Captioning sponsored by CBS
>> MORE KEY REPUBLICANS ARE SPEAKING OUT ABOUT AN EFFORT TO CREATE A BIPARTISAN COMMISSION
TO INVESTIGATE THE JANUARY
ATTACK ON THE CAPITOL.
>> I THINK IT'S TOO EARLY TO
CREATE A COMMISSION, AND I
BELIEVE REPUBLICANS IN THE
SENATE WILL DECIDE THAT IT'S TOO
EARLY TO CREATE THAT COMMISSION.
>> IT IS MUCH TOO EARLY TO FORM A COMMISSION ON WHO CREATED THE DEATH STAR.
FACTS ARE STILL COMING OUT.
LET'S GIVE IT TIME.
>> WHO KNOWS WHO ATE WHO, BUT I
DO KNOW THAT IT'S TOO EARLY TO
INVESTIGATE THIS CRIME.
OTHER CANNIBALISTIC MURDERS WERE
INVESTIGATED MUCH, MUCH LATER.
WHY WOULD WE RUSH INTO THIS?
BY THE WAY, YOU LOOK DELICIOUS.
>> OH, WHY DO WE NEED YET
ANOTHER COMMISSION INVESTIGATING
WHO MURDERED MUFASA?
CAN'T WE JUST LET DEAD THINGS
LIE -- OR IN THIS CASE, LION?
( SCREAMING )
>> OKAY, LET'S NOT JUST START
STABBING THE FIRST THING THAT
POPS OUT OF SOMEONE'S CHEST.
LET'S WAIT AND GATHER EVIDENCE.
NOW, IF YOU WILL EXCUSE ME, I'M
GOING TO GO GROW INDESTRUCTIBLE
AND EAT THE REST OF YOU.
MAKE SPACE GREAT AGAIN!
♪♪♪
>> Announcer: IT'S "A LATE SHOW" WITH STEPHEN COLBERT! TONIGHT, "THE LATE SHOW" MUST GO
ON.
PLUS, STEPHEN WELCOMES ANTHONY
ANDERSON, AND N.I.H. DIRECTOR
DR. FRANCIS COLLINS, 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: HEY!
WELCOME TO "A LATE SHOW."
I'M STEPHEN COLBERT.
I'VE GOT GREAT NEWS FOR YOU, AND
EVEN BETTER NEWS FOR ME: ON JUNE
14TH:
"THE LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN
COLBERT" WILL RETURN TO THE ED
SULLIVAN THEATER!
HELL, YES!
I CANNOT WAIT TO SAY THINGS THAT
ARE THAT HAPPY AND THEN HEAR
PEOPLE CHEER OR BOO OR BELCH I'M
NOT PICKY AT THIS POINT.
LET HER RIP!
THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE SOME
SOCIALLY DISTANCED SMATTERING OF
A FEW PEOPLE.
WE ARE RETURNING WITH A FULL,
VACCINATED AUDIENCE.
OF COURSE, VACCINES HAVE LONG
BEEN REQUIRED AT THE ED SULLIVAN
THEATER, EVER SINCE THE DEADLY
1964 OUTBREAK OF...
BEATLE-MANIA.
THAT'S SO SOON.
SO SOON!
I WAS TELLING CHRIS JUST A
MOMENT AGO, I REMEMBER MAY OF
2020.
YOU SAID WHEN DO YOU THINK WE'LL
BE BACK IN?
I SAID ).
-- I SAID, JUNE OF 2021.
THAT WAS OVER A YEAR OUT AT THAT
POINT.
I CAN'T BELIEVE WE MADE IT.
IT'S ONLY 21 MORE DAYS.
21 MORE DAYS FROM TONIGHT, THE
ED SULLIVAN THEATER WILL BE
PACKED
WITH FOLKS LIKE YOU, THE ONES
WHO MADE THIS REOPENING POSSIBLE
BY STAYING SAFE, THINKING ABOUT
YOUR FELLOW CITIZENS, AND
GETTING VACCINATED.
GIVE YOURSELF A ROUND OF
APPLAUSE, IF ONLY TO PRACTICE
GIVING ME A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
WE ARE WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK
TO GET EVERYTHING READY FOR A
LIVE AUDIENCE AGAIN.
FIRST, WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW
TO GET --THIS BACK INTO A SUIT.
OKAY.
SAME WAY, DIFFERENT
DISTRIBUTION.
IT WILL PROBABLY INVOLVE
NANO-TECHNOLOGY.
TONY STARK, CALL ME.
THEN WE HAVE TO PREP THE ACTUAL
ED SULLIVAN THEATER.
SPECIFICALLY, WE GOTTA CLEAR OUT
THE RATS DOWN THERE WHO'VE BEEN
HOSTING THEIR OWN SHOW.
OF COURSE -- HANKS IS GREAT WITH
EVERYBODY.
OF COURSE, THIS IS ALL PART OF
NEW YORK REOPENING.
WE'RE JUST THE FIRST THEATER ON
BRODWAY TO COME BACK FULL
STEAM.
AND NEW YORK MAYOR BILL DE
BLASIO TOOK NOTE.
>> WE JUST GOT SOME GREAT NEWS
ABOUT ONE OF OUR FAVORITE
PEOPLE, STEPHEN COLBERT.
"A LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN
COLBERT" WILL BE RESUMING WITH A
LIVE AUDIENCE AT THE ED SULLIVAN
THEATER ON JUNE 14TH.
FULL AUDIENCE, FULL AUDIENCE OF
VACCINATED FOLKS ENJOYING ONE OF
THE GREAT COMEDIANS OF OUR TIME.
>> STEPHEN: IS DAVE CHAPPELLE
COMING ON?
OH!
HE MEANS ME?
OH.
OH, ME.
HE SHOULD SEE MORE COMEDIANS.
IF YOU ARE VACCINATED, AND YOU
WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND THE FIRST
NIGHT BACK FOR THE LATE SHOW,
TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE RIGHT HERE
AT THIS LINK RIGHT NOW.
AS I SAID, FOR ALL OF US TO BE
TOGETHER SAFELY, EVERYONE IN THE
AUDIENCE WILL HAVE TO BE FULLY
VACCINATED.
IT'S LIKE NO GLOVE, NO LOVE.
NO POKES, NO JOKES.
NO NEEDLE, NO LIVE INTERVIEW
WITH DON CHEADLE.
IS CHEADLE ON?
WE'LL GET HIM.
ONE PERSON WHO WILL NOT BE
ALLOWED IN:
KENTUCKY SENATOR AND MAN WHOSE
HAIRCUT IS THE HAIR LEFT ON THE
FLOOR AFTER OTHER PEOPLE'S
HAIRCUTS, RAND PAUL.
SENATOR PAUL HAS BEEN A SKEPTIC
OF HOW BAD COVID REALLY IS,
WHICH IS PROBABLY WHY HE GOT IT.
BUT THERE'S ONE THING HE'S
DECIDED NOT TO GET: THE VACCINE.
>> I'VE JUST MADE MY OWN
PERSONAL DECISION THAT I'M NOT
GETTING VACCINATED BECAUSE I'VE
ALREADY HAD THE DISEASE AND I
HAVE NATURAL IMMUNITY NOW.
