ALERT ABOUT SANTA. TURNS OUT, IT MIGHT BE HARD FOR
SANTA TO SHOW UP IN EVERY MALL THIS YEAR.
IT'S PART OF A MASSIVE NATIONWIDE LABOR SHORTAGE
LEAVING MALLS AND STORES SCRAMBLING FOR ST. NICKS, JUST
WHEN EVERYONE NEEDS THAT CHRISTMAS CHEER.
♪ ♪ ♪ >> THIS HOLIDAY SEASON ON THE
HALLMARK CHANNEL, THE VILLAGERS WERE ANGRY BECAUSE THERE WERE NO
MALL SANTAS. >> WE NEED A SANTA!
>> UNTIL ONE DESPERATE STORE MANAGER CAME UP WITH A CRAZY
IDEA. HE MADE ONE.
>> IT'S ALIVE! IT'S ALIVE!
>> THIS WINTER, IT'S
"FRANKENCLAUSE," THE HEARTWARMING TALE OF A MALL
SANTA ASSEMBLED FROM HUMAN REMAINS.
>> I CREATED IT. I MADE IT WITH MY OWN HANDS FROM
THE BODIES I TOOK FROM GRAVES FROM THE GALLOWS.
>> WATCH AS HE LEARNS FROM A RETIRED MALL SANTA, AND HAVE
YOUR HEART WARMED AS FRANKENCLAUSE CONNECTS WITH
CHILDREN. >> I WANT AN EASY BAKE OVEN!
>> IT'S THE YULETIDE HOLIDAY TREAT THAT YOU'D BE CRAZY TO
MISS. >> CRAZY, AM I?
WE'LL SEE WHETHER I'M CRAZY OR NOT.
>> "FRANKENCLAUSE," COMING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.
>> Announcer: IT'S "THE LATE
SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT." TONIGHT:
WHO DONE IT? AND A STAR-STUDDED MUSICAL
TRIBUTE TO "THE LORD OF THE RING."
PLUS, STEPHEN WELCOMES: DENZEL WASHINGTON
AND MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL
FEATURING JON BATISTE AND STAY HUMAN.
AND NOW, LIVE ON TAPE FROM THE
ED SULLIVAN THEATER IN NEW YORK CITY, IT'S STEPHEN COLBERT!
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ) >> Stephen: HEY!
♪ ♪ ♪ ( APPLAUSE )
YOU. WELCOME, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.
WELCOME TO "THE LATE SHOW." I AM YOUR HOST, STEPHEN COLBERT.
FOLKS-- ( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE )
ABOUT THE INSURRECTION ON JANUARY 6, THE MORE IT BECOMES
CLEAR THAT WE HAVE TWO POLITICAL PARTIES IN THIS COUNTRY.
YOU HAVE THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, AND THE ANTI -DEMOCRATIC PARTY,
BECAUSE ONLY ONE OF THESE PARTIES CARES WHETHER YOU GET
TO VOTE IN AN ELECTION. TAKE THE CASE OF FORMER CHIEF OF
STAFF AND CLINICALLY DEPRESSED POTATO, MARK MEADOWS.
MEADOWS AT FIRST AGREED TO COOPERATE WITH THE JANUARY 6
CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION, THEN QUICKLY UNAGREED.
SO LAST NIGHT, THE HOUSE VOTED TO HOLD MEADOWS IN CRIMINAL
CONTEMPT. ( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ).
YES, HELL, YES! CRIMINAL CONTEMPT.
AND THE REST OF US CAN JUST KEEP HOLDING HIM IN REGULAR CONTEMPT.
( LAUGHTER ) FOR IT: KINZINGER AND CHENEY.
EVERY OTHER REPUBLICAN, EVERY OTHER ONE, DOESN'T WANT YOU TO
KNOW WHAT HAPPENED ON JANUARY 6 ( AUDIENCE BOOING )
TAKE OHIO CONGRESSMAN AND MIME WHO WON'T SHUT UP, JIM JORDAN.
JORDAN WANTED TO LET HIS BUDDY MEADOWS OFF THE HOOK.
>> MARK MEADOWS IS OUR FORMER COLLEAGUE.
HE IS A GOOD MAN. AND HE'S MY FRIEND.
AND THIS IS-- THIS IS AS WRONG AS IT GETS.
>> Stephen: NO, "AS WRONG AS IT GETS" IS IGNORING SEXUAL
ABUSE IN THE SHOWERS AT OHIO STATE.
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ) NEVER FORGET.
IT'S NOT JUST JORDAN. THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS IS AN
ACCESSORY TO THIS COUP, AND WE RECENTLY GOT MORE EVIDENCE OF
THAT IN THE FORM OF TEXT MESSAGES TO MARK MEADOWS, LIKE
THIS ONE HE RECEIVED ON JANUARY 7 FROM A REPUBLICAN LAWMAKER:
"YESTERDAY WAS A TERRIBLE DAY..."
WELL, I MEAN, AT LEAST WE CAN ALL AGREE ON THAT.
"WE TRIED EVERYTHING WE COULD IN OUR OBJECTION TO THE SIX STATES.
I'M SORRY NOTHING WORKED." OH!
SO HE REGRETS NOT BEING ABLE TO DROWN LADY LIBERTY IN A BATHTUB.
IT'S LIKE SENDING A SYMPATHY CARD THAT SAYS, "MY DEEPEST
CONDOLENCES... THAT YOU LIVED.
I WAS ROOTING FOR THE TUMOR!" NOW-- YES, IT'S NOT A GOOD CARD
TO HAVE SENT. THE COMMITTEE RELEASED A
DISTURBING TEXT FROM ANOTHER REPUBLICAN LAWMAKER, SENT TO
MEADOWS THE DAY AFTER THE ELECTION:
"HERE'S AN AGGRESSIVE STRATEGY: WHY CAN'T THE STATES OF GEORGIA,
NORTH CAROLINA, PENNSYLVANIA, AND OTHER REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED
STATE HOUSES DECLARE THIS IS B.S.-- WHERE CONFLICTS AND
ELECTION NOT CALLED THAT NIGHT-- AND JUST SEND THEIR OWN ELECTORS
TO VOTE AND HAVE IT GO TO THE SCOTUS?"
"AN AGGRESSIVE STRATEGY," IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT.
THAT'S LIKE AN ARSONIST SAYING, "YOUR HONOR, I DON'T
THINK OF IT AS BURNING THE HOUSE DOWN.
I THINK OF IT AS AN AGGRESSIVE MARIE KONDO-ING: "THE HOUSE
DID NOT SPARK JOY, SO I SPARKED A BOX OF OILY RAGS."
( LAUGHTER ) WELL, THE IDENTITY OF THESE
LAWMAKERS WAS NOT BEING DISCLOSED.
SO PEOPLE ON TWITTER ARE NOW GUESSING NAMES LIKE
PAUL GOSAR, JIM JORDAN, DEVIN NUNES, MATT GAETZ, TED CRUZ, AND
JOSH HAWLEY. AND YOU CAN PLAY THE HOME
VERSION IN THE FUN NEW GAME "CLUE-LESS."
