW WE WON THE HOUSE.
WE TOOK THE GAVEL FROM PAUL RYAN.
WE BEAT MITCH McCONNELL, TOOK THE SENATE, WON THE WHITE HOUSE.
NOW WE HAVE A CHANCE TO DO SOME GOOD IF WE KEEP PAYING ATTENTION
AND WE KEEP FIGHTING.
>> Stephen: THANKS, GUYS.
>> THANK YOU.
>> Stephen: NEW EPISODES OF "POD SAVE AMERICA" ARE RELEASED
MONDAYS AND THURSDAYS.
JON FAVREAU, JON LOVETT, AND TOMMY VIETOR, EVERYBODY!
WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH A SPECIL PERFORMANCE OF
"TOGETHER."
EVERYBODY, AND NOW PERFORMING "TOGETHER" PETER█ç COTTONTALE,
CHANCE THE RAPPER, AND KOFI LOST.
>> THE MOST HUMAN TRAIT IS TO WANT TO KNOW WHY.
IT'S OUR FAVORITE QUESTION AS KIDS.
WE ASK TO UNDERSTAND WHY WE ARE AND WHY THINGS HAPPEN.
WE ASK THE MOST WHEN WE DON'T KNOW, AND THAT MAKES SENSE.
BUT IT'S NOT ALL TO GET AHEAD.
IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO ON THIS SPINNING ROCK WE CALL HOME, AND
WE LEARNED THAT NOT TOO LONG AGO.
RATHER THAN TRYING TO CREATE MEMORIES TO TRY TO CONVINCE YOU,
IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE ME...
♪ LOOK ♪ STOP TA TAKE A LOOK AROUND
CRIED, GOT UP OFF THE GROUND ♪ CLOCK RUNNIN' OUT OF TIME
2020 BEEN A RIDE ♪ BECAUSE WE
LOST MORE THAN WE ♪ HAD TO LOSE
AND THEY TALK CHOICES ♪ WE WERE FORCED TO CHOOSE
IN THE MORNIN' ♪ LEAVE ALL YOUR BAGGAGE
THE ANSWER, YOU MAY NOT HAVE IT ♪ BUT TOGETHER IN LOVE
WE CAN FIND IT ♪ AND IN HAND TELL THE STORM
"GET BEHIND US!" ♪ TOGETHER
WE GON' ♪ GET IT TOGETHER SOMEHOW
GET IT TOGETHER ♪ WE GON' GET IT TOGETHER
SOMEHOW ♪ GET IT TOGETHER
>> LEARN WITH THOSE WE MET ALONG THE WAY.
RAISE EACH OTHER UP, LIFT EACH OTHER'S HEADS, STRETCH ARMS
AROUND EACH OTHER AFTER A REAL LONG DAY.
TRY TO BE OKAY.
♪ PUT YOUR HAND IN MY HAND AND LET'S WALK
♪ THE ♪ WE COULD GO A MILLION MILES
TOGETHER, YEAH ♪ 'CUS NO ONE IS AN ISLAND
BUT OPEN UP YOUR SHORES ♪ LIKE YOUR HEART
HEART ♪ I KNOW WE'VE BEEN HURT SO LONG
AND WE'VE BEEN FEELING ALONE ALONE
♪ WE CAN DO IT TOGETHER MAKE IT TOGETHER
♪ LET'S GET IT TOGETHER ♪ WE GON' TAKE IT BACK
LIKE THE CLASSICS ♪ WE GON' TAKE IT BACK
LIKE JURASSIC ♪ WE GON' TAKE IT BACK
FROM THE MASTERS ♪ WE GON' TAKE IT BACK
TO THE MASSES ♪ WE GON' TAKE THE
MASK OFF THE MONSTER ♪ WE GON' TAKE THE
SNACKS OUT THE TAXES ♪ WE GON' TAKE
THE LEAD OUT THE TAP ♪ THE MAX OUT OF THE SENTENCE
THE ISM OUT OF THE CAP ♪ REVOLUTIONARY TACTICAL
MEN IN BLACK ♪ WHO REMEMBER THAT?
HAD A FLASHBACK ♪ ORION ON THE BELT
BUT I GOT ZION ON THE HAT ♪ I COULD SEND A ROCK FLYIN'
PUT A GIANT ON HIS BACK ♪ I GOT THE POWER TO BE
THE POWERS THAT BE ♪ SOMETIMES I SIT FOR HOURS
THINKIN' 'BOUT HOW IT WOULD BE ♪ IF WE FIND PEACE
MAYBE WE COULD FINISH THE PUZZLE ♪ WE COULD PUT OUR HEADS
TOGETHER ♪ WE COULD FIT IN A HUDDLE
LET'S GET IT TOGETHER ♪ LET'S GET IT TOGETHER
LET'S GET IT TOGETHER ♪ TOGETHER
>> SO WHY DO WE STILL HAVE STRENGTH TO CONTINUE?
MANY PATHS THIS YEAR, BUT WE KEPT GOING.
WE DO IT FOR THE MOST INQUISITIVE AMONG US.
WE DO IT WITHOUT A SECOND THOUGHT.
WE'VE GOT TO GET IT TOGETHER.
♪ GET IT TOGETHER SOMEHOW ♪ >> SO IF YOU'RE STILL WONDERING
WHY, BECAUSE UNTIL WE GET TO EVERY ANSWER, WE'RE STILL
SEARCHING.
>> Stephen: "TOGETHER," EVERYBODY.
WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.
█ç>> Stephen: THAT'S IF FOR "A LATE SHOW."
THANKS FOR JOINING US.
I FOR ONE ENJOY OUR NEW ARRANGEMENT, WHICH IS REALITY.
TUNE IN TOMORROW WHEN MY GUESTS WILL BE PRIYANKA CHOPRA JONES,
AND MY DEAR FRIEND DEREK DELGAUDIO, AND THE GREAT FRANK
OZ.
JAMES CORDON IS NEXT.
GOOD NIGHT.
Captioning sponsored by CBS Captioned by
Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org