>> STEPHEN: OK, BUT NO ONE KNOWS
HOW LONG THAT IMMUNITY LASTS.
BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, YOUR
CHOICE IS GOING TO AFFECT OTHER
PEOPLE.
I HAVE MADE MY OWN PERSONAL
DECISION TO MICROWAVE CLAM
CHOWDER IN THE OFFICE BREAK
ROOM.
AS FOR HIS REASONING, HE
RANDSPLAINED:
>> SHOULD THEY FORCE PEOPLE TO
GET VACCINATED THAT ALREADY HAD
COVID AND SURVIVED?
THEY WOULD FIRST HAVE TO PROVE
THAT THE VACCINE IS BETTER THAN
BEING INFECTED.
>> STEPHEN: NO, THEY DON'T.
THEY DON'T HAVE TO PROVE THAT
SEATBELTS ARE BETTER THAN
ACCIDENTS, OR THAT WEARING A
PARACHUTE IS BETTER THAN HITTING
THE EARTH AT TERMINAL VELOCITY,
OR THAT HAVING HOT SPIKES DRIVEN
INTO YOUR EARS IS BETTER THAN
LISTENING TO RAND PAUL.
IT'S SELF-EVIDENT.
THANKFULLY, MOST PEOPLE ARE NOT
RAND PAUL.
THERE'S GOOD NEWS ABOUT COVID IN
THE U.S. PRETTY MUCH EVERYWHERE
YOU LOOK, AND I'LL TELL YOU ALL
ABOUT IT IN TONIGHT'S EDITION OF
THE VAX-SCENE.
(SYRINGES SINGING)
♪ LET'S TALK ABOUT VAX, BABY
LET'S TALK ABOUT ANTIBODIES
♪ LET'S TALK ABOUT GETTING DIRTY
AFTER HERD IMMUNITY
♪ LET'S TALK ABOUT VAX.
LET'S TALK ABOUT VAX
♪ LET'S TALK ABOUT VAX
LET'S TALK ABOUT VAX
>> STEPHEN: AS OF YESTERDAY
NEARLY 50% OF ALL AMERICANS HAVE
GOTTEN AT LEAST ONE DOSE, AND
COVID DEATHS ARE AS LOW AS
THEY'VE BEEN SINCE LAST SUMMER.
YES, LOW DEATH SUMMER.
MY FAVORITE BEACH BOYS ALBUM.
UNFORTUNATELY, THERE'S ONE GROUP
OF AMERICANS WHO AREN'T FULL OF
VAX-THUSIASM.
MORE THAN HALF OF HOUSE
REPUBLICANS STILL WON'T DISCLOSE
THEIR VACCINE STATUS, WHICH HAS
PROMPTED SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI TO
LEAVE THE HOUSE MASK MANDATE IN
PLACE.
GOOD.
NO ONE SHOULD BE SUBJECTED TO
MATT GAETZ'S FACE.
JIMMY?
PUT A MASK ON HIM.
LET'S DOUBLE MASK HIM.
THAT'S BETTER.
SHOCKING NEWS OUT OF EASTERN
EUROPE BECAUSE YESTERDAY
BELARUS FORCED A COMMERCIAL
PLANE TO LAND SO THEY COULD
SEIZE A DISSIDENT.
THERE WAS SOME WARNING FOR
PASSENGERS.
THE PILOT HAD TURNED ON THE
"NO OPPOSITION TO MURDEROUS
DICTATOR LIGHT."
THE DICTATOR IN QUESTION IS
EVIL NUTCRACKER, ALEXANDER
LUKASHENKO.
LUKASHENKO HAS RULED BELARUS FOR
26 YEARS, BUT AFTER POLLS SHOWED
HIM WAY BEHIND, LUKASHENKO
RIGGED THE RECENT ELECTION.
MAN.
HUGO CHAVEZ' GHOST GETS AROUND.
THAT LED TO MASSIVE PROTESTS AND
THOUSANDS OF ARRESTS, FORCING
THE OPPOSITION TO FLEE THE
COUNTRY.
ONE OF THOSE OPPOSITION LEADERS,
JOURNALIST ROMAN PROTA-SAYVICH,
WAS ON A RYANAIR FLIGHT FROM
ATHENS TO VILNIUS, LITHUANIA.
ONCE THE PLANE WAS OVER BELARUS
AIR SPACE, SOMEONE ON THE PLANE
CALLED IN A PHONY BOMB THREAT AT
WHICH POINT LUKASHENKO
PERSONALLY ORDERED A MIG-29
FIGHTER JET TO ESCORT THE
RYANAIR PLANE TO THE MINSK
AIRPORT.
THAT MUST OF BEEN A HELLUVA
IN-FLIGHT ANNOUNCEMENT:
(AS PILOT)
ATTENTION PASSENGERS.
ON YOUR RIGHT, YOU'LL SEE THE
BEAUTIFUL HISTORIC MIR CASTLE,
AND TO YOUR LEFT IS A MIG-29
FIGHTER JET ARMED WITH HEAT
SEEKING MISSILES WHOSE TARGETING
MECHANISMS ARE CURRENTLY LOCKED
ONTO OUR PLANE.
THE FLIGHT ATTENDANTS WILL BE
COMING AROUND IN A FEW MOMENTS
WITH THE DRINK CART, HOODS, AND
ZIP-TIES.
THANK YOU FOR FLYING RYANAIR.
THE PLANE SAT ON THE TARMAC FOR
SEVEN HOURS, NO BOMB WAS FOUND,
BUT PROTA-SAYVICH WAS DRAGGED
OFF THE PLANE AND ARRESTED.
U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE ANTONY
BLINKEN CALLED THE INCIDENT A
BRAZEN AND SHOCKING ACT TO
DIVERT A COMMERCIAL FLIGHT AND
ARREST A JOURNALIST.
WE DEMAND AN INTERNATIONAL
INVESTIGATION.
>> STEPHEN: TO WHICH ROY BLUNT
SAID
>> IT'S TOO SOON.
GIVE IT A YEAR.
>> STEPHEN: PERHAPS THE
STRONGEST REACTION CAME FROM THE
PRESIDENT OF LITHUANIA, WHO
CALLED FOR BELARUS' AIRSPACE TO
BE DECLARED UNSAFE AND FOR
BELARUSIAN AIRKT AIRCRAFT NOT TO
BE
ACCEPTED AT E.U. AIRPORTS.
THAT IS REALLY GOING TO BE A
BLOW TO BELARUS' NUMBER ONE
AIRLINE:
A POTATO PULLED BY A GOAT.
THAT'S A FOOD OLD FASHIONED COLD
WAR JOKE.
THERE YOU GO.
HAVE THAT ONE DUSTED OFF AND PUT
BACK IN THE TRUNK.
TODAY IS A MOMENTOUS DAY FOR
FITNESS ENTHUSIASTS DOWN SOUTH,
BECAUSE ALABAMA HAS LIFTED ITS
BAN ON YOGA IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, A
BAN THAT HAD BEEN IN PLACE FOR
NEARLY 30 YEARS.
30 YEARS!
ALSO KNOWN AS THE AMOUNT OF TIME
IT TAKES FOR MY HIPS TO REGAIN
FEELING AFTER PIGEON POSE.