( LAUGHTER ) THESE MESSAGES-- GOT A LITTLE--
GOT A LITTLE-- THERE YOU GO. THESE MESSAGES HAVE THE RING OF
UNFILTERED TRUTH BECAUSE THEY'RE TAKEN FROM MARK MEADOWS' TWO
PERSONAL PHONES. AND NOTHING SAYS "INNOCENT" LIKE
A SECOND CELL PHONE. ( LAUGHTER )
WHAT'S THAT, HONEY? YOU FOUND MY SECOND PHONE IN THE
CLOSET? OH, THAT'S JUST MY BACKUP.
'I LOVE YOU' PHONE IN CASE I CAN'T FIND THE FIRST ONE TO TELL
YOU HOW MUCH I WAS NOT SLEEPING WITH THE BABYSITTER LAST NIGHT.
HELLO! I LOVE MY WIFE... WHO'S RIGHT
HERE IN THE ROOM WITH ME RIGHT NOW.
GOOD-BYE, WRONG NUMBER!" THIS WHOLE ATTEMPTED COUP WAS
BASED ON THE FORMER PRESIDENT'S ENDLESS LIES ABOUT NON-EXISTENT
MASSIVE VOTER FRAUD. AND NOW THE ASSOCIATED PRESS HAS
SHOWN JUST HOW BIG A LIAR IT IS. THEY CONDUCTED A REVIEW OF EVERY
POTENTIAL CASE OF VOTER FRAUD IN THE SIX BATTLEGROUND STATES HE
DISPUTED AND FOUND FEWER THAN 475, A NUMBER THAT WOULD HAVE
MADE NO DIFFERENCE IN THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
WOW, THAT'S GOING TO MAKE RUDY GIULIANI YELLING ABOUT FRAUD
NEXT TO A DILDO SHOP SEEM RIDICULOUS.
( LAUGHTER ) THAT'S-- THAT'S-- THAT'S SAD.
IT'S SAD. >> Jon: SAD, SAD, SAD.
>> Stephen: CRAZY. IT'S CRAZY!
>> Jon: IT'S CRAZY! >> Stephen: THE FEW CASES THAT
THE A.P. DID FIND COULD NOT THROW THE OUTCOME INTO QUESTION
EVEN IF ALL THE POTENTIALLY FRAUDULENT VOTES WERE FOR
BIDEN-- WHICH THEY WERE NOT-- AND EVEN IF THOSE BALLOTS WERE
ACTUALLY COUNTED-- WHICH, IN MOST CASES, THEY WERE NOT.
OKAY, BUT ARE WE REALLY SUPPOSED TO BELIEVE A BUNCH OF REPORTERS
ON SOMETHING AS IMPORTANT AS AN ELECTION?
NONE OF THEM HAVE EVER INVENTED A PILLOW!
( LAUGHTER ) WAS NO FRAUD AT ALL.
IN FACT, THREE REPUBLICAN
RESIDENTS OF THE VILLAGES RETIREMENT COMMUNITY IN FLORIDA
WERE ARRESTED FOR CASTING MULTIPLE VOTES IN 2020.
( APPLAUSE ) I GOTCHA!
LET'S SEE THE ELECTION FRAUDSTERS THE G.O.P. HAS
BEEN HUNTING FOR: MY GOD-- IT'S THE CRIMINAL
MASTERMINDS KNOWN AS "THE MAH JONGG MAFIA!"
( LAUGHTER ) "THE VILLAGES," IT'S THE LARGEST
RETIREMENT COMMUNITY IN THE WORLD.
IMAGINE IF CENTRAL FLORIDA MADE LOVE TO A GOLF CART ON A
PICKLEBALL COURT AND HAD 100,000 VERY OLD BABIES.
( LAUGHTER ) GOING RIGHT FROM BOCCE BREAKFAST
TO THE EARLY JAILBIRD SPECIAL, BECAUSE THEY VOTED IN FLORIDA
WHILE ALSO CASTING BALLOTS IN THEIR ORIGINAL HOME STATES,
WHICH IS A THIRD-DEGREE FELONY PUNISHABLE BY UP TO FIVE YEARS
IN PRISON. YEAH.
( APPLAUSE ) THEY'LL HAVE TO LIVE A LIFE OF
INSTITUTIONAL MEALS AND LIGHTS OUT AT 8:00 SHARP...
SO, PRETTY MUCH THE SAME. ( LAUGHTER )
COVID NEWS, THERE IS STILL, UNFORTUNATELY, NO VACCINE FOR
"STUPID." AND WE SAW THAT FIRSTHAND
YESTERDAY IN QUEENS, WHEN, REPORTEDLY, A GROUP OF
ANTIVAXXERS STAGED A "SIT -IN" AT A CHEESECAKE FACTORY.
IRONIC, BECAUSE THE HEALTHIEST THING YOU CAN GET AT A
CHEESECAKE FACTORY IS COVID. ( LAUGHTER )
AFTER THE-- OH, WHAT DO THEY HAVE?
THE... CHEESEBURGER SPRING ROLLS.
AFTER THE MASKLESS CRUSADERS SHOWED UP TO THE RESTAURANT,
THEY REFUSED TO CHECK IN AT THE HOST STAND, SKIPPED WAITING
CUSTOMERS, AND SAT THEMSELVES ACROSS MULTIPLE TABLES.
EVENTUALLY, THE POLICE WERE CALLED, AND AFTER REFUSING TO
LEAVE, FOUR PEOPLE ENDED UP BEING ARRESTED.
YEAH! ( APPLAUSE )
THROW THE BOOK AT THEM! OR THE MENU FOR THE CHEESECAKE
FACTORY! IT'S THICKER.
BUT THERE IS SOME GOOD NEWS IN THE WORLD OF COVID...
OR AT LEAST SOME ADORABLE NEWS. BECAUSE RESEARCHERS ARE TRAINING
DOGS TO SNIFF OUT COVID FROM OLD SOCKS.
IT'S A SMART IDEA. MUCH BETTER THAN TRAINING
CATS CAN DETECT IF YOU HAVE COVID, BUT THEY WON'T TELL YOU,
BECAUSE THEY WANT YOU DEAD. ( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ).
WE'VE GOT A GREAT SHOW FOR YOU TONIGHT.
SO MANY GREAT THINGS. SO MANY GREAT GUESTS.
WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT IN A SECOND.
NOW, NORMALLY RIGHT NOW AT THE END OF THE MONOLOGUE, WE WOULD
GO TO A COMMERCIAL BREAK. BUT I'VE GOT A PERSONAL
QUESTION, AND I NEED AN HONEST ANSWER FROM YOU ALL.
WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE COMMERCIALS OR MORE SHOW?
>> Audience: MORE SHOW!
>> Stephen: EVEN IF THE MORE SHOW IS BASICALLY ALSO A
COMMERCIAL? >> Audience:
EVEN IF! >> Stephen: OKAY. YOU'RE THE
BOSS. SAY HI TO JON BATISTE AND STAY
HUMAN WHILE I CROSS OVER HERE. ( APPLAUSE ).
YES, INDEED! WE LOVE IT!
>> Stephen: JON, JON, WHAT DO I GOT HERE?
JON. >> Jon: YES.
>> Stephen: I-- I AM TALKING THIS EVENING-- I AM TALKING THIS
EVENING TO TWO TOWERING INDIVIDUALS.
