The Colbert Report: Season 11
Season 11 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of The Colbert Report Season 10.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Episode Guide
Season 11 Progress Shield
Jamie Oliver
Sep 29, 2014
Pundits imply that Obama is mimicking George W. Bush, Hillary Clinton becomes a grandmother, Kim Jong-un battles a cheese addiction, and Jamie Oliver talks "Comfort Food."
Jeffrey Tambor
Sep 30, 2014
A Muslim NFL player gets punished for praying, Bobby Jindal rethinks his pro-knowledge agenda, Hans Beinholtz accentuates the negative, and Jeffrey Tambor talks "Transparent."
Mike Mullen
Oct 1, 2014
Author Louisa Lim discusses civil unrest in Hong Kong, Stephen offends Bill O'Reilly, and retired Navy Admiral Mike Mullen discusses ISIS and the Middle East.
Lynn Sherr
Oct 2, 2014
Dr. Kent Sepkowitz discusses America's first Ebola case, rich Americans develop new ways to exclude others, and Lynn Sherr talks "Sally Ride: America's First Woman in Space."
James M. McPherson
Oct 6, 2014
Gay marriage becomes legal in 30 states, Allison Orr Larsen explains amicus briefs, the CDC attempts to quell Ebola fears, and James M. McPherson talks "Embattled Rebel."
Leon Wieseltier
Oct 7, 2014
CNN compares Ebola to ISIS, Rep. Tammy Duckworth talks about Illinois's 8th district, and The New Republic's Leon Wieseltier discusses "Insurrections of the Mind."
Carol Burnett
Oct 8, 2014
John Boehner raises money for an openly gay politician, Obama faces pressure to name the war against ISIS, and Carol Burnett talks about her role in "Love Letters."
Robert Plant
Oct 9, 2014
Seattle puts an end to Columbus Day, two toddlers argue about rain, political ads humanize Republicans, and Robert Plant shares songs from "lullaby and... The Ceaseless Roar."
Walter Isaacson
Oct 13, 2014
Michelle Obama flubs a candidate's name, South Dakota's Senate race heats up, Stephen prepares for his final 32 episodes, and Walter Isaacson discusses "The Innovators."
Neil Young
Oct 14, 2014
The Vatican promotes acceptance of gays, a Republican ad compares Governor Rick Scott to a wedding dress, and "Special Deluxe" author Neil Young performs a duet with Stephen.
Justin Simien
Oct 15, 2014
Google botches Stephen's height, Stan Lee creates an Indian superhero, Sean Hannity shares his fitness secrets, and writer-director Justin Simien talks "Dear White People."
William Deresiewicz
Oct 16, 2014
C.J. Chivers weighs in on abandoned WMDs found in Iraq, Rick Scott and Charlie Crist face off in an unusual debate, and author William Deresiewicz discusses "Excellent Sheep."
Meredith Vieira
Oct 27, 2014
The Ebola virus arrives in New York City, Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert argues against gays in the military, and Meredith Vieira discusses "The Meredith Vieira Show."
Michael Lewis
Oct 28, 2014
The government takes the fun out of Halloween, the NRA defeats a bill against pet eating, Gov. Tom Corbett gets caught using Photoshop, and Michael Lewis talks "Liar's Poker."
Jill Lepore
Oct 29, 2014
Anita Sarkeesian discusses Gamergate, Kevin Vickers stops a shooting spree in Canada's parliament building, and Jill Lepore talks "The Secret History of Wonder Woman."
David Miliband
Oct 30, 2014
Stephen unveils the paperback edition of "America Again," George Takei defends democracy, and David Miliband discusses the International Rescue Committee.
Chuck Todd
Nov 3, 2014
Voters receive shame-inducing flyers, Hitler's face appears on Swiss coffee creamers, Disney offers animated cakes, and Chuck Todd talks "Meet the Press" and "The Stranger."
Andrew Sullivan
Nov 4, 2014
Stephen provides live coverage of the midterms, cable news pundits flaunt high-tech gadgets, and "The Dish" blogger Andrew Sullivan weighs in on the election results.
Kirsten Gillibrand
Nov 5, 2014
Rep. Barbara Lee talks about California's 13th district, voters legalize marijuana in Washington D.C., and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand discusses "Off the Sidelines."