YOGA WAS BANNED IN ALABAMA
BECAUSE APPARENTLY SOME
CHRISTIANS WERE AFRAID THAT
YOGA WOULD OPEN THE DOOR FOR
PEOPLE TO BE CONVERTED TO
HINDUISM.
THEY THOUGHT DOING YOGA WOULD
TURN THEIR KIDS HINDU?
THE ONLY THING YOGA TURNS YOU
INTO IS SOMEONE WHO WON'T SHUT
UP ABOUT YOGA.
SO NOW KIDS ARE ALLOWED TO TAKE
YOGA AS AN ELECTIVE, BUT HOLD
YOUR FLOW, BECAUSE MEDITATION IS
NOT ALLOWED.
HOW DO YOU POLICE THAT?
(AS ANGRY TEACHER)
DUNCAN, YOU'VE BEEN VERY QUIET
FOR A WHILE.
YOU BETTER NOT BE WATCHING YOUR
THOUGHTS PASS BY LIKE A RIVER,
YOUNG MAN JESUS WANTS YOUR
KUNDALINI COILED LIKE A SNAKE!
THE BILL ALSO REQUIRES THAT
ENGLISH NAMES BE USED FOR ALL
POSES AND EXERCISES, AND
STUDENTS WON'T BE ALLOWED TO SAY
NAMASTE.
INSTEAD, THEY WILL HAVE TO USE
THE TRADITIONAL ALABAMA MANTRA:
(SOUTHERN ACCENT)
HEY, Y'ALL, WATCH THIS!
SO, WHILE IT MAY SEEM OBVIOUS
THAT A LITTLE YOGA WON'T LEAD TO
MASS CONVERSION, PEOPLE ARE
STILL WORRIED.
HERE TO DISCUSS FURTHER, IS ONE
OF MY WRITERS, PRATIMA MONEY.
>> NAMASTE, STEVE.
>> STEPHEN: OH.
THANKS.
I'VE NEVER HEARD YOU SAY THAT
BEFORE.
>> NORMALLY I DON'T, BUT TODAY'S
A BIG DAY FOR HINDUISM.
WE'RE FINALLY GOING TO ACHIEVE
THE GOAL WE'VE WORKED TOWARD FOR
MILLENNIA: BRINGING FIFTH-GRADE
ALABAMIANS INTO THE FOLD.
HARE RAM.
>> STEPHEN: THAT SEEMS LIKE A
STRETCH, NO PUN INTENDED.
>> NO PUN ACCEPTED.
>> STEPHEN: SO, YOU'RE SAYING
THAT ALABAMA CHRISTIANS WERE
RIGHT ALL ALONG?
THAT TEACHING YOGA IN SCHOOL IS
GOING TO BRAINWASH STUDENTS?
>> ABSOLUTELY, STEVE.
DON'T YOU KNOW THAT EVERYONE IS
AT ALL TIMES ONE DOWN DOG AWAY
FROM ACCEPTING VISHNU INTO THEIR
HEARTS?
IT'S ALREADY WORKING.
HAVEN'T YOU NOTICED AGING
HIPSTERS EVERYWHERE WEARING
SHIRTS THAT SAY NIRVANA.
>> STEPHEN: I THINK THEY'RE
REFERRING TO THE 90'S BAND,
NIRVANA.
>> WHO THEN REINCARNATED INTO
THE FOO FIGHTERS.
MYSTIC FORCES AT PLAY DON'T ACT
LIKE THIS WASN'T PREDICTED IN
THE BHAGAVAD GITA.
>> STEPHEN: WELL I DON'T KNOW IF
IT WAS.
I HAVEN'T READ THE BHAGAVAD
GITA.
>> NEITHER HAVE I.
IT'S LIKE 700 VERSES ABOUT THE
STRUGGLE BETWEEN DUTY AND
DESIRE, THE MEANING OF RIGHTFUL
ACTION, THE JOURNEY TO REALIZE
INNER TRUTH AND THE NATURE OF
THE DIVINE.
LUCKILY, YOUR BRAIN ABSORBS ALL
OF THAT THE SECOND YOU DO JUST
ONE WARRIOR POSE.
>> STEPHEN: OH, COME ON.
I'VE DONE A FEW YOGA CLASSES AND
IT DIDN'T MAKE ME KICK JESUS TO
THE CURB.
>> WOW.
I GUESS YOU'RE JUST TOO STRONG
FOR US, STEVE.
CAN'T WIN 'EM ALL.
ANYWAYS, NAMASTE.
>> STEPHEN: NAMASTE.
>> HE SAID IT WE GOT ANOTHER
ONE, GUYS!
>> STEPHEN: DAMMIT! PRATIMA!
WE'VE GOT A GREAT SHOW FOR YOU
TONIGHT, MY GUESTS ARE ANTHONY
ANDERSON AND N.I.H. DIRECTOR DR.
FRANCIS COLLINS.
WHEN WE COME BACK, IT'S GONNA BE
"MEANWHILE."
BUT, RIGHT NOW, REMEMBER, GO TO
THIS LINK TO FETE YOUR TICKETS
TO "THE LATE SHOW," BECAUSE WE
WILL BE BACK
IN THE ED SULLIVAN THEATER ON
JUNE 14.
WHY, MR. MAYOR?
>> THERE'S NO STOPPING NEW YORK,
THERE'S NO STOPPING STEPHEN
COLBERT.
>> STEPHEN: THAT'S RIGHT,
THERE'S NO STOPPING STEPHEN
COLBERT EXCEPT COMMERCIAL
BREAKS.
ITCH TOLD I HAVE TO STOP RIGHT
NOW.
WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.
COME ON!
♪♪♪
>> Stephen: HEY, EVERYBODY! WELCOME BACK TO "A LATE SHOW."
LET'S CHECK IN WITH OUR FRIEND
MR. JON BATISTE.
JON, HAVE YOU HEARD THE GOOD
NEWS?
>> Jon: HELLO!
♪
WE'RE COMING BACK!
LET'S GET IT!
>> Stephen: JUNE 14, MY
FRIEND.
>> Jon: YEAH!
>> Stephen: 21 DAYS FROM
TONIGHT, THREE WEEKS, A
FORTNIGHT AND A HALF!
>> Jon: OH, YEAH, WE'RE GOING
TO BE IN THERE.
I'M EXCITED TO SEE YOU AND FEEL
AND SMELL THE AUDIENCE.
>> Stephen: ME, TOO.
I'M GOING TO FEEL THE
VIBRATIONS.
I'M GOING TO LEAN AGAINST THE
LOVE.
I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THOSE
PEOPLE.
>> Jon: BRING IT IN, YEAH!
>> Stephen: JON, DO YOU HAVE
ANY MUSIC TO CELEBRATE OUR
MAGICAL DATE OF REEMERGENCE?
>> Jon: YES!
(
( THEME SONG PLAYING )
>> Jon: WHOO!
I AIN'T PLAYED THAT ONE IN THE
THEATER LIVE IN OVER A YEAR!
LET'S GO!
COME ON!
>> Stephen: JON BATISTE,
EVERYBODY.
THANKS, JON.
