Captioning sponsored by CBS
>> IT'S "THE LATE SHOW," WITH STEPHEN COLBERT. TONIGHT, EMPIRE STATE OF MIND.
PLUS, STEPHEN WELCOMES
DR. SANJAY GUPTA.
AND RITA MORENO.
FEATURING JON BATISTE AND STAY
HUMAN.
AND NOW, LIVE FROM THE ED
SULLIVAN THEATER IN NEW YORK
CITY, IT'S STEPHEN COLBERT!
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE )
>> Stephen: WHAT'S GOING ON! HELLO! GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN!
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE )
OH, YES.
IT'S STILL NEW.
IT'S STILL WONDERFUL GLAW
STEPHEN!
>> Stephen: HEY!
FANTASTIC!
THANK YOU, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
PLEASE, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
WELCOME, WELCOME, ONE AND ALL,
TO...
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE )
IT'S STILL EXCITING.
IT'S STILL A LITTLE EXCITING.
YEAH.
I-- I KIND OF STILL FEEL THE
SAME WAY.
NOW, WELCOME, WELCOME, LADIES
AND GENTLEMEN, TO "THE LATE
SHOW."
I'M YOUR HOST, STEPHEN COLBERT,
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE )
♪ ♪ ♪
TONIGHT IS OUR SECOND SHOW BACK,
AND IT IS GREAT TO BE HERE WITH
ALL THESE FULLY-VACCINATED
PEOPLE.
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE )
GOT THE COVID SHOT.
THEY FEEL GOOD.
THEY'RE IMMORTAL.
AND THEY ARE NOT ALONE, BECAUSE
TODAY, THE STATE OF NEW YORK
OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED A 70%
VACCINATION RATE.
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE )
WOOO!
WOOO,s BABY!
70%.
THAT'S THE-- THAT'S AN IMPORTANT
THRESHOLD.
THAT IS A C-MINUS.
HELL, YEAH!
AND THAT'S GREAT.
BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE TO TAKE
SUMMER SCHOOL, I THINK.
I THINK THAT'S WHAT THAT MEANS.
ALSO, BECAUSE HERD
IMMUNITY IS COMMONLY CONSIDERED
TO BE ACHIEVED AT SOMEWHERE
BETWEEN 70% TO 80%, SO NEW YORK
STATE WILL LIFT "VIRTUALLY ALL"
COVID RESTRICTIONS, INCLUDING
REMAINING CAPACITY LIMITS,
SOCIAL DISTANCING, AND CLEANING
AND DISINFECTING MANDATES.
WHICH MEANS--
( LAUGHTER )
WHICH MEANS THAT PIZZA RAT CAN
FINALLY DINE INSIDE AGAIN.
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ).
NOW-- CASUAL.
A HAWAIIAN SHIRT?
HAVE A HAWAIIAN SHIRT ON?
TO RECOGNIZE THE 70% MILESTONE.
THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING WILL
BE LIT UP IN BLUE AND GOLD
LIGHTS.
AND, LISTEN, KEEP IN MIND-- WE
ONLY LIGHT UP THE EMPIRE STATE
FOR TRULY HISTORIC OCCASIONS,
LIKE THE ROLLOUT OF BLUE M&Ms,
FOOD ALLERGY AWARENESS WEEK, AND
THE WESTMINSTER DOG SHOW.
( LAUGHTER )
DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS TO
DOGS?
NOTHING BECAUSE THEY CAN'T SEE
COLOR.
( APPLAUSE )
AND THIS CELEBRATION-- THIS
CELEBRATION DOES NOT STOP WITH
JUST THE GLOWY SKYSCRAPERS.
IN JULY, NEW YORK CITY IS
HOLDING A TICKER-TAPE PARADE
HONORING FRONTLINE WORKERS.
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE )
YEAH, PERFECT, PERFECT.
I'LL BE THERE.
WILL YOU BE THERE?
I'LL BE THROWING RIGHT OFF THE
TOP OF THE THEATER HERE.
TO TELL US ABOUT IT, LET'S GO TO
PARADE HYPE MAN, BILL
de BLASIO.
>> WE ARE GOING TO HAVE
ESSENTIAL WORKERS CELEBRATED,
GROUPS OF ESSENTIAL WORKERS,
FLOATS FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS,
FIRST RESPONDERS, EDUCATORS
MUNICIPAL WORKERS,
TRANSPORTATION WORKERS, GROCERY
AND BODEGA WORKERS, DELIVERY
PEOPLE.
>> Stephen: DELIVERY PEOPLE--
THAT'S GOING TO MAKE LUNCH
ORDERS A LITTLE COMPLICATED.
"OKAY, IT SAYS MY SALAD IS
ON A FLOAT COMING DOWN 6th
AVENUE.
( LAUGHTER )
IT'S STUCK BETWEEN THE
ROCKETTES AND DELTA AIRLINES
PRESENTS MICHAEL BUBLE."
( LAUGHTER )
OTHER STATES ARE ALSO VAXXED UP
AND READY TO PARTY.
TODAY, CALIFORNIA LIFTED NEARLY
ALL OF ITS PANDEMIC
RESTRICTIONS, ACCORDING TO
CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR AND TECH
C.E.O. REASSURING STAFF THAT
WHILE THE STARTUP IS CLOSING, HE
WILL REMAIN RICH, GAVIN NEWSOM.
IN MAKING THE ANNOUNCEMENT,
NEWSOM SUMMONED ALL THE DIGNITY
FOR WHICH CALIFORNIA IS
RENOWNED:
( MUSIC, MINIONS MAKING NOISE
>> AND NOW PLEASE WELCOME TO THE
STAGE, CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR GAVIN
NEWSOM.
( APPLAUSE )
>> WELL, GOOD MORNING,
EVERYBODY.
>> Optimus Prime: GOOD MORNING,
GOVERNOR.
>> WAS THAT OPTIMUS PRIME?
>> Optimus Prime: IT IS A
PRIVILEGE TO STAND BY YOUR SIDE.
( LAUGHTER )
( APPLAUSE )
>> Stephen:
( AS OPTIMUS PRIME )
"IT WAS ALSO A PLEASURE TO DRY
HUMP YOUR PRIUS IN THE PARKING
LOT.
( LAUGHTER )
I'M INTO BOT PLAY.
I WILL PAY TO HAVE IT CLEANED."
NEWSOME CALIFORNIA'D ON:
CALIFORNIA IS OPEN AGAIN.
( MUSIC, MINIONS MAKING NOISES)
>> CALIFORNIA HAS TURNED THE
PAGE.