Steven Johnson
Nov 6, 2014
Police arrest an elderly man for feeding the homeless, conservative leaders embrace their lack of scientific knowledge, and Steven Johnson talks "How We Got To Now."
Andy Cohen
Nov 10, 2014
North Korea releases two American prisoners, Rush Limbaugh warns the GOP against governing, snack technology leaps forward, and Andy Cohen discusses "The Andy Cohen Diaries."
Diane von Furstenberg
Nov 11, 2014
The U.S. targets the leader of ISIS, President Obama faces criticism after visiting China, and Diane von Furstenberg chats about "The Woman I Wanted to Be."
Terence Tao
Nov 12, 2014
A drone is used to film people having sex, a Colorado lawmaker claims that President Obama is possessed by demons, and Terence Tao discusses his passion for math.
Jennifer Lawrence
Nov 13, 2014
Emily Bazelon discusses a Supreme Court challenge to Obamacare, gay marriage spreads to South Carolina, and Jennifer Lawrence talks "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1."
Bernie Sanders
Nov 17, 2014
U2's Bono loses his luggage in midair, "Good Morning America" offers sensational survival tips, and Senator Bernie Sanders discusses health care and his plans for 2016.
Eva Longoria
Nov 18, 2014
Freezing temperatures grip the nation, Esteban Colberto talks immigration reform, salvage stores sell expired food to the poor, and Eva Longoria discusses "Food Chains."
Toni Morrison
Nov 19, 2014
A police drill causes panic at a Florida school, activists in New Hampshire target meter maids, Black Friday gets an early start, and Toni Morrison discusses her writing.
Jon Stewart
Nov 20, 2014
President Obama's amnesty plan outrages Republicans, the world's chocolate supply drops to catastrophic levels, and Jon Stewart discusses his movie "Rosewater."
John McCain
Dec 1, 2014
"Star Wars" fans react to a new lightsaber design, members of the St. Louis Rams protest the Ferguson decision, and Senator John McCain discusses "Thirteen Soldiers."
Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga
Dec 2, 2014
Stephen announces an upcoming special in Washington, D.C., T.G.I. Friday's deploys mistletoe drones, and Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga talk about their album, "Cheek to Cheek."
Christopher Nolan
Dec 3, 2014
Congress bans Social Security benefits for Nazis, Pizza Hut introduces a mind-reading menu, Amy Sedaris pays a surprise visit, and Christopher Nolan talks "Interstellar."
Paul Farmer
Dec 4, 2014
Stephen lands an interview with President Obama, a grand jury decision sparks outrage, a soap opera producer becomes an ambassador, and Paul Farmer talks Partners In Health.
President Barack Obama
Dec 8, 2014
In his Mr. Colbert Goes to Washington special, Stephen broadcasts from George Washington University and discusses job creation and immigration with President Barack Obama.
James Corden
Dec 9, 2014
A Discovery Channel special sparks outrage, Rep. Jack Kingston joins Stephen for the final installment of Better Know a District, and James Corden discusses "Into the Woods."
Sarah Koenig
Dec 10, 2014
Pundits react to a scathing Senate report on torture, Tom Blanton discusses CIA interrogation tactics, and Sarah Koenig talks about her investigative podcast, "Serial."
Smaug
Dec 11, 2014
Gov. Scott Walker botches a Jewish phrase, Ridley Scott casts white actors to play Egyptians, Stephen raffles off set pieces from The Report, and Smaug discusses "The Hobbit."
Seth Rogen
Dec 15, 2014
Michele Bachmann shares an explosive holiday wish with President Obama, Stephen argues with Stephen about torture, hackers attack Sony, and Seth Rogen talks "The Interview."
Kendrick Lamar
Dec 16, 2014
Jeb Bush eyes a presidential run, Jason Bordoff discusses OPEC's oil price war, Stephen lets a sponsor rebrand The Report, and Kendrick Lamar debuts an untitled track.
Phil Klay
Dec 17, 2014
The Report's set lives on in cyberspace, Stephen holds a yard sale to clear out his studio, the U.S. lifts its Cuban embargo, and author Phil Klay discusses "Redeployment."
Grimmy
Dec 18, 2014
Stephen weighs in on his impressive legacy, Grimmy resorts to violence, friends of the show join a massive sing-along, and The Report draws to a spectacular close.