FOLKS, YOU KNOW I SPEND MOST OF
MY TIME
CAREFULLY ANALYZING THE FINEST
ACADEMIC NEWS JOURNALS,
CONDUCTING THE MOST TOPICAL
RESEARCH STUDIES, AND ASSEMBLING
MY GROUNDBREAKING FINDINGS INTO
THE WELL-ARGUED, FLAWLESSLY
SOURCED DOCTORAL THESIS THAT IS
MY MONOLOGUE.
BUT SOMETIMES I LIKE TO SLEEP
IN, DAY-BAKE WHILE WATCHING RICK
AND MORTY, AND IGNORING THE LOW
HUM OF ANXIETY THAT I REALLY
SHOULD GET STARTED UNTIL I
REALIZE IT'S MIDNIGHT, AT WHICH
POINT I CHUG A POT OF BLACK
COFFEE, SKIM THROUGH THE NEWS
SPARKNOTES, PANIC-PAY A KID IN
ALBANIA FOR A BOILERPLATE
ANALYSIS, COPY AND PASTE IT INTO
A WORD DOC, CHANGING JUST ENOUGH
WORDS TO AVOID AUTO-DETECTION
FROM THE ANTI-CHEATING A.I.
SPRINT TO THE HUMANITIES
BUILDING, AND, WITH MERE MINUTES
TO SPARE, SHOVE UNDERNEATH THE
PROFESSOR'S DOOR, THE
PLAGIARIZED, SLAP-DASH TERM
PAPER OF NEWS THAT IS MY
SEGMENT:
(ECHOING)
QUARANTINEWHILE.
>> STEPHEN: QUARANTINE-WHILE,
BIG GOLF NEWS THIS WEEKEND.
PHIL MICKELSON WON THE P.G.A.
CHAMPIONSHIP.
JIM?
>> 50 YEARS, 11 MONTHS, 7 DAYS.
YOU ARE THE OLDEST MAJOR
CHAMPION IN HISTORY
>> THANK YOU.
>> Stephen: HELL, YES!
CONGRATULATIONS, PHIL.
JUST, GOES TO SHOW YOU, YOU CAN
DO ANYTHING IN YOUR FIFTIES, AS
LONG AS SOMEONE CARRIES YOUR
STUFF FOR YOU AND EVERYONE IS
QUIET.
THIS IS A GREAT MOMENT FOR
MICKELSON.
BUT I GOTTA TAKE ISSUE WITH THIS
ACTUAL MONTAGE THAT CBS RAN SET
TO SOME CLASSIC NEIL YOUNG:
♪♪♪
♪ OLD MAN LOOK AT MY LIFE
♪ I'M A LOT LIKE YOU WERE
>> STEPHEN: OLD MAN?
COME ON, CBS, AT HIS HIGHEST
MOMENT, YOU KNEECAP HIM WITH A
SONG SPECIFICALLY ABOUT HOW OLD
HE IS?
WHY NOT JUST PLAY KNOCKIN' ON
HEAVEN'S DOOR WHILE YOU PRESENT
HIM WITH THIS TROPHY.
QUARANTINE-WHILE, HERE'S A HOT
NEW FASHION TREND THAT'S
SWEEPING THE-- SOMETHING.
WOLF CUTS: GEN Z'S ANSWER TO THE
MULLET HAIRSTYLE.
INTERESTING.
I ALWAYS THOUGHT THE ANSWER TO
THE MULLET HAIRSTYLE WAS
NO, THANK YOU.
QUARANTINE-WHILE, A TECHNOLOGY
INVESTOR AND CRYPTOCURRENCY
INFLUENCER IS LAUNCHING A
BITCOIN-THEMED PIZZA POP-UP.
BOLD BUSINESS STRATEGY: TIE YOUR
BUSINESS LAUNCH TO SOMETHING
THAT IS CURRENTLY TANKING.
REMINDS ME OF BACK IN 2008 WHEN
THE HOT NEW CHAIN WAS...
HOUSING BUBBLE TEA.
BUT THERE'S JUST ONE THING:
THE NEWLY LAUNCHED BITCOIN PIZZA
BRAND DOESN'T ACCEPT BITCOIN.
WE DON'T HAVE A JOKE ON IT,
BECAUSE WE COULDN'T THINK OF
ANYTHING STUPIDER THAN THAT.
QUARANTINE-WHILE, GOOGLE HAS
ANNOUNCED THAT IT WILL
OPEN ITS FIRST PHYSICAL STORE IN
NEW YORK CITY THIS SUMMER.
HOW IS SOMEONE SUPPOSED TO SHOP
IN A PHYSICAL GOOGLE STORE?
HI, WELCOME TO GOOGLE.
ANYTHING I CAN HELP YOU WITH
TODAY?
(AS SHOPPER)
YES, IN WHICH AISLE CAN I FIND
PICTURES OF CHANNING TATUM, NO
SHIRT?
QUARANTINE-WHILE, AMERICA IS
ABUZZ OVER LIL NAS X SPLITTING
HIS PANTS ON SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE
THIS WEEKEND.
LOOKS LIKE THE CROWD ALMOST GOT
TO SEE HIS LI'L NAS D.
THE STAR TOOK THE WARDROBE
MALFUNCTION IN STRIDE, TWEETING
I WANTED TO DO MY POLE ROUTINE
SO BAD, THIS WHAT I GET.
TECHNICALLY, STILL COUNTS AS A
POLE ROUTINE.
QUARANTINE-WHILE --
PRINGLES IS PARTNERING WITH
WENDY'S FOR ITS NEWEST CHIP
FLAVOR THAT'S BASED ON THE
CHAIN'S SPICY CHICKEN SANDWICH,
MEANING THAT PRINGLES IS
ENTERING THE FRIED CHICKEN
SANDWICH WARS.
WHICH EXPLAINS THIS LETTER.
>> MY DEAREST MRS. PRINGLE, I
FEAR THIS MAY BE MY LAST LETTER
AS I HEAD TO THE FRONT OF THE
FRIED CHICKEN SANDWICH WARS.
HOW I LONG TO BE STACKED IN YOUR
CRISPY ARMS AGAIN IN THE SAFETY
OF OUR CAN.
I WISH I COULD LEAVE THIS
GODAWFUL WAR, BUT UNFORTUNATELY
ONCE YOU POP, YOU CANNOT STOP.
WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH "BLACK-ISH" STAR ANTHONY ANDERSON.
♪♪♪ >> Stephen: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WELCOME BACK TO "A
LATE SHOW."
MY FIRST GUEST IS AN
EMMY-NOMINATED ACTOR.
HE STARS AS DRE JOHNSON ON ABC'S
"BLACK-ISH."
( SCREAMING ) OH, MY GOSH! I JUST HAD THE CRAZIEST DREAM
THAT I QUIT MY JOB!
>> THAT'S BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T
TELL YOUR WIFE YOU QUIT YOUR
JOB.
( SCREAMING )
>> IS EVERYTHING OKAY?
JUST HAD THE CRAZIEST
DREAM.
>> WHAT?
THAT I QUIT MY JOB!
'S OKAY, SWEETHEART, IT'S
JUST A NIGHTMARE.
OH, MY GOSH, IT'S JUST A
NIGHTMARE.
>> IT WAS.
BUT ALSO --
>> WHAT?
-- I QUIT MY JOB.