LET US ALL CELEBRATE THIS
REMARKABLE MILESTONE!
♪ ♪ ♪
>> Stephen: CALIFORNIA IS BACK
OPEN FOR BUSINESS!
AND NOTHING SAYS "READY FOR
OPENING WITHOUT ANY UNFORESEEN
DIRE CONSEQUENCES" LIKE THE GUY
FROM "JURASSIC PARK"!
( LAUGHTER )
( APPLAUSE )
NOW-- IT'S GOING TO BE FINE.
IT'S GOING TO BE FINE.
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ).
>> Jon: I REMEMBER THAT MOVIE.
>> Stephen: HOLD ON TO YOUR
BUTTS!
UP IN VERMONT, THEY'RE CRUSHING
THE INJECTION GAME, BECOMING THE
FIRST STATE TO REACH AN 80%
VACCINE THRESHOLD.
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE )
THAT'S FANTASTIC.
IT'S AMAZING.
THEY SHOULD BE PROUD OF
THEMSELVES.
IT'S ALL THANKS TO VERMONT'S
VACCINE INCENTIVE PROGRAM:
ANYONE WHO DOESN'T GET A SHOT
GETS A PERSONAL VISIT FROM
BERNIE SANDERS.
( AS BERNIE )
"KNOCK-KNOCK, DING-DONG!
OPEN THE DAMN DOOR AND SHOW ME
YOUR VACCINATION CARD!
DON'T MAKE ME TAKE OFF MY
MITTENS!
AND OF AND WHILE I'M HERE I
GOTTA ASK.
WHAT'S THE SOUP SITUATION IN
THIS HOUSE?
I SMELL NAVY BEAN.
DO NOT LIE TO ME!"
WE'RE ALL ANTICIPATING THE
SHOWDOWN, AMERICA'S JOE BIDEN
VERSUS RUSSIAN PRESIDENT
VLADIMIR PUTIN, SEEN HERE
LAUGHING AT THE LAST JOKE YOU'LL
EVER TELL.
BACK IN MARCH, BIDEN CALLED
PUTIN A "KILLER," BUT YESTERDAY,
THE DEFINITELY-A-MURDERER
EXPLAINED THAT ALL THE BAD
THINGS HE IS ACCUSED OF,
AMERICANS DO, TOO.
>> (translated): WE HAVE A
SAYING: "DON'T BE MAD AT THE
MIRROR IF YOU ARE UGLY.
IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU
PERSONALLY.
BUT IF SOMEBODY BLAMES US FOR
SOMETHING, WHAT I SAY IS, WHY
DON'T YOU LOOK AT YOURSELVES?
YOU WILL SEE YOURSELVESIN THE
MIRROR, NOT US."
>> Stephen: MY FAVORITE SAYINGS
ARE THE ONES THAT ARE
CONVOLUTED AND NEED A LOT OF
EXPLANATION.
( LAUGHTER )
REMINDS ME OF THE BEAUTIFUL
NEEDLEPOINT THROW PILLOW WE HAD
GROWING UP:
"THE EARLY BIRD GETS THE WORM,
BECAUSE HE'S THERE BEFORE THE
BIRDS WHO ARE ON TIME, AND
THERE'S A FIXED NUMBER OF WORMS.
YOU ARE NOT A BIRD, BUT YOU CAN
LEARN FROM BIRDS.
THEY ARE VALUABLE.
IN FACT, IF YOU CAN GET ONE
OF THEM IN YOUR HAND, THAT'S
WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH, WHICH IS
A WHOLE 'NOTHER THING I DON'T
EVEN HAVE TIME TO STITCH RIGHT
NOW."
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE )
PUTIN ALSO OFFERED UP THE
ULTIMATE INSULT TO THE
PRESIDENT.
>> ( translated): PRESIDENT
BIDEN, OF COURSE,
IS RADICALLY DIFFERENT FROM
TRUMP, BECAUSE PRESIDENT BIDEN
IS A CAREER MAN.
HE'S SPENT VIRTUALLY HIS ENTIRE
ADULTHOOD IN POLITICS.
>> Stephen:
( AS PUTIN )
"UNLIKE ME, WHO SPENT 17 YEARS
AS K.G.B. SPY.
YOU CAN'T REALLY UNDERSTAND THE
AVERAGE MAN UNTIL YOU'VE SPRAYED
NERVE GAS IN HIS UNDERWEAR."
( LAUGHTER )
BUT BIDEN IS NOT GOING TO BE
INTIMIDATED.
>> IN A WEEKEND INTERVIEW,
VLADIMIR PUTIN LAUGHED AT THE
SUGGESTION THAT YOU HAD
CALLED HIM A KILLER.
IS THAT STILL YOUR BELIEF, SIR,
THAT HE IS A KILLER?
( LAUGHS )
>> TO ANSWER THE FIRST QUESTION
( LAUGHS )
I AM LAUGHING, TOO.
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE )
>> Stephen: I'M LAUGHING TOO.
I JUST REMEMBERED A BZOOKA JOE
COMIC FROM A GUM I CHEWED IN
1972.
WHAT ARE YOU GUYS TALKIN'
ABOUT?"
SPEAKING OF ENEMIES OF THE
UNITED STATES, THERE'S SOME
UPDATES ON THE CAPITOL RIOTERS.
AND I'LL TELL YOU ALL ABOUT IT
IN TONIGHT'S "SEDITIONIST
ROUND-UP ROUNDUP."
>> I AM NOT A-MOOOOOS-ED BY THIS
BULL!
>> Stephen: FIRST UP IN THE
ROUND-UP:
NEW HAMPSHIRE NATIVE AND GUY
TEACHING A CRYPTOCURRENCY CLASS
FROM HIS MOM'S BASEMENT, JASON
RIDDLE.
EVEN THOUGH HE WAS ARRESTED BACK
IN FEBRUARY FOR HIS PART IN THE
RIOT, ON SUNDAY, RIDDLE
ANNOUNCED THAT HE IS RUNNING TO
SERVE AS THE HOUSE
REPRESENTATIVE FOR NEW
HAMPSHIRE'S SECOND CONGRESSIONAL
DISTRICT.
( BOOING )
BUT RIDDLE DID NOT KNOW THAT:
>> Reporter: HE SAYS HE'S
RUNNING AGAINST DEMOCRAT ANNIE
KUSTER IN THE 2022 MIDTERM
ELECTIONS.
