The Late Show with Stephen Colbert: Season 9
Season 9 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 8.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Episode Guide
Season 9 Progress Shield
10/2/23 (Neil deGrasse Tyson, Louis Cato)
Oct 2, 2023 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and a musical performance by Louis Cato.
10/3/23 (John Oliver, boygenius)
Oct 3, 2023 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes TV host John Oliver and a musical performance by boygenius.
10/4/23 (Anderson Cooper, Japanese Breakfast)
Oct 4, 2023 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes journalist Anderson Cooper and a musical performance by Japanese Breakfast.
10/5/23 (Bob Odenkirk, Fortune Feimster)
Oct 5, 2023 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actor Bob Odenkirk and comedian Fortune Feimster.
10/9/23 (Arnold Schwarzenegger, Metric)
Oct 9, 2023 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actor Arnold Schwarzenegger and a performance by Metric.
10/10/23 (Kerry Washington, Maxwell Frost)
Oct 10, 2023 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actress Kerry Washington and US Representative Maxwell Frost.
10/11/23 (John Fetterman, Melissa Villasenor)
Oct 11, 2023 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes Senator John Fetterman and actress Melissa Villaseñor.
10/12/23 (John Mulaney, Darius Rucker)
Oct 12, 2023 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes comic John Mulaney and a musical performance by Darius Rucker.
10/16/23 (Jada Pinkett Smith, Ricky Velez)
Oct 16, 2023 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actress Jada Pinkett Smith and comic Ricky Velez.
Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff, Lindsay Mendez, Arlo Parks
Oct 23, 2023 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actors Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff and Lindsay Mendez and a musical performance by Arlo Parks.
10/24/23 (Jim Gaffigan, Caroline Polachek)
Oct 24, 2023 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes comic Jim Gaffigan and a musical performance by Caroline Polachek.
10/25/23 (Talking Heads, Mae Martin)
Oct 25, 2023 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes rock band Talking Heads and actor Mae Martin.
10/26/23 (Keegan-Michael Key, Elle Key, John Carpenter)
Oct 26, 2023 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actor Keegan-Michael Key, producer Elle Key and filmmaker John Carpenter.
10/30/23 (Henry Winkler, Melissa Etheridge)
Oct 30, 2023 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actor Henry Winkler and singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge.
10/31/23 (John Dickerson, Alex Newell)
Oct 31, 2023 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes journalist John Dickerson with a musical performance by Alex Newell.
Adam Kinzinger, Willie Nelson
Nov 1, 2023 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes former United States Representative Adam Kinzinger and a musical performance by Willie Nelson.
Pete Buttigieg, Willie Nelson
Nov 2, 2023 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg and singer Willie Nelson.
Rachel Maddow, Gracie Abrams
Nov 14, 2023 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes TV host Rachel Maddow and a musical performance by Gracie Abrams.
Paul Giamatti, Tom Blyth
Nov 15, 2023 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actor Paul Giamatti and actor Tom Blyth.
Jonathan Karl, Maria Bamford
Nov 16, 2023 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes journalist Jonathan Karl and comic Maria Bamford.
David Letterman, The National
Nov 20, 2023 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes television host David Letterman and a musical performance by The National.
Bradley Cooper, José Andrés
Nov 21, 2023 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actor Bradley Cooper and chef José Andrés.
Peter Dinklage, Tig Notaro
Nov 22, 2023 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actor Peter Dinklage and comic Tig Notaro.
Liz Cheney, Olivia Rodrigo
Dec 11, 2023 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes former Representative Liz Cheney and a musical performance by Olivia Rodrigo.
Taraji P. Henson, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
Dec 12, 2023 · 41 min
Actress Taraji P. Henson; Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit perform.
Jason Momoa, Robert Smigel
Dec 13, 2023 · 41 min
Actor Jason Momoa; comic Robert Smigel.
Greta Gerwig, Andrew Scott
Dec 14, 2023 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes director Greta Gerwig and actor Andrew Scott.