>> Jon: OH, YEAH. >> Stephen: YOU A FAN OF
DENZEL WASHINGTON. >> Stephen: OH, MY GOODNESS.
LEGEND. LEGEND.
>> Stephen: ONE OF THE GREATEST ACTORS ALIVE.
AND WE HAVE MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL HERE TONIGHT.
NJTSZ GOT A GOOD VIBE IN HERE TONIGHT.
>> Stephen: I'VE SEEN HER NEW MOVIE "THE LOST DAUGHTER."
UNBELIEVABLE. IT ALMOST MAKES ME ANGRY THIS IS
HER FIRST MOVIE TO ACT AND DIRECT.
IT'S EXTRAORDINARY. THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING SHE'S
NOT GOOD AT. WE HAVE TO FIND OUT.
FOLKS, TONIGHT'S "MORE SHOW" IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY GOOGLE'S "YEAR
IN SEARCH,"THEIR ANNUAL SHORT FILM, THAT I'M ABOUT TO SHOW
YO, AND WHICH EXPLORES THE PAST YEAR'S BIGGEST GOOGLE SEARCH
TRENDS. GOOGLE EVEN SENT OVER SOME OF
THE TRENDING SEARCHES ABOUT YOURS TRULY.
IN 2021, SOME OF THE MOST FREQUENT SEARCHES ABOUT ME
WERE-- AND THEY TELL ME THIS IS TRUE-- "HOW OLD IS STEPHEN
COLBERT?" I'M 57.
"HOW TALL IS STEPHEN COLBERT?" I'M 5'11."
AND "HOW SEND PHOTOS TO STEPHEN COLBERT SHOW."
OH, IT EASY. SEND PHOTOS TO SHOW.
OR PAINT PICTURE ON CAVE WALL. ( LAUGHTER )
EMERGED IN THE GOOGLE-SCAPE: PEOPLE WANT TO HEAL.ú
SOME OF THE TRENDING SEARCHES FROM 2021 INCLUDED:
"WHEN CAN I GET THE VACCINE," "HOW TO STAY STRONG."
AND "WHAT IS MY PURPOSE." THIS YEAR, I HAVE OFTEN WONDERED
THE SAME THING, SO I GOOGLED "WHAT IS MY PURPOSE" BEFORE THE
SHOW, AND THE ANSWER WAS, "TO BANK SOME COIN FOR CBS BY DOING
PRODUCT PLACEMENT." ( LAUGHTER )
2021'S GOOGLE "YEAR IN SEARCH" IS "HEALING."
WE HAVE A LOT TO HEAL FROM: THE PANDEMIC, JOB STRESS, SHORTAGES,
JURGEN GETTING KICKED OFF "THE GREAT BRITISH BAKING SHOW" RIGHT
BEFORE THE FINALE-- I SAW IT COMING, BUT I STILL WASN'T
READY! 2021 WAS SO ROUGH, IT MADE 2020
LOOK LIKE 2019. ( LAUGHTER )
FOR ANSWERS. HERE'S A LOOK AT HOW WE SEARCHED
THIS YEAR. ♪ ♪ ♪
>> THIS YEAR HAS BEEN EXTREMELY
CHALLENGING FOR ME. I AM BROKEN.
AND I AM HEALING.
>> I AM HERE AT THE MEMORIAL WALL.
I WANTED TO DO SOMETHING TO REMEMBER MY MOM.
>> FOR SOME REASON, I'M HAVING ANXIETY.
OBVIOUSLY, THAT'S NORMAL WITH EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING ON RIGHT
NOW. >> I THINK I'M GOING TO TAKE A
BREAK FOR A WHILE. >> YOU CAN GET THROUGH IT, AND
IF YOU CAN GET THROUGH IT, THERE'S A GREATER REWARD ON THE
OTHER SIDE. >> JUST LIKE ANYBODY ELSE, I'M
JUST TRYING TO DO MY LITTLE PART TO TRY AND SAVE MY COMMUNITY.
>> I'M JUST REALLY EXCITED WE'RE BACK OPEN.
>> AND I AM SMILING UNDER MY MASK!
>> THE DAY THE FANS CAME BACK. >> WELCOME BACK TO THEATER!
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ). >> YOU'RE LOOKING AT YOURSELF IN
THE MIRROR, AND YOU'RE JUST LIKE, "THERE I AM."
>> BE YOUR BEST! NEVER, EVER, EVER STOP DREAMING!
I DON'T CARE WHAT THEY TELL YOU. >> WE, THE JURY IN THE ABOVE
ENTITLED MATTER AS TO COUNT THREE FIND THE DEFENDANT GUILTY.
>> I AM PROUD TO BE ASIAN! >> WE ARE NOT DROWNING.
WE ARE FIGHTING. >> WE CANNOT KEEP QUIET ABOUT
CLIMATE INJUSTICE. NO ACTION IS TOO SMALL.
>> WE JUST HAVE TO BAND TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY AND GET PEOPLE'S
LIVES BACK.
>> EVEN AS WE GRIEVED, WE GREW. EVEN AS WE HURT, WE HOPED.
EVEN AS WE TIRED, WE TRY THAT WE'LL FOREVER BE TIED TOGETHER,
VICTORIOUS. ♪ ♪ ♪
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ) AND THAT, THAT RIGHT THERE...
( APPLAUSE ) FOLKS, NOT ONLY HAS IT BEEN A
HECK OF A YEAR. IT'S ALSO BEEN A HECK OF A
DECADE, A HECK OF A CENTURY, FOR THAT MATTER, A HECK OF A
MILLENNIUM. SO WE HERE AT "THE LATE SHOW"
ARE ABOUT TO TAKE A MUCH -NEEDED HOLIDAY BREAK.
BUT THE ONLY THING I REGRET ABOUT THAT IS IT MEANS I WON'T
BE ON THE AIR NEXT WEEK TO CELEBRATE THE 20th ANNIVERSARY
OF "THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING," WHICH
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ) 20th ANNIVERSARY OF ME NOT
SHUTTING UP ABOUT "THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE
RING." IT WAS 20 YEARS AGO THIS SUNDAY
THAT THIS MOVIE KICKED OFF MY FAVORITE FILM SERIES OF ALL
TIME. AND WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS:
WHERE THE HELL ARE THE CELEBRATIONS?
HOW IS IT POSSIBLE THAT WE ARE NOT MARKING IT AS A PEOPLE?
"HARRY POTTER" IS GETTING A GIANT 20th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL
WITH A FULL CAST REUNION. SERIOUSLY?
"HARRY POTTER" IS FINE, BUT IT'S NO "LORD OF THE RINGS."
I MEAN, DUMBLEDORE COULDN'T TAKE A BALROG.
HE WAS KILLED BY A HIGH SCHOOL CHEMISTRY TEACHER!
( LAUGHTER ) TOWERING ACHIEVEMENT DESERVES
THE SAME KIND OF TREATMENT. BECAUSE, IF YOU ASK ME, THERE IS
NO BETTER FILM SERIES. "LORD OF THE RINGS" IS WITHOUT A
DOUBT THE GREATEST TRILOGY IN MOVIE HISTORY.
AND I KNOW-- ( APPLAUSE )
TIMES BEFORE. BUT I HAVE NEVER-- NOT ONCE --
RAPPED IT. UNTIL NOW.