KUSTER IS CURRENTLY IN HER FIFTH
TERM AS A U.S. CONGRESSWOMAN
REPRESENTING NEW HAMPSHIRE'S
SECOND DISTRICT.
>> I THOUGHT ANN WAS A STATE
REPRESENTATIVE.
>> Reporter: NO.
SO A STATE REP IS IN THE STATE
HOUSE IN CONCORD.
>> YEAH, THAT'S WHAT ANN IS!
>> Reporter: NO, NO, NO.
SHE'S IN WASHINGTON.
>> OH, WELL, I GUESS I GOTTA RUN
AGAINST THAT THEN.
( LAUGHTER )
>> Stephen: EXPLAINS HIS
CAMPAIGN SLOGAN:
"JASON RIDDLE FOR...
I DUNNO.
YOUR GUESS IS AS GOOD AS MINE!"
( LAUGHTER )
( APPLAUSE )
NEXT UP--
( APPLAUSE )
A LITTLE RESEARCH.
>> Jon: YOU GOTTA DO YOUR
RESEARCH.
>> Stephen: NEXT UP, REMEMBER
THIS GUY WHO PUT HIS FEET ON
NANCY PELOSI'S DESK?
( BOOING
( YOU EVIDENTLY DO.
( LAUGHTER )
THAT'S RICHARD "BIGO" BARNETT, A
SELF-AVOWED WHITE NATIONALIST,
WHO ON SUNDAY APPEARED ON
RUSSIAN STATE TV.
HE HIT-- HE HIT ALL THE RUSSIAN
SUNDAY SHOWS:
"OPPRESS THE NATION,"
"MURDER THE PRESS,"
pAND, "FOX NEWS SUNDAY."
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE )
JUST KIDDING, CHRIS.
I LOVE YOU, CHRIS.
PLEASE COME BACK.
NEXT UP, THE FIRST RIOTERS TO
PLEAD GUILTY TO A MISDEMEANOR
ARE JOSHUA AND JESSICA BUSTLE,
A MARRIED COUPLE FROM VIRGINIA.
YES, FOR THEIR WEDDING, THEY
WERE REGISTERED AT "THE KNOT,"
ALSO "THE KNOOSE."
( LAUGHTER )
THE BUSTLES-- WOW.
DON'T BE MEAN TO MIKE PENCE,
STEVE!
GOOD GUY.
THE BUSTLES PLED GUILTY TO
UNLAWFUL DEMONSTRATION AFTER
JOSHUA FILMED JESSICA INSIDE THE
CAPITOL BUILDING.
SHE ALSO POSTED A LOT OF ANGRY
STUFF ABOUT VACCINES ON
FACEBOOK, BUT IN COURT, JESSICA
ADDED, "I'M ADMITTING GUILT TO
THE THINGS THAT I SAID, AND I'M
SORRY FOR SAYING THEM.
THERE WERE ALSO OTHER THINGS
THAT WERE SAID IN POSTS THAT
WERE KIND, LIKE 'PRAY FOR
AMERICA,' THAT WEREN'T
INCLUDED."
( LAUGHTER )
THAT'S LIKE A MURDERER ADMITTING
HE STABBED A GUY, BUT HE WANTS
CREDIT BECAUSE AFTERWARDS HE
WROTE, "DON'T DO DRUGS."
( LAUGHTER )
WE'VE GOT A GREAT SHOW FOR YOU
TONIGHT.
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE )
MY GUESTS ARE DR. SANJAY GUPTA
AND RITA MORENO.
BUT WHEN WE RETURN,s OH, WE
HAVE SUCH A GREAT SECOND ACT FOR
YOU, "QUARANTINE-WHILE."
STICK AROUND.
♪ ♪ ♪
>> Stephen: HEY, EVERYBODY, WELCOME BACK!
GIVE IT UP FOR JON BATISTE AND
STAY HUMAN.
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE )
>> Jon: AAAAHHH!
( APPLAUSE )
THERE'S A VIBE.
>> Stephen: I WAS JUST
SAYING-- JON, I WAS JUST SAYING
THAT, YOU KNOW, I CAN'T BELIEVE
WHAT A JOY IT IS TO DO THE SHOW
FOR A LIVE AUDIENCE.
I MEAN, THIS IS WHAT I DID FOR,
LIKE, 35 YEARS AND NOT HAVING IT
FOR A YEAR WAS REALLY WEIRD.
BUT WHAT I DIDN'T EXPECT WAS TO
HAVE FORGOTTEN HOW MUCH EASIERED
IT TO DO IT FOR PEOPLE THAN NOT
FOR PEOPLE.
( LAUGHTER )
BECAUSE WE HAD TO DO IT FOR SO
LONG--
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE )
I MEAN, I GUESS-- HOW ABOUT
THIS?
I GUESS "EASY" ISN'T THE WORD.
IT TAKES ENERGY TO THROW STUFF
AT THE AUDIENCE, BUT THEY GIVE
IT BACK, YOU KNOW.
IT'S A RELATIONSHIP, WHICH I
REALLY LOVE.
>> Jon: YES.
>> Stephen: AND I WAS JUST
WONDERING--
( APPLAUSE )
I'M JUST WONDERING FOR Y'ALL
OVER THERE, I MEAN, YOU'RE ALL
LIVE PERFORMERS.
WHAT IS THIS LIKE FOR YOU TO BE
BACK IN FRONT OF AN AUDIENCE?
>> Jon: OH, MY GOODNESS.
IT'S A RECIPROCAL EMOTIONAL
RELATIONSHIP.
>> Stephen: YES, IT IS.
( APPLAUSE )
>> Jon: WE-- WE DO THE SHOW
WITH THE PEOPLE, THAT'S WHAT I
WOULD SAY.
IT'S NOT JUST FOR THE PEOPLE.
IT'S WITH THE PEOPLE.
>> Stephen: THAT'S EXACTLY
RIGHT.
>> Jon: WHEN YOU GET BACK IN
YOU REALLY REMEMBER THAT.
AND I DON'T WANT TO GO BACK.
( LAUGHTER ).
>> Stephen: NO, NO, KNOCK
WOOD.
KNOCK WOOD.
( APPLAUSE )
>> Jon: HERE WE GO.
HERE WE GO.
( APPLAUSE )
>> Stephen: WELL, I'M HAPPY TO
BE HERE BECAUSE, FOLKS.
