S1·E9 Lupita Nyong'o, Senator Bernie Sanders, Christopher Wheeldon, Robert Fairchild and Leanne Cope

Episode recap

The ninth episode of the first season of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert presents a series of conversations and a brief performance that reflect the program’s blend of comedy, culture and current affairs. Hosted by Stephen Colbert, the episode opens with an interview of actress Lupita Nyong’o. In that segment Nyong’o speaks about her recent theatrical work on Eclipsed and her involvement in the blockbuster Star Wars: The Force Awakens, offering insight into both the stage production and the high‑profile film franchise. The discussion stays focused on Nyong’o’s artistic choices and the projects’ significance, without extending into unrelated topics.

Following the interview with Nyong’o, the show turns to a political conversation with United States Senator Bernie Sanders. In his appearance Sanders addresses his presidential campaign, outlining the core messages of his platform and the broader goals of his candidacy. The dialogue remains centered on the campaign’s objectives and the senator’s perspective on the political landscape at the time of the broadcast.

The episode then shifts to the performing arts, featuring choreographer Christopher Wheeldon. Wheeldon discusses his work on the stage adaptation of An American in Paris, describing the creative process behind translating the classic film into a live ballet setting. To illustrate the discussion, dancers Robert Fairchild and Leanne Cope present a selection from the production. Their performance serves as a visual complement to Wheeldon’s commentary, showcasing choreography and staging elements drawn from the musical’s narrative.

Throughout the episode, Stephen Colbert provides the connective commentary that frames each guest segment, maintaining the show’s characteristic tone while allowing each interviewee to elaborate on their respective fields. The episode’s structure—interviews with a film actress, a political figure, and a choreographer followed by a brief ballet excerpt—exemplifies the program’s commitment to covering a wide array of cultural topics within a single broadcast. The content is limited to the subjects identified in the episode synopsis, and no additional dialogue or unsourced material is introduced.