JIMMY, JAM ME!
>> Stephen: LORD OF THE RINGS IS THE NUMBER ONE TRILOGY.
>> Jon: OF ALL TIME SUCKAS. >> Stephen AND Jon: IT'S THE
♪ NUMBER ONE TRILOGY, THE NUMBER ONE TRILLY
♪ TRY TO DENY AND YOU JUST SOUND SILLY
♪ WORLDWIDE GROSS OF ALMOST 3 BILLY
♪ 16 TIMES WHAT THEY MADE ON
♪ FREE WILLY >> Stephen: ( BLEEP )YOU WHALES!
♪ BEST TRIPLE FEATURE? HELL YEAH, WE WOULD WIN IT.
♪ WE GOT THE ONLY TRILOGY WITH EVERYTHING IN IT
>> Jon: DON'T BELIEVE ME? ♪ YOU CAN CHECK FOR YOURSELF
THE GODFATHER DOESN'T EVEN HAVE ♪ ONE ELF
>> Stephen: C.G.I.? OH MY GUY ♪ YEAH WE HAVE THAT ( BLEEP )
ANDY SERKIS DOIN WORKIS ♪ MOTION CAPTURIN' IT
>> Jon: STAR WARS IS BETTER? ♪ HA, YOU MAKE ME SICK
>> Stephen: JAR JAR CAN GO AHEAD ♪ AND SUCK MY...
RING >> (ALL) LORD OF THE RINGS IS
♪ THE NUMBER ONE TRILLY >> ASK DOM MONAGHAN
>> OR YOU CAN ASK BILLY >> SEAN ASTIN'S HERE TOO?
♪ WOW THAT'S ACTUALLY SILLY >> WILL ELIJAH WOOD JOIN US
>> I DON'T KNOW WILL HE? >> ELF,
♪ DWARF, WIZARD,
♪ HUMAN, HOBBITS AT THE SHIRE
♪ BRING THE RING TO MOUNT DOOM AND I THROW IT IN THE FIRE
>> SUCH A GOOD TRILL ♪ THAT I WISH THEY MADE
FOUR THOUGH >> THESE FILMSA BETTER THREESOME
♪ THAN YOUR FAVORITE PORNO >> Stephen: A STRIDER,
♪ SOME RIDERS, GOLLUM,
♪ A SPIDER WE GOT A GREY WIZARD
♪ AND WE GOT ONE THAT'S WHITER >> BEST TRILL EVER BABY DON'T
♪ YOU FORGET >> THAT'S RIGHT ANNA KENDRICK
♪ PITCH PERFECT AIN'T ( BLEEP ) >> WHAT THE HELL?
♪ I THOUGHT WE WERE FRIENDS? DAMN.
>> THAT'S SCARY, HE'S HAIRY, OH ♪ EAGLES IN THE AIRY
>> REMEMBER WHEN THE FOUR OF US ♪ RODE BUCKLEBURY FERRY
>> PLUS WE GOT DEDICATION ♪ YEAH, VIGGO KNOWS
>> DUDE LOST A TOOTH ♪ AND HE BROKE TWO TOES
>> Jon: NUMBER ONE TRILLY, ♪ HEAD OF THE CLASS
>> Stephen: YOU THINK ANY ♪ DIFFERENT YOU CAN KISS MY ASS
>> Jon: I AIN'T TAKIN NO ♪ QUESTIONS
SO YOU BEST NOT ASK >> Stephen: TEST ME
♪ MOTHER( BLEEP ) AND YOU SHALL NOT PASS
>> TELL EM METHOD MAN >> LORDY LORDY WE WON SOME
♪ AWARDS. BE CUTTIN DOWN PRETENDERS
♪ LIKE ARAGORN'S SWORD, G. SEVENTEEN OSCARS THAT'S
♪ KING ( BLEEP ) FOREVER THAT'S MORE THAN THESE THREE
♪ MOTHER ( BLEEP ) PUT TOGETHER EFFECTS?
♪ IMPECCABLE COSTUMES?
♪ UNASSAILABLE I'M ONLY ON THIS SONG
♪ CUZ' IAN MCKELLAN'S UNAVAILABLE
>> SHOW 'EM MIKE >> BACK TO FUTURE
♪ OH YOU GOT A DELOREAN WE GOT SEXY ELVES
♪ ALL OVER LOTHLORIEN AN ARCHAEOLOGIST?
♪ SORRY, I'M SNORING IT'S INDIANA JONES AND THE
♪ TEMPLE OF BORING! BILLIONAIRE FIGHTS CRIME?
♪ I DON'T UNDERSTAND-A THE DARK KNIGHT'S
♪ CAPITALISTIC PROPAGANDA AND HOCKEY AIN'T ( BLEEP )
♪ ( BLEEP ) THE MIGHTY DUCKS AND I KNOW IT'S FIVE MOVIES BUT
♪ TWILIGHT SUCKS ( BLEEP ) ANNA KENDRICK
>> ME? I'M BARELY IN THOSE MOVIES!
>> THE WOMEN ARE GORGEOUS, ♪ THE FELLAS ARE CUTE
>> LET MY MAN RAP IN ELVISH ♪ WHILE SERKIS PLAYS THE FLUTE
>> (ALL):LORD OF THE RINGS
♪ IS THE NUMBER ONE TRILLY MOVIE'S SO SICK
♪ I GOTTA TAKE AN ADVILLY WHEN I'M SNIFFIN DAFFODILLIES,
♪ SIPPING CHAMOMILLIES LORD OF THE RINGS IS THE NUMBER
♪ ONE TRILLY >> BUT, I WILL ADMIT THE NAKED
GUN MOVIES ARE PRETTY GREAT. >> (ALL): LORD OF THE RINGS
♪ IS THE NUMBER ONE TRILLY ASK ANYBODY AND
♪ THEY KNOW THE DILLY FROM JACKSONVILLE-Y
♪ TO MANILA PHILLY ASK ALL THE FISHES,
♪ THE SEAWEED, THE KRILL-Y LORD OF THE RINGS
♪ IS THE NUMBER ONE TRILLY LORD OF THE RINGS
♪ IS THE NUMBER ONE TRILLY TRILLY,
♪ TRILLY, TRILLY,
♪ TRILLY ♪ ♪ ♪
♪ ( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE )
THE OFFICIAL EXCLUSIVE "LORD OF THE RINGS" 20th ANNIVERSARY
CELEBRATION: THE ONE CELEBRATION TO RULE THEM ALL!
THANK YOU TO ELIJAH WOOD, SEAN ASTIN, BILLY BOYD, DOMINIC
MONAGHAN, HUGO WEAVING, ANDY SERKIS, ORLANDO BLOOM,
VIGGO MORTENSEN, METHOD MAN, KILLER MIKE, AND ANNA KENDRICK!
THANK YOU TO SIR PETER JACKSON AND A HAPPY 20th ANNIVERSARY TO
ALL WHO MADE THIS MOVIE AND ALL WHO CELEBRATE IT!
( APPLAUSE ) WELCOME BACK TO "THE LATE SHOW,"
EVERYBODY. FOLKS, MY FIRST GUEST IS A TWO
TIME ACADEMY AWARD WINNER, A TONY WINNER, AND AN ALL AROUND
LEGEND. PLEASE WELCOME BACK TO "THE LATE
SHOW," THE ONE, THE ONLY, DENZEL WASHINGTON.