I SPEND A LOT OF TIME GATHERING
THE FINEST, MOST TOPICAL STORIES
ABOUT NATIONAL STUDIES,
SCIENTIFIC BREAKTHROUGHS, AND
DRUNK MOOSE BREAKING INTO ICE
CREAM SHOPS, ONLY TO HAVE A
PANDEMIC HIT, DURING WHICH I
TAKE THEM INTO A SAD, EMPTY
LITTLE ROOM WHERE MY ONLY
FRIENDS ARE ROBOT CAMERAS AND A
PURELL BOTTLE, AND I LET MYSELF
GO WHILE SLOWLY DESCENDING INTO
MADNESS AS I SHOVE MY SWEET
INNOCENT LITTLE JOKES INTO A
SEGMENT THAT I AM FORCED TO
RENAME "QUARANTINE-WHILE."
BUT SOMETIMES, I CRAWL OUT OF
THE BROOM CLOSET AFTER 15
MONTHS, POUR MYSELF BACK INTO A
SUIT, ASSEMBLE THE TOP TEAM IN
THE BUSINESS, THE SWINGIN'EST
BAND IN LATE NIGHT, AND THE
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE )
BEST DAMN AUDIENCE IN THE WORLD.
SO I CAN RETURN TO YOUR LOVING
ARMS THE KICK-ASS,
PROPERLY-PRESENTED
CELEBRATION OF MARGINAL NEWS
THAT IS MY SEGMENT:
"MEANWHILE!"
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE )
THERE IT IS.
"MEANWHILE!"
IT HEALED A NATION.
IT'S BACK, BABY!
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE )
ACCEPT NO SUBSTITUTES.
IT'S A MILESTONE.
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE )
AND, LO, IT HAS COME TO PASS!
MEANWHILE, IN MASSACHUSETTS,
A COMMERCIAL LOBSTER DIVER WAS
SWALLOWED WHOLE BY A HUMPBACK
WHALE.
REMINDS ME OF THAT FAMOUS BIBLE
STORY: "MICHAEL PACKARD, THE
COMMERCIAL LOBSTER DIVER, AND
THE WHALE."
THE GUY'S TOTALLY OKAY, AND
APPARENTLY WAS TRAPPED IN ITS
GULLET FOR NEARLY A MINUTE
BEFORE BEING COUGHED BACK UP.
THE FACT THAT HE TASTED BAD
SAVED HIS LIFE.
THAT'S WHY I NEVER GO SWIMMING
WITHOUT MY CILANTRO SHORTSZ.
BUT NOW THAT THE ORDEAL IS OVER,
MR. PACKARD HAS ONE REQUEST--
THAT MATT DAMON PLAY HIM IN THE
MOVIE.
( LAUGHTER )
( APPLAUSE )
REALLY!
WOW!
A WHOLE MATT DAMON MOVIE, ABOUT
ONE MINUTE IN A WHALE'S MOUTH.
MIGHT SEEM LIKE A STRETCH, BUT
HOLLYWOOD IS ALREADY DEVELOPING
"GOOD WILL HUMPBACK" AND
"PUKING PRIVATE PRIVATE RYAN."
MEANWHILE, IN CELEBRITY NEWS,
MADE OUT AT A STEAMY,
P.D.A.-PACKED DINNER.
OH, MY GOD.
IT'S 2004 ALL OVER AGAIN.
THROW ME IN A VELOUR TRACKSUIT
THAT SAYS "JUICY" ACROSS THE
BUTT AND VOTE KERRY/EDWARDS CUZ
I AM ALL IN ON BENNIFER!
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE )
THIS IS SO EXCITING.
THIS IS LIKE "GIGLI" IF PEOPLE
HAD WANTED TO SEE IT.
( LAUGHTER )
SOME "GIGLI" FANS HERE TONIGHT.
MAYBE ALL OF THE "GIGLI" FANS
HERE TONIGHT.
MEANWHILE, BECAUSE OF STAFFING
SHORTAGES,s THE T.S.A.
IS ASKING ITS OFFICE WORKERS TO
HELP OUT AT CHECKPOINTS THIS
SUMMER.
OH, GOOD.
GET READY FOR A FULL PAT-DOWN
FROM BRAD IN ACCOUNTING.
( LAUGHTER )
THE PROGRAM HAS ALREADY STARTED,
WITH THE T.S.A. SAYING THAT
OFFICES "HAVE BEEN SENDING UP
VOLUNTEERS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK,
AND THEY'VE BEEN ACCEPTED TO
DEPLOY."
"DEPLOY"?
CHILL OUT, T.S.A.
IT'S THE SECURITY LINE AT
O'HARE, NOT VIETNAM.
( AS GRUFF SOLDIER )
"I'LL NEVER FORGET THE LOOK IN
THAT MAN'S EYES WHEN I TOLD HIM
HE HAD TO TAKE HIS SHOES OFF.
WE LOST A LOT OF GOOD WATER
BOTTLES THAT DAY."
( LAUGHTER )
MEANWHILE, BIG ECHIDNA NEWS,
BECAUSE "AUSTRALIAN RESEARCHERS
HAVE DISCOVERED WHY ONLY TWO OF
THE ECHIDNA'S FOUR PENIS HEADS
BECOME ERECT AT ONE TIME."
I'M GOING TO SAY YOU'RE BURYING
THE LEDE THERE, SCIENCE.
HOW CAN THE FACT THAT THIS
LITTLE GUY IS ROCKIN' FOUR DONGS
NOT BE THE HEADLINE?
THAT'S LIKE REPORTING, "DEWEY
DEFEATS TRUMAN AND HIS FOUR
PENISES, ONLY TWO OF THEM
ERECT!"
( LAUGHTER )
( APPLAUSE )
WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH
DR. SANJAY GUPTA.
♪ ♪ ♪
( APPLAUSE ) >> Stephen: HEY, EVERYBODY,
WELCOME BACK TO "THE LATE SHOW."
MY FIRST GUEST HAS WORKED
TIRELESSLY THROUGHOUT THE
PANDEMIC TO DELIVER FACTS TO THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE AS CNN'S CHIEF
MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT.
THE LAST TIME HE WAS HERE IN THE
THEATER, THERE WAS NO AUDIENCE
TO GIVE HIM A PROPER WELCOME.
LET'S MAKE UP FOR THAT RIGHT
NOW.
PLEASE WELCOME BACK TO "THE LATE
SHOW," DR. SANJAY GUPTA!
♪ ♪ ♪
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE
) >> Stephen: SANJAY GUPTA, EVERYBODY.
ISN'T THAT NICE?
>> WOW.
>> Stephen: NOW AND I HAVE
SPOKEN A FEW TIMES OVER THE
COVID LOCKDOWN, OVER THE ZOOM
INTERVIEWS.