♪
>> WHAT THE --
>> STEPHEN: PLEASE WELCOME BACK
TO "A LATE SHOW," ANTHONY
ANDERSON.
>> Stephen: HELLO, ANTHONY
ANDERSON.
>> HEY, STEPHEN COLBERT!
>> Stephen: HOW YOU DOING?
YOU HAVE BEEN ON THE STUMP
ADVOCATING FOR VACCINES.
>> IT'S BEEN GOOD, MAN.
A LOT OF SELF-REFLECTION AND
GETTING TO KNOW YOURSELF AND
GETTING TO KNOW FAMILY MEMBERS
IN A WAY YOU NEVER THOUGHT YOU
WOULD EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE BEEN
MARRIED TO THEM FOR 2 IS YEARS.
( LAUGHTER )
>> Stephen: HAS EVERYBODY
TURNED OUT TO BE PRETTY GOOD
COMPANY FOR EACH OTHER?
>> I DON'T -- YEAH, EVERYBODY'S
PRETTY GOOD.
EVERYBODY'S PRETTY GOOD.
BUT, YEAH, OUT THERE ADVOCATING.
THESE VACCINATION SHOTS, ME AND
MY MOM, YOU KNOW, WE'RE --
>> Stephen: THERE YOU ARE.
THERE'S YOU WITH YOUR MOM.
SHE'S HOLDING YOUR HAND.
IS SHE THERE TO CALM YOU DOWN?
ARE YOU AFRAID OF NEEDLES?
>> BOTH, STEPHEN.
I'M DEATHLY AFRAID OF NEEDLES
AND I HAD TO BRING MY MOM WITH
ME TO HOLD MY HAND.
WE GOT THROUGH IT, THOUGH.
WE GOT THROUGH IT.
>> Stephen: SPEAKING OF
GETTING THROUGH IT.
I'M EXCITED ABOUT SOMETHING
YOU'RE DOING WITH WILL SMITH.
THIS IS FOR POST-COVID
EMERGENCE, BASICALLY TRYING TO
GET IT BACK TOGETHER.
IT'S CALLED THE BIG WILLIE
CHALLENGE.
WHAT EXACTLY IS GOING ON HERE?
( LAUGHTER )
I DIDN'T REALIZE HOW BIG WILLIE
HAD GOTTEN.
( LAUGHTER )
>> FREE WILLIE!
YOU HAVE TWO MEN STANDING NEXT
TOEACH OTHER IN NOTHING BUT
THEIR UNDERWEAR.
BUT WILL IS CHEATING.
HE'S FORCING HIS GUT TO BE THAT
SIZE.
FOR SOME OF US, THAT'S OUR
NORMAL SIZE GUT.
AND WE'RE TRYING TO FAKE THAT.
>> Stephen: I'M ASKING FOR A
FRIEND WHO HAS TO GET BACK INTO
HIS SUITS ON JUNE 14, WHAT'S THE
CHALLENGE?
>> THE CHALLENGE IS TO TRANSFORM
THAT DAD, THAT COVID BOD BACK
INTO SOMETHING THAT'S HEALTHY.
SO, YOU KNOW, WE'VE ALL T TAKEN
THIS 12-WEEK CHALLENGE THAT WIL
THREW OUT THERE AND A BUNCH OF
US IS ON THE BANDWAGON.
IT'S ABOUT BEING HEALTHY.
IT'S CALLED GROWN MAN SEXY.
>> Stephen: IT'S A 12-WEEK
CHALLENGE.
HOW MANY WEEKS AGO DID IT START?
>> WE'RE INTO OUR THIRD WEEK
RIGHT NOW.
>> Stephen: AND HOW'S IT
GOING?
>> I'M DOWN EIGHT POUNDS.
>> Stephen: NICELY DONE.
YEAH, YEAH.
I'M 218 RIGHT NOW.
I'M TRYING TO GET DOWN TO 200,
STEPHEN.
>> Stephen: ALL RIGHT, KEEP US
ABREAST.
>> WHY YOU GOT TO BRING
( BLEEP ) INTO IT WHEN I TOLD
YOU I'M FAT?
>> Stephen: HEY, A MAN LIKES
WHAT HE LIKES, MAN!
( LAUGHTER )
YOU ANNOUNCED -- IT WAS
ANNOUNCED LAST WEEK "BLACK-ISH"
HAS BEEN RENEWED FOR ITS EIGHTH
AND FINAL SEASON.
FIRST OF ALL, CONGRATULATIONS.
ANYTHING ON FOR EIGHT SEASONS,
WHAT AN ACCOMPLISHMENT.
>> THANK YOU.
>> Stephen: BUT SECOND, EIGHT
SEASONS OF A SHOW -- I KNOW WHAT
IT'S LIKE TO DO A SHOW FOR A
LONG TIME.
THAT'S LIKE A LOVE AFFAIR.
WHAT'S IT LIKE.
>> Stephen: BECAUSE YOU'VE GOT
TO BREAK UP WITH YOUR GIRL AT
THE END OF THIS SEASON.
>> YEAH, IT'S BITTERSWEET,
STEPHEN, AS YOU CAN ONLY
IMAGINE, BEING PART OF SOMETHING
AS GREAT AS "BLACK-ISH" AND, YOU
KNOW, TELLING THE STORIES THAT
WE WERE ABLE TO TELL AND DEALING
WITH SOME OF THE SOCIAL ISSUES
TAT WE'VE DEAT WITH IN THE
COMMUNITY AND THIS FAMILY DEALT
WITH.
YOU KNOW, SO, I'M GOING TO MISS
THAT.
BUT, YOU KNOW, GOOD THINGS --
ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO AN END.
>> Stephen: NOW, ANOTHER --
ANOTHER CO--- LET'S GET ANOTHER
SHOT OF YOUR MOM HERE BECAUSE
SHE'S WORTH IT.
ANOTHER CO-STAR HERE IS YOUR
MOM.
YOU'VE DONE COMMERCIALS
TOGETHER, HOSTED A GAME SHOW
TOGETHER.
DO YOU EVER WORRY THAT PEOPLE
LIKE YOUR MOM MORE THAN YOU?
>> NO, I DON'T.
I WANT THEM TO LOVE HER MORE
THAN THEY LOVE ME, BUT THE ISSUE
WITH MY MOTHER IS MY MOTHER
THINKS SHE'S THE REAL STAR,
STEPHEN.
IF YOU TALK TO MY MOM, IT'S HER
SHOW.
>> Stephen: I'M JUST SAYING,
SHE'S GOT A CERTAIN SOMETHING
HERE.
>> YES.
>> Stephen: I MEAN, IT'S HARD
TO BEAT MOMS.
>> IT IS.
IT IS.
BUT YOU KNOW WHAT?
I'M IN A GREAT POSITION TO BE
ABLE TO ALLOW MY MOM TO LIVE OUT
HER DREAMS BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT
MY MOTHER ALWAYS WANTED TO DO AS
A KID GROWING UP.
SHE WANTED TO BE A PERFORMER.
SHE WANTED TO BE AN ACTOR.
>> Stephen: REALLY?
YEAH, BUT, UNFORTUNATELY, SHE
HAS NO TALENT.
YOU KNOW, SHE PUT HER DREAMS ON
HOLD OF BEING AN ACTOR TO RAISE
AN ACTOR, NOT KNOWING SHE'S
DOING THAT.