♪ ♪ ♪ ( APPLAUSE )
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ) >> MERRY CHRISTMAS!
( APPLAUSE ) LOVELY, LOVELY TO HAVE YOU BACK.
NOT JUST ON THE SHOW, BUT ON A PROPER BROADWAY STAGE HERE.
>> YES. >> Stephen: YOU'RE NO STRANGER
TO TROTTING THE BOARDS. >> THANK YOU.
>> Stephen: AND-- AND STARTED THAT RIGHT HERE--
>> "TROTTING THE BOARDS." >> Stephen: TROTTING THE
BOARDS. , YOU KNOW,, YOU KNOW, THE
BOARDS, THE THEATER BOARDS. AND STARTED DOING SO WHEN YOU
WERE AT COLLEGE IN FORDHAM. >> UH-OH.
>> Stephen: THERE YOU GO. THERE'S YOUR FIRST PRODUCTION IN
COLLEGE. >> EUGENE O'NEILL'S "THE EMPEROR
JONES." >> Stephen: THERE YOU ARE.
FRESHMAN. >> NO, I WAS A JUNIOR, JUNIOR.
I THOUGHT I WAS SUPPOSED TO ACT MEAN AND BE SERIOUS.
>> Stephen: DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING-- DO YOU HAVE ANY
ADVICE FOR THIS-- WHAT 20-YEAR-OLD, 21-YEAR-OLD,
SOMETHING LIKE THAT? DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR THIS
KID RIGHT HERE? BECAUSE HE SEEMS PRETTY
CONFIDENT ALREADY. >> THANK YOU.
IGNORANCE IS BLISS. I DIDN'T-- THAT WAS THE FIRST
LEADING ROLE I EVER PLAYED. AND I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT I WAS
SUPPOSED TO DO. I'D GO OUT AND PEEK AND LOOK AT
THE AUDIENCE AND, YOU KNOW, COUNT, SEE IF MY MOM WAS OUT
THERE OR SOMETHING. >> Stephen: HOW OFTEN WAS YOUR
MOM OUT THERE? >> EVERY TIME, EVERY NIGHT.
>> Stephen: THAT'S WHAT MOMS DO.
THAT'S WHAT MOMS DO. THAT'S NICE.
>> THAT'S WHAT MOMS DO. ( APPLAUSE )
NEW FILM ADAPTATION OF-- WELL, WE'LL CALL IT THE SCOTTISH PLAY.
>> RIGHT "MACBETH." >> Stephen: EXACTLY, YOU CAN
SAY IT. DIRECTED BY JOEL COEN,
COSTARRING FRANCES McDORMAND, EXTRAORDINARY.
FIRST OF ALL, THERE IS, FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW, THERE IS
A TRADITION, A SUPERSTITION, NOT TO SAY THE NAME OF THAT PLAY--
IF YOU WANT TO SAY IT. >> YOU MEAN "MACBETH?"
>> Stephen: YES, NOT TO SAY THE NAME OF THAT PLAY IN A
THEATER BECAUSE IT'S BAD LUCK. DID YOU-- WERE YOU TAUGHT THAT?
>> I'M A GODFEARING MAN. I DON'T-- THAT'S SUPERSTITION.
I DON'T BELIEVE IN GHOST S. >> Stephen: MACBETH, MACBETH,
MACBETH. >> MACBETH.
>> Stephen: OKAY, SO YOU'VE PLAYED--
>> WHO STARTED THAT? >> Stephen: I DON'T-- PROBABLY
SOMEONE WHO DIDN'T DO WELL IN "MACBETH."
>> PROBABLY. >> Stephen: BLAMED IT ON A
SUPERSTITION. YOU'VE DONE A FAIR AMOUNT OF
SHAKESPEARE AT THIS POINT. YOU'VE BEEN IN "OTELLO," RICHARD
II" "JULIUS CAESAR." "MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING."
>> WITH KEANU. >> Stephen: WHAT WAS YOUR
FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH SHAKESPEARE?
FIRST TIME HAVING TO READ IT OR PERFORM IT?
>> "OTELLO." AFTER I DID "THE EMPEROR JONES"
I PLAYED "OTELLO" AT FORDHAM UNIVERSITY WHEN HE WAS YOUNGER
THAN EVERYONE ELSE IN THE CAST. >> Stephen: SOME PEOPLE WHEN
THEY FIRST COME TO SHAKESPEARE HAVE TROUBLE CRACKING IT, LIKE
CRACKING THE MEANING OPEN. LIKE EVERY SONNET IS IN THIS
LITTLE BOX YOU HAVE TO OPEN AND COMPLETELY SO YOU CAN UNDERSTAND
IT. WHAT'S YOUR PROCESS LIKE TO WORK
ON SHAKESPEAREAN MONOLOGUES? >> I WAS AT THE-- I WENT TO
FORDHAM UNIVERSITY IN THE BRONX FOR TWO YEARS, AND THEN LINCOLN
CENTER FOR TWO YEARS. ( APPLAUSE ).
AT THE LINCOLN CENTER LIBRARY THEY HAD RECORDS OF THE PLAYS.
SO THEY HAD OLIVIER'S "OTELLO." I PUT THE HEADPHONES ON... OH,
MY LORD. I'D SIT THERE AND GO "OH, MY
LORD." IGNORANCE IS BLISS, I DIDN'T
KNOW. I THOUGHT I'LL SING IT LIKE THIS
AND MAKE IT HAPPEN. PEOPLE SEEMED TO LIKE IT.
>> Stephen: DID YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FROM WELL-KNOWN
SHAKESPEAREAN PERFORMERS LIKE THIS IS HOW YOU DO IT.
DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE SINGING? HAS ANYBODY GIVEN YOU ADVICE?
>> I'M SURE-- YES, YES. >> Stephen: THAT'S ALL I
WANTED TO KNOW. I WOULD-- THAT'S ALL I WANT TO
KNOW IS THAT SOMEONE GAVE YOU ADVICE.
>> I HOPE THEY DID. ( LAUGHTER ).
GIVE ME SOME ADVICE? >> I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO GIVE
ME SOME ADVICE. >> Stephen: ABOUT SHAKESPEARE?
>> YES. >> Stephen: I DON'T-- I
NEVER-- I NEVER PERFORMED SAKESPEARE EXCEPT IN ACTING
CLASS. >> NOW IS THE TIME.
NOW IS THE TIME. >> SPEAKING TRIPPINGLY ON THE
TONGUE. >> BUT IF YOU MOUTH IT...
>> Stephen: MOUTH IT. >> AS MANY OF YOUR PLAYERS DO.
BUT USE ALL WISELY FOR IN THE VERY TORRENT TEMPEST AS I MAY
SAY WHIRLWIND OF YOUR FASHION. ( APPLAUSE )
>> DON'T KNOW WHERE I FOUND THAT ONE.
BUT I FOUND IT. >> Stephen: I DO KNOW TOMORROW
AND TOMORROW AND TOMORROW, CREEPS AT ITS PETTY PACE TODAY,
TODAY, FROM ITS LAST SORROW OF OUR TIME, THE WAY TO DUSTED
DEATH. OUT, OUT, BRIEF CANDLE.