Kenan Thompson, Olivia Rodrigo, Evie Colbert
Dec 18, 2023 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actor Kenan Thompson, a musical performance by Olivia Rodrigo, and First Drafts with Evie Colbert.
Adam Driver, Jon Batiste
Dec 19, 2023 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actor Adam Driver plus an interview with and musical performance by Jon Batiste.
Nicki Minaj, Liam Neeson
Dec 20, 2023 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes rapper Nicki Minaj and The Indict-mare Before Christmas narrated by Liam Neeson.
Anderson Cooper, Andy Cohen
Dec 21, 2023 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes journalist Anderson Cooper, TV host Andy Cohen, and a musical performance by Louis Cato with the Late Show Band.
Barbra Streisand, Taylor Tomlinson
Jan 8, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes comic/TV host Taylor Tomlinson and Barbra Streisand takes the Colbert Questionert.
Gayle King, Charles Barkley, Ebon Moss-Bachrach
Jan 9, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes journalist Gayle King, former professional basketball player Charles Barkley, and actor Ebon Moss-Bachrach.
1/10/24 (America Ferrera, Reneé Rapp)
Jan 10, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actress America Ferrera and singer-songwriter Reneé Rapp.
1/11/24 (Emily Blunt, Colman Domingo)
Jan 11, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actress Emily Blunt, actor Colman Domingo, and John Scofield sits in with Louis Cato & the Late Show Band.
Nicki Minaj, Jeff Tweedy, Daniel Caesar, Taylor Tomlinson
Jan 16, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes musician Jeff Tweedy and a musical performance by Daniel Caesar and a special appearance by Taylor Tomlinson.
1/17/24 (Clive Owen, Juno Temple, The Last Dinner Party)
Jan 17, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actor Clive Owen, actress Juno Temple and a musical performance by The Last Dinner Party.
1/18/24 (Common, Steven Wright)
Jan 18, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes rapper Common and comic Steven Wright.
1/22/24 (Trevor Noah, Ruby Bridges)
Jan 22, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes comic Trevor Noah and American civil rights activist Ruby Bridges.
1/23/24 (André 3000, Jelani Cobb)
Jan 23, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes rapper André 3000 and author Jelani Cobb.
1/24/24 (Austin Butler, Kingsley Ben-Adir)
Jan 24, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actor Austin Butler and actor Kingsley Ben-Adir.
1/25/24 (Martin Scorsese, Future Islands)
Jan 25, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes filmmaker Martin Scorsese with a performance by Future Islands.
1/29/24 (Bryan Cranston, Michele Norris)
Jan 29, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actor Bryan Cranston and journalist Michele Norris.
1/30/24 (Emma Stone, Jaime Harrison)
Jan 30, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actress Emma Stone and Democratic National Committee chair Jaime Harrison.
1/31/24 (Demi Moore, Paul Walter Hauser)
Jan 31, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actress Demi Moore and actor Paul Walter Hauser.
John Cena, Kwame Alexander, Asake
Feb 1, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actor John Cena, writer Kwame Alexander and a musical performance by Asake.
2/5/24 (Elizabeth Warren, Usama Siddiquee)
Feb 5, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes Senator Elizabeth Warren and comic Usama Siddiquee.
2/6/24 (Joy-Ann Reid, A'ja Wilson)
Feb 6, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes journalist Joy-Ann Reid and basketball player A'ja Wilson.
2/7/24 (Christopher Nolan)
Feb 7, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes filmmaker Christopher Nolan.
2/8/24 (André 3000, Justin Hartley)
Feb 8, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes rapper André 3000 and actor Justin Hartley.
2/11/24 (John Krasinski, Ryan Gosling, Jon Stewart)
Feb 11, 2024
Stephen welcomes actor John Krasinski, actor Ryan Gosling, with a special appearance by Jon Stewart.
2/12/24 (John Oliver, Killer Mike)
Feb 12, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes TV host John Oliver and a musical performance by Killer Mike.
Matt Damon, Danielle Pinnock
Feb 13, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actor Matt Damon and actress Danielle Pinnock.