I DON'T THINK SHE PUT HER DREAMS
ON HOLD ASEN A ACTOR BECAUSE,
LIKE I SAY, THERE'S REALLY NO
TALENT THERE, SO SHE WAS KIND OF
FORCED TO RAISE ME.
>> Stephen: WE HAVE THAT IN
COMMON.
MY MOM WANTED TO BE AN ACTRESS
AND SHE PUT HER DREAMS ON HOLD
TO RAISE ELEVEN CHILDREN AND I
WAS THE LAST ONE.
THE FIRST TIME I GOT MY HEAD
SHOTS TAKEN WHEN I WAS A YOUNG
ACTOR IN CHICAGO, I BROUGHT THEM
TO MY AGENT AND HE WAS GOING TO
THRTHROUGH THE CONTACT SHEET AND
SAYS DO NOT SHOW THESE PHOTOS TO
ANYONE BUT YOUR MOM BECAUSE
THEY'LL HIRE HER.
( LAUGHTER )
WE BOTH CHOSE PLAYED AGAINST
BARACK OBAMA IN SPORTS.
YOU PLAYED HIM IN GOLF AND I
PLAYED HIM IN WASTE PAPER
BASKETBALL.
I SMOKED HIM.
HOW DID YOU DO ON THE GOLF?
>> YEAH, YOU SMOKED HIS AS.
I SAW THAT.
KUDOS TO YOU ON THAT.
>> Stephen: THAT'S WHAT I DO.
WELL, WE PLAYED AT SHERWOOD
COUNTRY CLUB LAST YEAR SOMETIME.
>> Stephen: YEAH.
AND HE CHOKED US.
BUT IT WAS A GREAT FORCE.
>> Stephen: COMPETITIVE?
YEAH, HE'S VERY COMPETITIVE.
TALKS A LOT OF TRASH, AS YOU
KNOW, BUT MY FOURSOME WAS GREAT.
IT WAS CHRIS PAUL, MICHAEL
PHELPS, MYSELF AND PRESIDENT
OBAMA.
HE TALKS A LOT OF TRASH.
FORTUNATELY FOR HIM, HE COULD
BACK IT UP ON THE GOLF COURSE.
HE TOOK OUR MONEY.
>> Stephen: REALLY, WAGERING
WAS INVOLVED?
>> THERE WAS WAGERING.
HE WAS OUT OF THE OFFICE AT THIS
TIME, SO HE GLADLY TOOK OUR
MONEY, YES.
I WAS, LIKE, YO, BARACK, ARE YOU
REALLY GOING TO TAKE THIS MONEY?
HE SAID, I'M A CIVILIAN NOW,
MAN, YEAH, PAY UP.
PAY ME.
YOU CAN'T REALLY TALK THE TRASH
THAT YOU WANT TO TALK TO HIM
BECAUSE OF THE SECRET SERVICEMEN
AND SNIPERS UP IN TREES WITH
ASSAULT RIFLES, SO YOU REALLY
HAVE TO WATCH WHAT YOU SAY.
>> Stephen: SURE.
AND HE PLAYS UP TO THAT.
HE PLAYS THAT UP.
>> Stephen: SURE.
HE KNOWS YOU REALLY CAN'T DO
( BLEEP ) TO HIM.
>> Stephen: EXACTLY.
YOU KNOW, BECAUSE HE'S
PROTECTED.
>> Stephen: OR YOU WILL BE
PLAYING THE NEXT ROUND AT GITMO.
>> EXACTLY.
>> Stephen: ANTHONY, GREAT TO
SEE YOU AGAIN.
GIVE MY BEST TO YOUR MOTHER.
I LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING HER
SOME DAY.
>> LOOK FORWARD TO THAT.
I PROM IS YOU THIS H WHENEVER
I'M BOOKED ON YOUR SHOW IN
NEW YORK I'M BRINGING MY MOTHER
SO WE CAN HANG OUT IN THE STUDIO
TOGETHER.
>> Stephen: THAT WOULD BE
GREAT.
DONE.
"BLACK-ISH" IS AVAILABLE NOW ON
ABC.
ANTHONY ANDERSON, EVERYBODY
WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH THE
DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL
INSTITUTES OF HEALTH DR FRANCIS
♪♪♪ >> Stephen: WELCOME BACK, EVERYBODY.
MY NEXT GUEST IS A PRESIDENTIAL
MEDAL OF FREEDOM RECIPIENT AND
THE DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL
INSTITUTES OF HEALTH.
PLEASE WELCOME TO "A LATE SHOW,"
DR. FRANCIS COLLINS.
DR. COLLINS, GOOD TO SEE YOU
AGAIN.
>> GREAT TO SEE YOU, STEPHEN.
IT'S BEEN A WHILE.
I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO
THE CHANCE TO HANG OUT WITH YOU!
>> Stephen: SO HAVE I.
PEOPLE AT HOME MAY HAVE
REMEMBERED FROM OUR PREVIOUS
INTERVIEWS, I'VE GOT A SOFT SPOT
FOR PEOPLE AT THE N.I.H.
THAT'S WHERE MY DAD WORKED WHEN
I WAS BORN IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
HE WORKED UNDER FAUCI'S OFFICE
THERE AT NIAD.
>> THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.
WE'RE ALL CONNECTED.
>> Stephen: WE ANNOUNCED WE'RE
GOING TO BE BACK IN THE ED
SULLIVAN THEATER IN THREE WEEKS.
AS THE DIRECTOR OF THE N.I.H.
DURING THE PANDEMIC, WHAT'S IT
LIKE TO BE BACK INTO REGULAR
LIFE?
>> IT'S WONDERFUL.
WHEN YOU OPEN IT UP IN THREE
WEEKS ARE YOU ASKING PEOPLE TO
SHOW THEIR VACCINATION STATUS
BEFORE THEY COME IN.
>> Stephen: YES.
IF YOU'RE FULLY VACCINATED, YOU
CAN COME INTO A FULL CAPACITY
AUDIENCE.
>> THAT'S A WONDERFUL EXAMPLE OF
THE KINDS OF THINGS YOU CAN DO.
MY WIFE WENT TO A NATS BASEBALL
GAME YESTERDAY.
I WAS TOO BUSY, BUT NEXT TIME.
WE'VE HAD PEOPLE COME TO THE
HOUSE FOR DINNER AND TAKE OFF
THEIR MASKS BECAUSE THEY'RE
IMMUNIZED.
WE BREAK BREAD, HUG EACH OTHER
AT THE END OF THE EVENING.
I'VE MISSED THAT SO MUCH.
NEALY HALF OF AMERICANS THE
C.D.C. TELLS US HAVE RECEIVED AT
LEAST ONE SHOT.
BUT VACCINATION RATES ARE
DIFFERING WIDELY BY LOCATION.
DO YOU THINK THERE'S A CHANCE
THAT WE WILL EVENTUALLY REACH A
HERD IMMUNITY?
>> IT'S A TRICKY CONCEPT THIS
HERD IMMUNITY THING.