LIFE IS BUT A... ( LAUGHTER )
WHO STRUTS AND FRETS HOUR UPON THE STAGE AND HEARD NO MORE.
>> IT IS A... >> Stephen: TALE TOLD BY AN
IDIOT, FULL OF SOUND AND FURY, SIGNIFYING--
>> NOTHING! LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!
>> Stephen: BUT LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT.
LET'S TALK ABOUT "MACBETH" FOR A SECOND.
>> THAT WAS GREAT, MAN. >> Stephen: WHAT DO YOU THINK
IS GOING ON WITH MACBETH. THAT IS THE MOST-- THAT IS THE
BEST ENCAPSULATION OF A FEELING OF DEPRESSION THAT ANYONE HAS
EVER WRITTEN, THAT ONE LITTLE SPEECH I JUST DID.
>> HE WANTS IT. HE'S DUE.
HE OVERDUE. >> Stephen: HE WANTS TO BE
KING. >> HE'S SUPPOSED TO BE KING.
IT'S GOOD TO BE KING. >> Stephen: WHAT ABOUT HIM AND
LADY MACBETH? IS THAT A GOOD RELATIONSHIP?
( LAUGHTER ) LIKE, AS AN ACTOR, DO YOU LIKE
TO INVESTIGATE, BECAUSE SHE'S CERTAINLY KNOWN FOR PUSHING HIM,
YOU KNOW. SHE'S PUSH WILL HIM.
"GO BE KING! GO BE KING!"
DO THEY HAVE A LOVING RELATIONSHIP?
DO YOU AND FRANCES TALK ABOUT THAT?
>> YES, WE CHANGED A LINE THAT TALKED ABOUT HER ABILITY TO HAVE
CHILDREN. SHE COULD NOT HAVE AN HEIR.
SHE COULD NOT HAVE A CHILD. AND THAT WAS A FRISTRAWGZ OF
HERS. AND, YOU KNOW, LIKE I SAID, WE
ARE UP IN YEARS, AND WE FELT LIKE IT WAS OUR TURN.
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, HE DIVED INTO THE DARK SIDE.
HE LISTENED TO THE DEVIL. HE LISTENED TO THE WITCHES.
HE LISTENED TO THOSE PEOPLE. AND THEY TOOK HIM DOWN.
>> Stephen: WE HAVE TO TAKE A QUICK BREAK, BUT DON'T GO
ANYWHERE. WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH MORE
MR. DENZEL WASHINGTON, EVERYBODY.
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ). ♪ ♪ ♪
WE'RE BACK HERE WITH THE STAR OF "THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH," DENZEL
WASHINGTON. I AM SORRY TO HEAR THAT YOU LOST
YOUR MOTHER THIS YEAR. AT THE AGE OF 97.
>> 97. >> Stephen: IT'S A GREAT
BLESSING TO HAVE YOUR MOTHER SO LONG.
>> SHE DIDN'T GET CHEATED, NOR DID MY BROTHER AND MY SISTER AND
I. >> Stephen: YOU SAID THAT A
MOTHER IS A SO SON'S FIRST LOVE. AND I'M CURIOUS, HOW DO YOU
HONOR THAT LOVE AND HER LOVE FOR YOU AND HER MEMORY WITH YOUR
WORK? >> A MOTHER IS A SON'S FIRST
TRUE LOVE. A SON, ESPECIALLY THAT FIRST
SON, IS A MOTHER'S LAST TRUE LOVE.
THAT'S-- I'M GETTING CHOCKED UP. SORRY.
( APPLAUSE ) BUT...
TOMORROW AND TOMORROW AND TOMORROW.
MY WIFE-- YOU KNOW WHEN I KNEW THAT?
WHEN I SAW MY SON JOHN DAVID WASHINGTON HANDLE MY WIFE.
I DON'T CARE WHAT HE DOES, SHE'S GOING, "ALL RIGHT, BABY."
( LAUGHTER ) "WELL, MA, I THINK I GOT--"
"JUST GIVE ME THE CLOTHING AND BRING ME ALL THE STUFF."
THAT'S WHEN I REALIZED, REALLY, REALLY THAT BOND.
AND, YOU KNOW, SHE WAS THERE FOR EVERYTHING.
AND SHE WENT HOME. GOT A TISSUE?
>> Stephen: I'VE GOT A TISSUE FOR YOU.
THERE YOU GO. THERE YOU GO.
HERE'S YOUR MOTHER. THIS IS THE 1990 ACADEMY AWARDS.
( APPLAUSE ) "GLORY."
>> THIS IS TERRIBLE! >> Stephen: NO--
>> AND DIDN'T-- DIDN'T CRY AT HER FUNERAL.
>> Stephen: WHY DO YOU THINK? >> I DON'T KNOW.
I GUESS I SAVED IT UP FOR YOU. ( LAUGHTER )
>> Stephen: WELL, YOU KNOW, THE INTERESTING THING ABOUT THIS
CONFIDENCE, THIS GUY, HIS CONFIDENCE RIGHT HERE, SIGMUND
FREUD, WHO HAD HIS FAULTS, SAID THAT A SON WHO BELIEVES HIMSELF
TO BE HIS MOTHER'S FAVORITE HAS A LIVED LONG CONFIDENCE THAT
NOTHING CAN SHAKE. >> WOW.
I DON'T KNOW IF I WAS HER FAVORITE.
I GAVE HER THE HARDEST TIME. I CAN TELL YOU THAT.
( LAUGHTER ) >> Stephen: WELL, DENZEL, IT
WAS REALLY WONDERFUL TO SEE YOU AGAIN.
THANK YOU FOR COMING. >> MY PLEASURE.
HUG THEM, LOVE THEM. ( APPLAUSE )
>> YOU KNOW IT WELL. YOU'VE DONE DOWN THAT ROAD?
>> Stephen: YEAH, A COUPLE OF TIMES.
THANK YOU, DENZEL. ( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE )
THEATERS CHRISTMAS DAY, AND ON APPLE TV+ JANUARY 14.
IT'S DENZEL WASHINGTON, EVERYBODY.
WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL.
♪ ♪ ♪ ( APPLAUSE )
WELCOME BACK, EVERYBODY. MY NEXT GUEST IS AN ACTOR YOU
KNOW FROM "SECRETARY," "CRAZY HEART," AND
"THE DARK KNIGHT." SHE'S NOW WRITTEN AND DIRECTED
HER FIRST FEATURE FILM, "THE LOST DAUGHTER."
>> YOU REALLY PUT US THROUGH IT, HUH?
>> I THOUGHT YOU SAID YOU WERE PREGNANT WITH YOUR FIRST?
>> I AM. >> WHAT WERE YOUR DAUGHTERS LIKE
WHEN THEY WERE LITTLE? WERE THEY LIKE THIS WILLFUL
LITTLE CREATURE? >> HONESTLY, I CAN'T REMEMBER,
ACTUALLY. >> NO, YOU CAN'T FORGET ANYTHING
ABOUT YOUR OWN CHILDREN. >> IS THAT YOUR EXPERIENCE?
>> I JUST MEAN... DID YOUR DAUGHTERS GIVE YOU A
HARD TIME WHEN THEY WERE LITTLE? >> I HONESTLY DON'T REMEMBER.