WHICH WAS GREAT.
WE HAD A GOOD TIME TALKING TO
YOU, WE GOT INFORMATION OUT
THERE.
BUT THE THING THAT IS COMING
BACK TO ME NOW, THE EMOTIONAL
MOMENT THAT I'M RELIVING WAS--
YOU WERE MY LAST GUEST IN THIS
THEATER IN 2020, ON MARCH 12 OF
2020.
WE HAD NO AUDIENCE.
THERE WERE SOME STAFF MEMBERS.
I HAVE A PHOTO RIGHT HERE.
THERE YOU GO.
WE HAD A FEW STAFF MEMBERS OUT
IN THE AUDIENCE, AND JON BATISTE
WAS AT THE PIANO, RIGHT, JON?
>> Jon: YUP.
>> Stephen: YOU WERE AT THE
PIANO, AND THAT WAS IT.
AND WE LEANED ON YOU TO TELL US
WHAT YOU THOUGHT WE WERE ABOUT
TO GO INTO.
HOW-- HOW DO YOU THINK WE DID
FOR THE LAST 15 MONTHS?
( LAUGHTER )
LOOKING BACK ON THAT NIGHT AND
THE NEXT 15 MONTHS, WHAT'S YOUR
TAKEAWAY FROM WHAT WE'VE
EXPERIENCED?
>> IT'S SO-- IT'S SO HARD TO
SORT OF PIECE THIS ALL TOGETHER,
YOU KNOW, STEPHEN.
I HAVE TO SAY, FIRST OF ALL, IT
IS REALLY WONDERFUL TO BE HERE.
I MEAN, IT JUST-- IT FEELS--
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE )
>> Stephen: IT'S GREAT TO HAVE
AN AUDIENCE BACK.
>> I MEAN I THINK-- I THINK YOU
FORGET WHAT YOU MISS, JUST BEING
BATHED IN A SEA OF HUMANITY.
I LOVE THIS.
IT'S REALLY WONDERFUL.
AND I THINK THERE WERE TIMES
OVER THIS PAST YEAR WHEN I
DIDN'T KNOW IF IT WAS GOING TO
HAPPEN AGAIN.
I KNEW THAT IT WOULD HAPPEN
AGAIN, I JUST DIDN'T KNOW WHEN.
THE FUTURE JUST SORT OF LOOKED
BLANK WHEN I LOOKED OUT THERE.
IT WASN'T THAT IT WAS DARK OR
LIGHT.
THERE WAS NOPTH THERE FOR A
PERIOD OF TIME.
HOW DID WE DO?
WELL, STEPHEN, I THINK-- I
REMEMBER YOU ASKING ME, "IS IT
TIME TO PANIC?"
AND I SAID, "I DON'T KNOW THAT
PANIC HAS A REAL PURPOSE.
WE NEED TO PLAN.
WE NEED TO DO THINGS."
AS YOU KNOW, STEPHEN, 600,000
PEOPLE HAVE DIED.
SO I AM STILL-- MY HEART IS
STILL SO TIGHT.
I'M SO HAPPY TO BE HERE.
I FEEL LIKE I'M GOING TO MARK
MOMENTS OF THIS PANDEMIC BY THIS
SHOW BY SITTING WITH YOU, AS YOU
SHOWED IN THAT PICTURE AND BEING
HERE TONIGHT.
BUT WE DIDN'T DO VERY WELL.
WE COULD HAVE DONE SO MUCH
BETTER, AND THAT MAKES IT REALLY
HEARTBREAKING.
>> Stephen: PEOPLE ARE WORRIED
ABOUT VARIANTS, STILL, MEANING
PEOPLE WHO KNOW WHAT THEY'RE
TALKING ABOUT, SPECIFICALLY
SOMETHING RISING-- SOMETHING
CALLED THE DELTA VARIANT.
WHAT IS THAT AND HOW CONCERNED
SHOULD I BE?
>> SO DELTA VARIANT IS A VARIANT
SPREADING IN INDIA.
THIS HAS CAUSED A LOT OF THE
INCREASES IN THE U.K.
THE U.K. VARIANT IS NO LONGER
THE DOMINANT VARIANT IN THE U.K.
IT IS THE DELTA VARPT BECAUSE IT
IS MORE PERMISSIBLE.
ABOUT 10% HERE HAVE THE DELTA
VARIANT.
IF YOU FOLLOW IT, IT SORT OF
DOUBLES EVERY COUPLE OF WEEKS.
SO, YES, IT WILL BECOME DOMINANT
HERE JUST BY MATH, BECAUSE IT
CROWDS OUT THE OTHER
LESS-TRANSMISSIBLE VARIANT.
>> Stephen: DOES THE VACCINE
STOP THE DELTA VARIANT?
>> YES, THE VACCINE WORKS WELL.
IT HAS A LITTLE BIT OF A REDUCED
EFFECT AGAINST IT BUT IT WORKS
WELL AGAINST THE DELTA.
>> Stephen: SO IF YOU HAVE THE
VACCINE, YOU SHOULDN'T WHERE ARE
ABOUT DEATH OR HOSPITALIZATION
OF THE VARIANT?
>> THAT'S THE THING.
IF YOU'RE VACCINATED, I THINK
YOU SHOULD FEEL PRETTY GOOD THAT
YOU'RE NOT LIKELY TO GET SICK OR
SPREAD IT.
BUT IF YOU'RE NOT, I HAVE TO
SAY, YOU SORT OF THOUGHT YOU GOT
AWAY WITH IT.
"I DIDN'T GET INFECTED.
THIS THING IS IN THE REARVIEW
MIRRORMENT.
THIS THING IS 60% MORE
TRANSMISSIBLE, ROUGHLY.
THINGS YOU GOT AWAY WITH BEFORE
IF YOU WERE UNVACCINATED, YOU'RE
PROBABLY GOING TO HAVE A HARDER
TIME.
>> Stephen: EVEN A BETTER
REASON TO GET THE SHOT NOW.
>> EVERYTHING COMES BACK TO
THAT.
THAT'S ANOTHER THING WE DIDN'T
KNOW IN MARCH OF LAST YEAR THAT
WE WOULD HAVE A VACCINE.
>> Stephen: SO FAST.
>> SO FAST AND SO EFFECTIVE,
90-PLUS PERCENT EFFECTIVE.
I DO NOT THINK WE CAN CELEBRATE
THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THAT SCIENCE
ENOUGH.