SOME PEOPLE THINK, OH, IT'S THIS
BRIGHT LINE AND YOU WILL GET TO
IT AND STEP OVERIT AND SAY WE'RE
DONE WITH THAT, BUT CONSIDER OUR
COUNTRY IS SO DIVERSE AND YOU
JUST ALLUDED TO THAT IN TERMS OF
VACCINATION RATES.
YOU NEED TO GET 70%, MAYBE 85%
OF PEOPLE IMMUNE BEFORE THE
VIRUS LOSES ITS GRIP ON US, AND
YOU CAN IMAGINE IT MIGHT NOT BE
TOO FAR OFF FOR SOME OF THE
PLACES THAT REALLY HAVE THE
VACCINATIONS GOING UP QUICKLY IN
THE NORTHEAST FOR INSTANCE, AND
OTHER PLACES LAGGING BEHIND,
THEY MAY NOT BE IN THAT SPACE,
AND THAT WORRIES ME THAT COME
THE FALL, WE MAY HAVE MORE
OUTBREAKS AND HOT SPOTS IN
PLACES THAT DIDN'T TAKE
ADVANTAGE OF THE MOMENT TO GET
IMMUNIZED.
THIS IS A DIVIDEND WE SHOULD ALL
EMBRACE.
>> Stephen: ONE OF THE
COMMUNITIES THAT'S BEEN
RESISTANT TO A CERTAIN EXTENT IS
THE EVANGELICAL COMMUNITY
ESPECIALLY IN THE SOUTH OF THE
UNITED STATES.
YOU'RE A MAN OF SCIENCE AND A
PLAN OF FAITH.
WHAT YOU HAVE DONE TO REACH OUT
TO THAT COMMUNITY AND WHAT DO
YOU SAY WHEN YOU DO?
>> I AM AN EVANGELICAL
CHRISTIAN, THAT MAY SURPRISE
PEOPLE THE DIRECTOR TO HAVE THE
N.I.H. HAS THIS PERSPECTIVE, BUT
I DO AND IT'S A CENTRAL PART OF
WHO I AM AND WHAT I BELIEVE.
SO I HAVE DONE A LITTLE
LISTENING.
EVERY PERSON WHO MAY HAVE A
DIFFERENT REASON FOR IT, THERE'S
CERTAINLY A CONCERN AS WERE THE
VACCINES RUSHED.
AS SOMEONE WHO LIVED THIS EVERY
DAY, THEY WERE DONE WITH EXTREME
CARE AND WHAT WE'VE KNOWN ABOUT
THEIR SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS
IS AS GOOD AS WE'VE KNOWN ABOUT
ANY VACCINE.
THERE'S IDEAS IT MAY CAUSE INFER
TILTS, BUT THERE'S NO EVIDENCE
OF THAT.
THERE'S ALSO AN IDEA AMONG
BELIEVERS THAT I'VE PRAYED AND
GOD PROTECTED ME.
IF I ROLL UP MY SLEEVE, DOES
THAT MEAN I DIDN'T TRUST GOD TO
TAKE CARE OF MANY E?
I THINK THAT'S STRAIGHTFORWARD
TO THINK THROUGH AS YOU PUT IT
ON THE TABLE, DOES GOD ONLY
ANSWER PRAYERS THROUGH
SUPERNATURAL INTERVENTION?
HE ANSWERS A LOT OF PRAYERS BY
PEOPLE OR TAKING CAREFUL STEPS
FORWARD.
YOU PUT ON YOUR SEAT BELT THOUGH
YOU'RE ASKING GOD NOT TO LET YOU
DIE IN A WRECK THAT DAY.
YOU PUT YOUR CHILD IN A LIFE
VEST EVEN THOUGH YOU'RE PRAYING
THEY WON'T DROWN.
THIS IS THE KIND OF THING ONE
DOES TO BASICALLY PROVIDE THAT
KIND OF PROTECTION.
IF YOU HAVE BEEN PRAYING
PROTECTION AGAINST COVID 19
SAYING, GOD, WHERE'S THE ANSWER,
MAYBE IT'S THE VACCINES, MAYBE
GOD HAS WORKED THROUGH SCIENCE,
WHICH I THINK FAITH AND SCIENCE
ARE ENTIRELY COMPATIBLE, TO
PROVIDE US WITH THIS KIND OF AN
ANSWER, IT'S A GIFT.
BUT YOU'VE GOT TO UNWRAP THE
GIFT, AND THAT MEANS ROLL UP
YOUR SLEEVE.
>> Stephen: HAVE YOU ALWAYS
THOUGHT THAT FAITH AND SCIENCE
ARE COMPATIBLE?
>> OH, NO.
I WAS AN ATHEIST IN GRADUATE
SCHOOL STUDYING QUANTUM
MECHANICS, LOVING THOSE
EQUATIONS, NOT HAVING MUCH USE
FOR ANYTHING OUTSIDE OF THAT.
DOESN'T REALLY OCCUR TO ME WHY
THEY'D WORK.
I WENT TO MEDICAL SCHOOL,
STEPHEN, AND SAT AT THE BEDSIDE
OF PEOPLE APPROACHING THE END OF
THEIR LIVES AND I REALIZED OUR
MEDICINE WASN'T HELPING THEM
THAT MUCH, AND I SAW THE PEOPLE
WHO DEFENDED ON -- DEPENDED ON
THEIR FAITH AND IT PUZZLED ME.
ONE OF MY PATIENTS ASKED ME ONE
AFTERNOON, DOCTOR, YOU KNOW, I
HAVE BEEN TELLING YOU ABOUT MY
FAITH.
WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE?
I HAD NO ANSWER.
IT'S THE MOST INCREDIBLY
PENETRATING, IMPORTANT QUESTION
ANYONE HAD EVER ASKED ME, AND
MAYBE WILL EVER ASK ANY OF YOU,
WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE?
I REALIZED I BETTER DO SOME WORK
HERE BECAUSE I REALLY DIDN'T
HAVE ANY KIND OF SENSE ABOUT WHY
BELIEVERS BELIEVE OR WHY
ATHEISTS ARE ATHEISTS.
I HAD SORT OF MIGRATED IN THE
DIRECTION OF ATHEISM BECAUSE IT
WAS SORT OF CONVENIENT.
ER AND WHEN I BEGAN TO SURVEY
THE EVIDENCE FOR FAITH, IT BLEW
ME AWAY, THAT THERE WAS A LOT
MORE GOING FOR BEING A BELIEVER
IN GOD THAN AN ATHEIST JUST ON
POWERFUL RATIONAL GROUND.
>> Stephen: YOU'VE CALLED
SCIENCE A FORM OF WORSHIP.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT?
>> WELL, OKAY, CONSIDER THAT
NATURE IS ALSO A GIFT FROM THE
CREATOR, THAT WE AS SCIENTISTS
HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE
NATURE AND SEE HOW IT WORKS,
USING THE INTELLIGENCE THAT WE
HAVE BEEN GIVEN THROUGH THIS
AMAZING PROCESS OF HUMAN AT THIS
ARRIVING ON THE PLANET, TH('á
EVOLUTION, BY THE WAY, LET'S BE
CLEAR ABOUT THAT, THAT WAS GOD'S
PLAN, TOO.
SO SCIENCE IS THEN BASICALLY OUR
OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE GOD'S
CREATION AND TO MARVEL AT IT AND
TO BE IN AWE.
