S1·E135 Anthony Mackie, Rob Reiner, Maxwell

Episode recap

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert continues its first‑season run in episode 135, a program that follows the series’ established comedy‑talk format. As described in the series overview, Stephen Colbert brings his signature satire and comedy to the late‑night stage, and this episode adheres to that premise. The episode opens with Colbert greeting the studio audience and introducing the night’s guests. He welcomes actor Anthony Mackie, whose appearance adds a cinematic perspective to the conversation, and director‑actor Rob Reiner, whose presence contributes a seasoned view of the entertainment industry. Both guests join Colbert on the set for a segment in which the host engages them in dialogue, maintaining the talk‑show tradition of interview‑based interaction. After the guest segment, the program transitions to its musical portion. The episode features a live performance by the singer‑songwriter Maxwell, who delivers a set that serves as the musical centerpiece of the broadcast. Maxwell’s appearance follows the series’ customary practice of concluding each show with a performance by a contemporary musical act. Throughout the episode, Colbert’s hosting style remains consistent with the show’s overall tone, blending humor with topical commentary while allowing the guests and musical performer to occupy the spotlight in turn. The structure of the episode—host introduction, guest appearances, and a concluding musical set—mirrors the format outlined for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, reinforcing the program’s blend of satire, interview, and live music. Episode 135 thus offers viewers a concise example of the series’ formula, combining the presence of notable entertainment figures with a performance that highlights current musical talent.