S5·E173 Governor Chris Christie, Gregory Porter

Episode recap

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert episode 173 of season 5 aired as part of the series’ regular weekday schedule, which is broadcast live‑to‑tape in most American markets at 11:35 p.m. ET/PT (10:35 p.m. CT). The program, a comedy‑talk format that carries a TV‑14 rating, is hosted by Stephen Colbert, who also serves as a producer and writer for the series. In keeping with the show’s established structure, the episode opened with Colbert’s opening monologue, after which he introduced the evening’s guests.

The first guest was former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. Colbert welcomed Christie to the desk for a conversation that followed the series’ typical interview style, wherein the host engages political and public‑affairs figures in a blend of satire and discussion. The presence of a former governor aligns with the program’s history of featuring political leaders as part of its news‑and‑politics segment.

The musical portion of the broadcast was provided by jazz vocalist Gregory Porter. After the interview, Porter performed as the episode’s musical guest, a standard element of The Late Show’s format that offers a live performance by a contemporary artist. The show’s production values, including its live‑to‑tape presentation and the inclusion of a musical act, were consistent with the series’ overall approach as described in its general overview.

Throughout the episode, Colbert’s hosting style—characterized by his signature satire and comedy—remained central to the delivery of both the interview and the transition to the musical segment. The episode contributed to the series’ ongoing run, which began in 2015 and continues to present a mix of comedic commentary, guest interviews, and live music within each installment. No additional guests or segments were noted for this particular broadcast beyond former Governor Christie and Gregory Porter.