>> YOU OKAY? >> SHE DOESN'T REMEMBER.
>> I WAS VERY TIRED. EXCUSE ME.
>> Stephen: PLEASE WELOME BACK TO "THE LATE SHOW," MAGGIE
GYLLENHAAL! ♪ ♪ ♪
( APPLAUSE ) >> HELLO.
>> Stephen: NICE TO SEE YOU. >> NICE TO SEE YOU, TOO.
>> Stephen: I'M SO GLAD YOU'RE HERE AND I'M SO GLAD WE HAVE A
CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT THIS MOVIE WHICH I CANNOT RECOMMEND HIGHLY
ENOUGH. >> THANK YOU.
>> Stephen: IT NOT ONLY IS AN EXTRAORDINARY DIRECTORIAL AND
SCREEN-ADAPTING, WREEN WRITING-ADAPTING DEBUT, BUT THE
PERFORMANCES ARE FANTASTIC. OLIVIA COLEMAN, JESSIE BUCKLEY.
IT IS A BEAUTIFUL AND HEARTWRENDING AND MYSTERIOUS
DEPICKED OF MOTHERHOOD AND ONE WOMAN'S REACTION TO THAT.
AND WE'LL GET TO THAT IN JUST A MOMENT.
BUT FIRST, YOU HAVE BEEN ACTING SINCE YOU WERE A KID.
WHEN DID YOU SAY, "OKAY, I'M GOING TO BE A DIRECTOR?"
HAS THIS BEEN A LONGTIME THING? >> YOU KNOW, I THINK NOW THAT
I'VE MADE A FILM, I-- I REALIZE I WAS ALWAYS A DIRECTOR.
AND WHEN I WAS ACTING-- I MEAN, I LOVE ACTING, AND I MISSACKING,
AND IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME. IT'S SINCE "THE DEUCE" I HAVEN'T
ACTED IN ANYTHING. >> Stephen: WELL AS THE
DIRECTOR YOU CAN CAST YOURSELF. >> WHICH IS NICE, TAKE OUT THE
MIDDLE MAN. BUT I WAS ALWAYS, LIKE, BANGING
UP AGAINST SOMETHING. YOU KNOW, I WAS ALWAYS WANTING
MORE THAN I WAS ABLE TO EXPRESS AS AN ACTRESS.
AND, YOU KNOW, ALSO, THERE'S THIS THING-- I READ THIS THING
THAT SUPPOSEDLY MERYL STREEP SAILED-- I DON'T KNOW IF SHE
DID. SHE'LL TELL US NOW, PROBABLY, IF
WE SAY IT ON COLBERT. BUT THAT-- THAT IF YOU'RE AN
ACTRESS AND YOU HAVE AN IDEA AND YOU NEED IT IN ORDER TO GET YOUR
WORK DONE, OFFER IT UP WITH A SPOON FULL OF SUGAR.
AND I THINK IT'S REALLY GOOD ADVICE.
AND I TOOK THAT ADVICE FOR MOST OF MY LIFE.
BUT IT'S A LOT OF WORK. >> Stephen: THE SUGAR PART.
>> YEAH, THE SUGAR PART. AND, YOU KNOW, EVEN THEN, YOU
PROBABLY GET WHAT, 40% OF WHAT IT IS YOU WANTED TO EXPRESS
ACTUALLY IN THE FILM, WHEREAS AS A DIRECTOR, IT'S ALL-- IT'S ALL
IN THERE. YOU KNOW, WHICH IS TERRIFYING.
MY MOVIE COMES OUT IN A COUPLE OF DAYS, YOU KNOW.
IT'S SCARY TO HAVE IT ALL OUT THERE.
BUT IT ALSO FEELS GREAT, BECAUSE IT IS-- IT IS WHAT I MEANT TO
SAY. >> Stephen: THIS MOVIE TALKS
ABOUT MOTHERHOOD, ESPECIALLY YOUNG MOTHERHOOD, IN A WAY THAT
YOU DON'T ORDINARILY SEE. AND IT IS ABOUT LOVE.
BUT IT'S ALSO ABOUT THE DIFFICULTY, AND IN A CERTAIN
SENSE-- CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG HERE-- ONE WOMAN'S AMBIVALENCE
ABOUT HER ROLE AS A MOTHER. >> YES.
>> Stephen: YOU DON'T SEE THAT DEPICTOLD THE SCREEN.
YOU EITHER SEE A BAD MOTHER OR A GOOD MOTHER.
>> WELL, I HAVE LOTS OF THOUGHTS ABOUT THIS, I MEAN --
>> Stephen: SHARE A FEW, SHARE A FEW.
>> OKAY. I THINK...
WHEN WE'RE LITTLE, OUR SURVIVAL DEPENDS ON OUR PARENTS, AND
MAYBE IN PARTICULAR, OUR MOTHERS, BECAUSE THEY'RE FEEDING
US FROM THEIR BODIES-- WANTING NOTHING MORE-- OUR FANTASY THAT
THEY WANT NOTHING MORE THAN TO TAKE CARE OF US.
BECAUSE OUR ACTUAL SURVIVAL DEPENDS ON IT.
WHEN, IN FACT, THEY'RE US. THEY ALSO WANT TO HAVE A DRINK
SOMETIMES, AND THEY ALSO WANT A NIGHT WITH THEIR HUSBAND OR WIFE
AND THEY ALSO WANT TO WORK AND THEY WANT MANY THINGS, LIKE WE
DO. >> Stephen: AND TO BE AWAY
FROM YOU. >> EXACTLY.
( LAUGHTER ) EXACTLY.
AND SO I THINK THERE'S A PART OF US THAT CAN BARELY BEAR TO
CONDITIONAL HOW-- THAT PARENTHOOD, NO MATTER WHAT,
INCLUDES AMBIVALENCE. AND, I MEAN, MY FILM --
>> Stephen: WE CAN'T BEAR IT AS PARENTS, BUT WE ALSO CAN'T
BEAR IT AS CHILDREN TO THINK THAT OUR PARENTS DIDN'T NEED US
AS MUCH AS WE NEEDED THEM ALL THE TIME.
>> WELL, YEAH. ALSO, THERE'S NOWHERE TO TALK
ABOUT ALL THE FEELINGS OF AMBIVALENCE THAT WE HAVE AS
PARENTS. NOT JUST GIVI AMBIVALENCE PPAREG
IS INCREDIBLE. I GET A CHANCE TO MAKE A MOVIE
ABOUT ANYTHING I WANT. IT'S ALL ABOUT MOTHERHOOD--
WELL, IT'S ABOUT OTHER THINGS, TOO.
THAT'S A HUGE ASPECT OF WHO I AM.
I LOVE MY CHILDREN, BUT, LIKE, IT'S A VERY COMPLICATED
EXPERIENCE, RIGHT. I MEAN, AND MOSTLY, IF IT
DOESN'T FITTED IN THIS VERY NARROW SPACE THAT WE'VE AGREED
WE'RE ALLOWED TO TALK ABOUT, THEN THEY SAY SOMETHING'S WRONG
WITH YOU. BUT IN FACT, HOW CAN YOU BE A
PARENT AS ANYTHING OTHER THAN A BEGINNER, RIGHT?
