S1·E5 Emily Blunt, Justice Stephen Breyer, The Dead Weather

Episode recap

The episode opens with Stephen Colbert confronting Novak Djokovic in a segment described as a “face‑off.” The interaction is presented in the show’s characteristic satirical style, positioning the tennis champion as a foil for Colbert’s comedic commentary. Following this, the program moves to a segment in which Colbert “gets all up in your faith,” a brief exploration of religious themes that aligns with the host’s habit of probing personal belief systems through humor.

The next guest is actress Emily Blunt, who joins Colbert to discuss the film Sicario. Their conversation centers on the movie’s narrative and thematic elements, and it includes a comedic “vomit‑off” between the two, a physical gag that underscores the episode’s playful tone. The segment blends film discussion with the host’s trademark absurdist humor.

Justice Stephen Breyer appears later in the broadcast to talk about recent political developments and to promote his newly released book, The Court and the World. The former Supreme Court justice offers his perspective on contemporary issues, linking his commentary to the broader political climate, while also providing insight into the themes and arguments presented in his publication.

The musical portion of the show features the rock group The Dead Weather, who perform “I Feel Love (Every Million Miles)” from their album Dodge and Burn. The performance is presented in the series’ standard live‑music format, delivering the band’s distinctive sound to the studio audience and viewers at home.

Throughout the episode, Colbert’s monologue and commentary serve as connective tissue between the disparate segments, maintaining the program’s rhythm of satire, interview, and live music. The episode exemplifies the series’ blend of political satire, celebrity interview, and cultural performance, delivering a varied yet cohesive hour of late‑night entertainment.