WHEN I'M A SCIENTIST AND I
DISCOVER SOMETHING NOBODY KNEW
BEFORE, THAT'S LIKE THIS RUSH OF
EXCITEMENT, BUT IT'S ALSO A
MOMENT OF WORSHIP, LIKE, OH, GOD
KNEW THAT, AND NOW HE'S GIVEN
ALL OF US A CHANCE TO BEGIN TO
LEARN IT, TOO.
AND IF THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S
EVEN GOING TO ALLEVIATE
SOMEBODY'S SUFFERING, THEN I AM
TRULY BLESSED TO BE ABLE TO BE A
PART OF THAT, SO THE LAB CAN BE
AS MUCH A PLACE OF WORSHIP AS A
CATHEDRAL.
>> Stephen: WE HAVE TO TAKE A
QUICK BREAK BUT WE'LL BE RIGHT
BACK WITH DR. FRANCIS COLLINS.
♪♪♪
I
♪♪♪ SNOOP
>> INTRODUCING OUR NEW CHARACTER BLIPY THE PENGUIN WHO LOOKS AT PILES OF CRAP AND FINDS A KERNEL
OF TRUTH.
GO GET 'EM BLIPY.
>> I THINK ANY RATIONAL JEWISH
PERSON DIDN'T LIKE WHAT HAPPENED
IN NAZI GERMANY AND ANY RATIONAL
JEWISH PERSON DOESN'T LIKE
WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH
OVERBEARING MASK MANDATES AND
OVERBEARING VACCINE POLICY.
>> SHE'S RIGHT, THE HOLOCAUST
WAS OVERBEARING!
>> NICE GOING, BLIPY!
DID SHE SAY RATIONAL JEWISH
PERSON?
HOLY GOD!
♪♪♪
>> Stephen: HEY, EVERYBODY! WE'RE BACK WITH THE DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF
HEALTH, DR. FRANCIS COLLINS.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE JUST
LEARNED RECENTLY IS THAT THERE
WERE SCIENTISTS IN THE WUHAN
VIROLOGY LAB WHO WERE SICK IN
2019 AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE
LEAPING TO THE CONCLUSION THAT
THIS IS EVIDENCE THAT THE
CORONAVIRUS -- THAT THE NOVEL
CORONAVIRUS IS A RESULT OF A LAB
ACCIDENT.
WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THAT CHAIN
OF REASONING?
>> I DON'T KNOW, STEPHEN.
I KNOW THAT THERE ARE
CORONAVIRUS THAT ARE RELATED TO
SARS-CoV-2 THAT HAVE BEEN
IDENTIFIED IN BATS GOING BACK
MANY YEARS, BUT THEY ARE
DIFFERENT ENOUGH THAT THEY DON'T
LIKE THEY WERE THE OBVIOUS
ANCESTOR.
WE HAVEN'T FOUND SORT OF THAT
MISSING LINK, AND ALSO CERTAINLY
POSSIBLE THAT THAT TRANSFER OF
THE VIRUS FROM A BAT TO A HUMAN
HAPPENED SOMEWHERE N CHINA, AND
THIS IS AN ENTIRELY NATURAL
EVENT.
THAT'S PROBABLY THE MOST LIKELY
OUTCOME.
BUT IS THERE SOME CHANCE THAT
SUCH A VIRUS -- I DON'T THINK
GOT ACTUALLY DESIGNED FROM
SCRATCH IN A LABORATORY BECAUSE
I DON'T THINK LABORATORIES WOULD
HAVE HAD THE KNOWLEDGE TO BUILD
THIS ONE BECAUSE IT WAS SUCH A
STRANGE VIRUS, BUT MAYBE THEY
COULD HAVE BEEN STUDYING IT AND
ACCIDENTALLY IT INFECTED A FEW
PEOPLE AND GOT RELEASED.
THAT'S TOLL SPECULATION, BUT --
TOTAL SPECULATION, BUT I DON'T
THINK WE COULD RULE THAT OUT,
AND THAT'S WHY WE NEED A
THOROUGH, DEEP INVESTIGATION
INTO ALL THE DETAILS THAT
HAPPENED IN WUHAN BACK IN THE
FALL OF 2019.
W.H.O. PRIDE TO DO THAT, THE
RESULTS WERE NOT SATISFYING TO
ANYBODY.
WE NEED TO TRY IT AGAIN HERE
WITH REAL ACCESS TO ALL THE
INFORMATION AND FIND OUT WHAT
REALLY WENT ON.
>> Stephen: WELL, YOUR
COLLEAGUE DR. ANTHONY FAUCI
AGREES WITH YOU ON THAT ONE,
SAYS A FULL INVESTIGATION, WE
CAN'T RULE ANYTHING OUT YET.
>> YES.
>> Stephen: I WANT TO ASK YOU
SOMETHING ABOUT HIM, THOUGH, IS
FAUCI HAS BECOME A CELEBRITY
OVER THE PAST YEAR.
YOU'RE HIS BOSS, OKAY, AND YOU
RIDE A MOTORCYCLE.
LOOK AT THAT.
THAT'S YOU.
WHO'S THAT ON THE BACK WITH YOU?
>> OH, THAT WOULD BE JANE G
GOODALL: SHE WOULD WANT YOU TO
KNOW SHE'S NOT WEARING A HELMET
BECAUSE WE WEREN'T ACTUALLY
TRAVELING ANYWHERE AT THE
MOMENT, JUST TO BE CLEAR WITH
THAT.
>> Stephen: YOU HAVE YOUR OWN
BAND WITH ALL MEMBERS OF THE
N.I.H.
ARE YOU EVER OUTRAGE THAT THE
PUBLIC IS IGNORANT OF YOUR OWN
HUNKY DOCTOR STATUS?
>> I THINK THERE'S ROOM IN
SCIENCE FOR TWO HUNKY SCIENCE
DOCTORS.
YOU KNOW WHAT, IT IS SOMETIMES
INTERESTING, I'M IN A PARTY AND
I'M TELLING SOMEONE WHAT I DO
AND I SAID, I'M THE GUY WHO LED
THE HUMAN GENOME PROJECT AND
THEY'RE LIKE, YEAH, YEAH, WHAT'S
DR. FAUCI REEL LIKE?
( LAUGHTER )
>> Stephen: DR. FRANCIS
COLLINS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR
BEING HERE.
WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.
♪♪♪
>> Stephen: THAT'S IT FOR "A LATE SHOW." TUNE IN TOMORROW WHEN MY GUEST
WILL BE GAYLE KING.
JAMES CORDEN IS NEXT.
GOOD NIGHT.
Captioning sponsored by CBS
Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org
♪♪♪ >> I'M ALL RIGHT, BROTHER, HOW ARE YOU?
>> Stephen: HOLDING IT
TOGETHER.
I GET TO GO BACK INTO THE
THEATER.
WE FOUND OUT LAST NIGHT WE GET
TO GO BACK IN THE THEATER ON
JUNE 14.
>> OH, CONGRATULATIONS, BABY,
GOOD FOR YOU!
>> Stephen: THANK YOU.
YOU COULD CUT A DIAMOND WITH MY
NIPPLE IT IS RIGHT NOW I'M SO
EXCITED.
( LAUGHTER )