YOU KNOW, THEY'RE LIKE, "HERE, HERE", YOU KNOW,.
>> Stephen: THERE IS THAT FEELING WHEN YOU GET THE BABY,
LIKE, "NO, NO, NO. THERE'S A MISTAKE.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO." >> WELL, YES!
IT'S DESIGNED TO INCLUDE FAILURE.
AND IF IT INCLUDES FAILURE, IT WILL ALSO INCLUDE GROWING.
BUT GROWING HURTS. >> Stephen: SURE.
AND YOU'RE FAILING AT THIS PRECIOUS THING, WHICH IS
DEVELOPING ANOTHER HUMAN BEING. >> AS YOU'RE GROWING, AS YOU'RE
LOVING, AS YOU'RE-- ALL OF THIS. BUT SO IF WE CAN INCLUDE TERROR,
REAL ANXIETY, DESPAIR ALONG WITH, LIKE, THE HEARTWRENCHING
ECSTASY ON EITHER SIDES OF THE EXPERIENCE THAT WE'RE ALL
ALLOWED TO TALK ABOUT, I THINK-- I THINK IT WOULD BE-- I THINK
IT'S COMFORTING TO SORT OF GO, "YOU'RE NOT THE ONLY PERSON THAT
EVER HAD THESE FEELINGS,", YOU KNOW,.
>> Stephen: AND YOU ARE CERTAINLY NOT THE ONLY PERSON
WHO HAS EVER HAD THESE FEELINGS, BECAUSE THIS IS BASED ON THE
NOVEL "THE LOST DAUGHTER" BY ELENA FERRANTE.
PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHO ELENA FERRANTE IS.
SHE IS SORT OF A MYSTERIOUS FIGURE IN MANY WAYS.
THERE'S A LOT OF MYSTERY ABOUT WHO SHE IS.
>> THESE ANONYMOUS. IT'S A PEN NAME.
AND SHE'S WRITTEN ALL THESE BOOKS THAT EVERYONE IS FREAKING
OUT ABOUT, THAT THEY'RE GOING, "OH, MY GOD, YOU'RE SPEAKING TO
ME. NO ONE HAS SAID THIS BEFORE.
HER BOOKS ARE FLYING OFF THE SHELVES."
>> Stephen: SHE'S ANONYMOUS, YOU DON'T KNOW WHO SHE IS-- YOU
WROTE HER A PERSONAL LETTER. HOW DO YOU ADDRESS SOMETHING TO
SOMEONE YOU DON'T KNOW. >> LIKE SANTA CLAUS.
>> Stephen: "DEAR SANTA, I'VE BEEN VERY GOOD THIS YEAR."
>> AND YOU CROSS YOUR FINGERS. >> Stephen: SHE GAVE YOU
PERMISSION TO MAKE IT, AND ACTUALLY TOLD YOU TO DO IT YOUR
OWN WAY. >> YEAH.
>> Stephen: WHICH WAS AN INCREDIBLY GENEROUS THING FOR
HER TO DO. >> YEAH.
>> Stephen: AND SHE SAID THIS RECENTLY IN AN INTERVIEW ABOUT
HAVING SEEN THE FILM. SHE SAID, "TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH
I LIKE THE WHOLE FILM. GYLLENHAAL MAKES TRUE CINEMA.
SHE TRUSTS IMAGES, EVERY THUS THE STORY FLOWS, AND, YET, SINKS
INTO ITS DARK SIDES. DIGS WITHIN.
YES, IT'S A GREAT JOB." HOW DOES THAT FEEL?
( APPLAUSE ) >> WELL, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE--
BECAUSE ELENA FERRANTE IS ANONYMOUS, AND BECAUSE HER BOOK
JUST SO ( BLEEP ) GOOD, SHE HAS BEEN THIS KIND OF FANTASY,
FEMININE, COSMIC, LIKE THING OUT IN THE UNIVERSE.
LET ME JUST SAY, THE MOVIE IS, YES, A LOT ABOUT MOTHERING, BUT
IT IS ALSO IN GENERAL, AND THE BOOK, TOO, ABOUT A REAL
ARTICULATION OF WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE A WOMAN IN THE WORLD-- AS
A LOVER, AS A THINKER, AS AN ARTIST, AND AS A MOTHER.
SHE'S BEEN SO HONEST ABOUT THESE THINGS.
WHICH THEN, RIGHT, I DON'T KNOW WHO SHE IS.
BUT SHE CAN BE WHOEVER I NEED HER TO BE.
WHEN I ASKED HER FOR THE RIGHTS-- I DON'T KNOW IF YOU
KNOW THIS-- I WROTE TO HER, SLAWZ, YOU KNOW.
I WROTE TO HER AND I SAID, "I WANT TO DIRECT IT, AND I WOULD
LIKE THE RIGHTS, AND THIS IS WHY."
AND SHE SAID, "YES, YOU CAN HAVE THE RIGHTS.
BUT THE CONTRACT IS VOID UNLESS YOU DIRECT IT.
THE. SO EVEN THOUGH I HAD WANTED TO
DIRECT IT, AND IT WAS, LIKE, YOU KNOW, NEW FOR ME AND SCARY FOR
ME. HERE COMES THIS VOTE OF
CONFIDENCE FROM OUT IN THE COSMOS SOMEWHERE.
THEN, YEAH, THEN SHE WROTE THIS OTHER PIECE IN "THE GUARDIAN"
SAYING, "TAKE IT, AND MAKE IT YOURS, THAT IT'S IMPORTANT THAT
IT BE GOOD, AND THAT THE ONLY WAY THAT IT WILL BE GOOD IF IT'S
MINE." AND I DID THAT.
AND THEN, SHE WRITES THIS PIECE IN THE "NEW STATESMAN," AND I
WAS DOING AN INTERVIEW, AND SOMEONE WHO WAS OVERSEEING THE
INTERVIEW SAID, "YOU MIGHT WANT TO READ THE 'NEW STATESMAN', AND
I STOOD OUT ON THE BALCONY AND STOOD THERE READING THIS PIECE.
IT'S NOT JUST THAT SHE LIKED IT. LIKE, SHE SAW IT.
( APPLAUSE ) I'M HAPPY FOR YOU.
THAT'S WONDERFUL. >> THANK YOU.
>> Stephen: MAGGIE. IT'S WONDERFUL TO SEE YOU AGAIN.
THANK YOU FOR THIS FILM. "THE LOST DAUGHTER" IS IN
THEATERS THIS FRIDAY AND ON NETFLIX DECEMBER 31.
MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL, EVERBODY! WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE )
LATE SHOW." THANK YOU AGAIN TO EVERYONE WHO
JOINED ME FOR THE "LORD OF THE RINGS" SONG!
YOU CAN JOIN SEAN ASTIN'S BOOK CLUB fable.co TO READ "LORD OF
THE RINGS" WITH SAMWISE HIMSELF. AND YOU CAN CATCH METHOD MAN IN
"POWER BOOK 2: GHOST" CURRENTLY ON STARZ.
TUNE IN TOMORROW WHEN MY GUEST WILL BE ANDERSON COOPER.
JAMES CORDEN IS NEXT. GOOD NIGHT.
Captioning sponsored by CBS Media Access Group at WGBH