IT WILL FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGE
SCIENCE.
IT WILL CHANGE THE PACE.
THE mRNA MAY BE THERAPIES FOR
ANCER IN THE FUTURE.
>> Stephen: AND I HAVE NEVER
GOTTEN A CLEARER SIGNAL ON MY
5"G" PHONE BEFORE.
IT'S AMAZING THE COVERAGE I GET.
>> ALL THE EXTRA BENEFITS.
>> Stephen: I HAVE TO ASK
SOMETHING ON A LOT OF PEOPLE'S
MINDS.
ONE OF THE THINGS SCIENCE DOES,
IT APPROACHES INFORMATION WITH
HUMILITY, AND CHANGES AS NEW
INFORMATION COMES IN.
WHAT ABOUT THE ORIGINS OF THE
CORONAVIRUS?
IS BECAUSE MANY PEOPLE,
INCLUDING A DEAR FRIEND OF
MINE--
>> YES, I HEARD.
( LAUGHTER ).
>> Stephen: BELIEVE THAT IT'S
GOT TO BE THE WUHAN
CORONAVIRUS-- NOVEL CORONAVIRUS
LAB.
WHY ELSE WOULD THEY NAME IT THAT
IF THEY DIDN'T MAKE IT?
NOW, YOU'RE LAUGHING BUT I'M
JUST CURIOUS WHAT YOU THINK OF
THAT RATIONALE?
AND IS THERE NEW INFORMATION?
I KNOW THIS IDEA, THIS THEORY
HAS BEEN UP-DRAFTED RECENTLY.
AND IS THERE ANY EVIDENCE?
BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO BE
RIGHT.
I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE
TRUTH IS.
WHAT DO WE KNOW SO FAR.
>> YEAH --
>> Stephen: I DO WANT TO BE
RIGHT, THOUGH.
( LAUGHTER ).
>> I THINK THAT THIS REALLY HAS
TO BE INVESTIGATED.
I MEAN I THINK-- THE LAB LEAK
THEORY WAS DISMISSED BY A LOT OF
PEOPLE AND USED FOR POLITICAL
SORT OF GAMESMANSHIP, WITHOUT
ANY EVIDENCE.
THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT IT
LEAKED FROM A LAB.
THERE'S NO EVIDENCE THAT IT
DIDN'T LEAK FROM A LAB.
IT'S SORT OF THE NATURE OF
SCIENCE AGAIN.
>> Stephen: WHY DOES IT COME
BACK AROUND AGAIN, AND PEOPLE
LIKE ANTHONY FAUCI AND FRANCIS
COLININS ARE SAYING NO, IT
SHOULD DEFINITELY BE
INVESTIGATED.
>> I DID THIS INTERVIEW WITH
ROBERT REDFIELD, WHO WAS HEAD OF
THE C.D.C. AT THE TIME, AND HE
CAME OUT AND SAID-- THIS WAS IN
FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR-- THAT HE
THINKS THAT'S LIKELY HOW THIS
ESCAPED.
AND HE'S SOMEONE WHO HAD ACCESS
TO WITHDRAW RAW INTELLIGENCE AND
RAW DATA.
AND WHEN YOU START TO LOOK AT
THE PIECES, LIKE WERE THERE
PEOPLE WHO GOT SICK IN THAT
INSTITUTE OF I HAVEROLOGY?
THEY GOT SICK IN
OCTOBER-NOVEMBER TIME FRAME.
THAT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE WE
THOUGHT THIS DIDN'T START TO HIT
UNTIL DECEMBER.
WAS IT CAUSED BY COVID OR
SOMETHING ELSE?
WE FOUND OUT LOTS OF PERSONAL
PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT WAS BEING
PURCHASED IN CHINA FROM OTHER
COUNTRIES, INCLUDING THE UNITED
STATES, AT LEAST 30 DAYS BEFORE
THE REST OF THE WORLD WAS GIVEN
NOTICE.
DID THEY KNOW SOMETHING?
WAS SOMETHING KNOWN?
WE DON'T HAVE EVIDENCE TO SAY
THAT THAT PROVES TO A LAB LEAK
THEORY.
>> Stephen: THAT-- THAT POINTS
TO DECEPTION.
>> IT POINTS TO DECEPTION.
>> Stephen: BUT IT DOESN'T
POINT TO--
>> BUT WHY DECEPTION.
ABSOLUTELY.
THE IDEA THAT WAS
BIOMANUFACTURED ASAISE WEAPON
SOMEHOW VERSUS AN ACCIDENTAL LAB
LEAK VERSUS A NATURAL JUMP FROM
ANIMALS TO HUMANS.
THOSE ARE REALLY THE THREE
THINGS ON THE TABLE.
THE BIOWEAPON PART OF IT, I
THINK MOST PEOPLE DON'T REALLY
THINK THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED.
BUT THE IDEA THAT THIS VIRUS
COULD HAVE BEEN STUDIED IN THE
LAB, COULD HAVE BEEN
INCREASINGLY EXPOSED TO AM HAD
CELLS, AND ACCIDENTALLY LEAKED
OUT OF THE LAB IS A THEORY THAT
I THINK IS VERY WORTHY OF
INVESTIGATION.
THERE'S SOMETHING ELSE:
TYPICALLY, WHEN A VIRUS JUMPS
FROM ANIMALS TO HUMANS, IT KIND
OF SPUTTERS ALONG.
IT TAKES A WHILE FOR IT TO SORT
OF GAIN STEAM.
AS WAS EXPLAINED TO ME, THIS
THING CAME OUT 90 MILES AN HOUR,
AND ALL OF A SUDDEN JUST STARTED
INFECTING WILDLY.
WHY?
WELL, IF IT HAD BEEN STUDIED IN
A LAB AND EXPOSED TO HUMAN CELLS
IT WAS BECOMING MORE AND MORE
EFFICIENT.
IT WAS BECOMING SMARTER AT THE
TIME THAT IT LEAKED.
IT WAS A HUGE PROBLEM.
>> Stephen: NOW, YOU'VE BEEN
INFORMING THE NATION, FOR THE
WORLD ABOUT FACT VERSUS FICTION
ABOUT COVID OVER THE PAST YEAR.
BUT NOW YOU HAVE A NEW PODCAST.
IT'S CALLED "CHASING LIFE."
WHAT IS THAT?
>> "CHASING LIFE" IS BASICALLY
ABOUT THE REEMERGENCE OF SOC
SOCIETY.
WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED THIS PAST
YEAR?
WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED ABOUT
OURSELVES?
WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED ABOUT HUMAN
CONNECTION?
ALSO I KEPT THINKING ABOUT THE
COUNTRY IN SOME WAYS, STEPHEN,
AS MY PATIENT THROUGHOUT THIS
PANDEMIC.
I REALLY DID.
I FELT A REAL SORT OF-- I FELT
AN EMPATHY.
I FELT-- I DON'T KNOW.
THERE WAS A CONNECTION I NEVER
FELT BEFORE.
AND THE PATIENT IS STILL
RECOVERING.
THEY'RE NOT TOTALLY HEALTHY.
THEY'RE STILL RECOVERING.
BUT PART OF THAT RECOVERY IS THE
PHYSICAL RECOVERY.
AND PART OF IT IS THE MENTAL
RECOVERY AS WELL.
>> Stephen: LAST QUESTION,
MOST IMPORTANT ONE: THERE'S THE
PHYSICAL AND THEN THERE'S THE
MENTAL RECOVERY.
AND THEN THERE'S THE ROMANTIC
RECOVERY.
WHEN YOU WERE HERE 15 MONTHS
AGO, I SCHEDULED YOU IF IT WAS
TIME TO STOP DATING.
AND YOU SAID YES.
( LAUGHTER )
DR. SANJAY GUPTA--
>> THAT WAS SCIENCE.
>> Stephen: I UNDERSTAND.
CAN WE DATE AGAIN?
ARE YOU ENDORSED HOT VAX SUMMER?
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE )
NO PRESSURE.
( LAUGHTER )
>> YES!
I AM.
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ).
>> Stephen: THAT'S SCIENCE!
>> THAT'S SCIENCE!
>> Stephen: THANKS FOR BEING
HERE.
HIS PODCAST IS CALLED "CHASING
LIFE."
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, EVERYBODY!
WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH RITA
MORENO.
♪ ♪ ♪
>> Stephen: HEY, EVERYBODY! WELCOME BACK.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN-- OH,
FOLKS.
MY NEXT GUEST IS AN ACTRESS,
EGOT WINNER, AND ALL-AROUND
ICON.
PLEASE WELCOME RITA MORENO!
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE )
♪ ♪ ♪
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
( APPLAUSE )
>> Stephen: THAT-- THAT IS HOW
YOU MAKE AN ENTRANCE, LADIES AND
GENTLEMEN.
THAT IS HOW YOU WIN AN EMMY,
GRAMMY, OSCAR, TONY, AND
PEABODY.
THE RARE PEGOT!
WHAT AN HONOR-- WHAT AN HONOR TO
MEET YOU.
>> FIRST OF ALL, WHAT A BAND
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE )
>> Stephen: EXTRAORDINARY,
EXTRAORDINARY.
>> AND WILL, YOU ARE ONE SEXY
WOMAN.
WOW.
( APPLAUSE ).
>> Stephen: YOU ARE
UNIVERSALLY ADORED, I BELIEVE,
RITA MORENO.
THERE IS NOBODY WHO DOESN'T LIKE
RITA MORENO.
BUT PERHAPS THE THING THAT
LAUNCHED YOU INTO PEOPLE'S
CONSCIOUSNESS AND PERHAPS MOST
BELOVED FOR IS YOUR PERFORMANCE
HERE.
( APPLAUSE )
IN "WEST SIDE STORY."
AS ANITA, AS ANITA.
WHAT DID YOU LOVE ABOUT PLAYING
THAT ROLE?
>> YOU KNOW WHAT WAS SPECIAL
ABOUT HER?
I COME FROM AN ERA WHERE THERE
WERE NO ROLE MODELS, NONE.
THERE WERE NO MENTORS.
AND IT TOOK ME FOREVER TO FIND
SOMEONE THAT I COULD MODEL
MYSELF ON.
AND IT TURNED OUT TO BE ANITA IN
"WEST SIDE STORY."
BECAUSE THIS WAS A LATINA WOMAN
WHO HAD DIGNITY.
SHE HAS A SENSE OF SELF-RESPECT.
AND I HAD NEVER, EVER PLAYED A
LATINA LIKE THAT.
IT WAS USUALLY JUST "WHY DO YOU
NO LOVE ME NO MORE, PETE?"
( LAUGHTER )
TRUE.
IT'S FUNNY NOW, WASN'T FUNNY
THEN.
I DID A LOT OF STUFF LIKE THAT
FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS.
AND THEN I FOUND THIS WONDERFUL
CHARACTER, ANITA.
AND OSCAR FOLLOWED.
YOU KNOW, PEOPLE FORGET, TOO,
THE GOLDEN GLOBE WHEN IT WAS
IMPORTANT.
( LAUGHTER )
>> Stephen: WHEN IT WAS.
IT HAD GONE FROM IN 19-- WHAT
WAS THAT, 1961, THE FILM
VERSION, AND NOW YOU'RE
EXECUTIVE PRODUCING STEPHEN
SPIELBERG'S UPCOMING REMAKE,
WHICH--
( APPLAUSE )
AND I CAN'T BELIEVE-- I CAN'T
BELIEVE LOOKING AT YOU, SEEING
YOU DANCE, I CANNOT BELIEVE I'M
ABOUT TO SAY THESE WORDS-- THE
FILM COMES OUT ONE DAY AFTER
YOUR 90th BIRTHDAY.
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ).
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
>> Stephen: PLEASE CENT ME A
BOTTLE OF YOUR LOTION, WHATEVER
IT IS YOU'RE USING.
>> DECEMBER 11 I WILL BE 90.
I'M 89 NOW.
AND THE FILM ACTUALLY OPENS ON
DECEMBER 10.
I AM BESIDE MYSELF.
I'M SO PROUD.
>> Stephen: WELL--
( APPLAUSE )
WHAT DOES THIS FULL CIRCLE MEAN
TO YOU?
LIKE-- SERIOUSLY, TO BE AN
OSCAR-WINNING PERFORMER IN THE
ORIGINAL, BUT NOW TO EXECUTIVE
PRODUCE.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU YOU TO
NOW BE IN ONE OF THE DRIVER'S
SEATS FOR THIS CULTURAL EVENT?
>> AT ( BLEEP ) LAST.
( LAUGHTER )
( APPLAUSE )
♪ ♪ ♪
-- KNOW-- I KNOW.
>> Stephen: ALL GOOD.
IT'S ALL GOOD.
>> I KNOW I WILL GET BEEPED,
BUT, YOU KNOW, I DON'T GIVE A
( BLEEP ).
