S3·E125 Hank Azaria/Ronan Farrow/Grace VanderWaal

Episode recap

The episode identified as season three, number 125 of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert follows the program’s established format, opening with Stephen Colbert’s opening monologue that blends satire with current‑event commentary, a hallmark of the series’ comedy‑talk style. After the monologue, the show moves to its interview segment, featuring actor Hank Azaria. Azaria is noted for his role in the series Brockmire (2017), and his appearance on the program provides an opportunity for Colbert to discuss Azaria’s recent work and career highlights. The conversation proceeds in the typical interview manner of the series, allowing Azaria to share insights about his projects while Colbert interjects with his characteristic humor.

The next interview segment introduces author Ronan Farrow. Recognized for his work as a writer, Farrow joins Colbert for a discussion that aligns with the show’s practice of engaging guests from a variety of professional backgrounds. The dialogue centers on Farrow’s recent writing endeavors, with Colbert’s questions guiding the conversation while maintaining the program’s comedic tone.

Following the interview portions, the episode presents a musical performance by Grace VanderWaal. VanderWaal, identified as a performer, takes the stage to deliver a live rendition of one of her songs, fitting the series’ tradition of featuring contemporary musical talent. The performance is presented after the interview block, providing a shift from conversation to entertainment, and concludes the core content of the episode.

Throughout the broadcast, the production values remain consistent with the series’ TV‑14 rating, delivering comedy and talk content appropriate for that audience classification. The episode’s structure—monologue, guest interviews, and a musical performance—mirrors the format described in the series overview, where Stephen Colbert “brings his signature satire and comedy” to each installment. By featuring an actor known for Brockmire, an author, and a musical act, the episode exemplifies the show’s blend of entertainment and cultural commentary, delivering a cohesive hour of late‑night programming.