( LAUGHTER )
( APPLAUSE )
>> Stephen: IF YOU WILL BE
PATIENT WITH ME FOR JUST ONE
MOMENT, WE HAVE TO DO A
COMMERCIAL.
BUT DON'T GO AWAY.
WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH MORE
RITA MORENO.
♪ ♪ ♪
( APPLAUSE ) >> THERE ARE WORDS THAT I HAVE
SAID, REMARKS I HAVE MADE THAT I
KNOW ARE OFFENSIVE, AND FOR
THAT, I WANT TO APOLOGIZE.
IT'S NOT EASY TO COME OUT HERE
AMONG-- AMONG THE PRESS.
OFTENTIMES YOU GUYS ARE PRETTY
ROUGH ON ME.
>> HEY, EVERYONE, MARJORIE'S
RIGHT.
I'M A PRESS CONFERENCE
MICROPHONE.
LET ME TELL YOU, NOTHING'S
ROUGHER THAN FACING THE PRESS,
EXCEPT FOR, OH, I DON'T KNOW,
THE HOLOCAUST!
>> Stephen: HEY, EVERYBODY, WE'RE HERE OF STAR OF STAGE AND SCREEN, RITA MORENO.
NEW DOCUMENTARY-- IT'S A NEW
DOCUMENTARY "RITA MORENO: A GIRL
WHO DECIDED TO GO FOR IT."
THE.
>> "JUST A GIRL WHO DECIDED TO
GO FOR IT" IS TRULY THE STORY OF
MY LIFE AND JUST PREMIERED AT
TRIBECA.
AND IT'S GOT-- BUT YOU KNOW
WHAT'S REALLY DELICIOUS ABOUT
THAT?
IT'S GOTTEN GREAT REVIEWS FROM
EVERYBODY.
BUT THE ONE THAT REALLY GIVES ME
A KICK IS ROTTEN TOMATOES
BECAUSE IT GAVE IT 100.
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ).
>> Stephen: NOW, THERE ARE
SOME INCREDIBLE STORIES-- DID
YOU EVER STRUGGLE WITH THE
WEIGHT OF BEING A PIONEER?
WAS THAT EVER DIFFICULT TO BE
SOMEONE WHO IS-- BECAME AN ICON
FOR NOT ONLY FOR THE GENERAL
PUBLIC BUT FOR YOUR OWN
COMMUNITY FOR HAVING BROKEN SO
MANY BARRIERS?
>> NO, I NEVER STRUGGLED WITH
THAT.
>> Stephen: OKAY, ALL RIGHT,
GOOD.
>> BUT, YOU KNOW, THAT TOOK A
WHILE.
YOU START YOUR LIFE OUT SAYING
YOU'RE GOING TO DO THAT.
IT DOESN'T WORK THAT WAY.
IT JUST HAPPENED THAT WAY, AND
IT MAKES ME EXTREMELY PROUD.
I'M SO HAPPY-- CAN WE TALK FOR A
SECOND ABOUT THE CRITICISM ABOUT
LLIN-MANUEL.
THAT UPSETS ME.
>> Stephen: FOR THE PEOPLE WHO
DON'T KNOW, LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA--
>> HE ALSO COPRODUCED MY
DOCUMENTARY, YEAH.
>> Stephen: THERE'S BEEN SOME
CRITICISM FOR THE LACK OF
AFRO-LATINO PEOPLE IN, "IN THE
HEIGHTS," THE MOVIE ADAPTATION
OF HIS PLAY.
WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THAT?
>> YOU CAN NEVER DO RIGHT, IT
SEEMS.
THIS IS THE MAN WHO LITERALLY
BROUGHT LATINONESS AND PUERTO
RICONESS TO AMERICA.
I COULDN'T DO IT.
I WOULD LOVE TO SAY I DID BUT I
COULDN'T.
LIN-MANUEL HAS DONE THAT REALLY
SINGLEHANDEDLY, AND I'M THRILLED
TO PIECES, AND I'M PROUD THAT HE
PRODUCED MY DOCUMENTARY.
>> Stephen: SO, ARE YOU SAYING
THAT WHILE YOU MAY UNDERSTAND
WHERE PEOPLE'S CONCERNS COME
FROM, THAT PERHAPS IT'S
MISPLACED IN CRITICIZING HIM IN
THIS?
>> WELL, I'M SIMPLY SAYING,
CAN'T YOU JUST WAIT A WHILE AND
LEAVE IT ALONE?
THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE
PUERTORRIQUENO, WHO ARE ALSO
FROM GUATEMALA, WHO ARE DARK AND
WHO ARE ALSO FAIR.
WE ARE ALL COLORS IN PUERTO
RICO.
AND THIS IS HOW IT IS.
AND I JUST-- IT WOULD BE SO NICE
IF THEY HADN'T COME UP WITH THAT
AND LEFT IT ALONE JUST FOR NOW.
THEY'RE REALLY-- THEY'RE REALLY
ATTACKING THE WRONG PERSON.
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ).
>> Stephen: I-- I WANT YOU TO
KNOW THAT I HAVE GOOSEBUMPS
BEING HERE WITH YOU.
I HAVE ADMIRED YOU SINCE I WAS A
LITTLE BOY.
MY MOTHER-- I REMEMBER--
>> NOBODY IS THAT OLD.
( LAUGHTER ).
>> Stephen: I REMEMBER MY
MOTHER WATCHING YOU ON TV AND
SAYING, "YOU SEE THAT?
THAT'S RITA MORENO.
SHE IS THE MOST TALENTED WOMAN
IN THE WORLD."
>> GET OUT.
>> Stephen: YES.
>> REALLY?
>> Stephen: YES.
AND I ALWAYS-- I THINK OF YOU
AND HER AND HER LOVE OF YOU AND
I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A FAN.
AND IT'S SUCH A WONDER AND
DELIGHT TO HAVE YOU HERE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> I HAD SUCH A GOOD TIME.
.THANK YOU.
>> Stephen: "JUST A GIRL WHO
DECIDED TO GO FOR IT" IS IN
THEATERS THIS FRIDAY.
RITA MORENO, EVERYONE!
WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.
♪ ♪ ♪
( APPLAUSE )
LATE SHOW." TUNE IN TOMORROW WHEN MY GUEST WILL BE ANDERSON COOPER.
JAMES CORDEN IS NEXT.
HE'S GOT GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM
OF CALIFORNIA!
GOOD NIGHT!
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE )
♪ ♪ ♪
Captioning sponsored by CBS Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH
access.wgbh.org