2/14/24 (Mark Wahlberg, Lily Gladstone)
Feb 14, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actor Mark Wahlberg and actress Lily Gladstone.
2/15/24 (Billy Joel, Chappell Roan)
Feb 15, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes singer Billy Joel and a musical performance by Chappell Roan.
2/26/24 (Arnold Schwarzenegger, Julio Torres)
Feb 26, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actor Julio Torres.
2/27/24 (Josh Brolin, Amanda Gorman, Jan Vogler)
Feb 27, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actor Josh Brolin and Amanda Gorman & Jan Vogler.
2/28/24 (Chris Hayes, Carrie Preston)
Feb 28, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes journalist Chris Hayes and actress Carrie Preston.
2/29/24 (Rebecca Ferguson, Denis Villeneuve)
Feb 29, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actress Rebecca Ferguson and filmmaker Denis Villeneuve.
3/4/24 (RuPaul, Yuval Noah Harari)
Mar 4, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes TV personality RuPaul and author Yuval Noah Harari.
3/5/24 (Sen. Bernie Sanders, Bleachers)
Mar 5, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes Senator Bernie Sanders and a musical performance by Bleachers.
3/6/24 (Neil deGrasse Tyson, Ariel Elias)
Mar 6, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and a stand up performance by Ariel Elias.
3/7/24 (John Dickerson, De La Soul)
Mar 7, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes political analyst John Dickerson and a musical performance by De La Soul.
3/11/24 (Kristen Stewart, Tom Hollander)
Mar 11, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actress Kristen Stewart and actor Tom Hollander.
3/12/24 (Diane Lane, Patton Oswalt)
Mar 12, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actress Diane Lane and actor Patton Oswalt.
Paul Rudd, Cecilia Vega
Mar 13, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actor Paul Rudd and journalist Cecilia Vega.
3/14/24 (Paul Simon)
Mar 14, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes an interview with and musical performance by Paul Simon.
3/25/24 (Stephen Breyer, Justin Thomas)
Mar 25, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes justice Stephen Breyer and professional golfer Justin Thomas.
3/26/24 (Carol Burnett, Waxahatchee featuring MJ Lenderman)
Mar 26, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actress Carol Burnett and a musical performance by Waxahatchee & MJ Lenderman.
3/27/24 (Liam Neeson, Fareed Zakaria)
Mar 27, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actor Liam Neeson and journalist Fareed Zakaria.
Matt Damon, Hannah Waddingham
Apr 1, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actress Hannah Waddingham and Matt Damon takes The Colbert Questionert.
Savannah Guthrie, Tim Blake Nelson
Apr 2, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes journalist Savannah Guthrie and actor Tim Blake Nelson.
4/3/24 (Gillian Anderson, Sonequa Martin-Green, Remi Wolf)
Apr 3, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actress Gillian Anderson, actress Sonequa Martin-Green, and a musical performance by Remi Wolf.
4/4/24 (Steve Buscemi, Henry Louis Gates Jr.)
Apr 4, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actor Steve Buscemi and literary critic Henry Louis Gates Jr.
4/8/24 (Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Tyla)
Apr 8, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and a musical performance by Tyla.
4/9/24 (Maren Morris, Demetri Martin)
Apr 9, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes singer Maren Morris and actor Demetri Martin.
We 4/10/24 (Christiane Amanpour, Wilmer Valderrama)
Apr 10, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes journalist Christiane Amanpour and actor Wilmer Valderrama.
4/15/24 (Salman Rushdie, Anna Sawai, Terence Blanchard)
Apr 15, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes author Salman Rushdie, actress Anna Sawai, and Terence Blanchard sits in with Louis Cato & the Late Show Band.
Orlando Bloom, George Takei, Maggie Rogers
Apr 16, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actor Orlando Bloom, actor George Takei, and a musical performance by Maggie Rogers.
4/17/24 (John Lithgow, Doris Kearns Goodwin)
Apr 17, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actor John Lithgow and historian Doris Kearns Goodwin.
Sandra Oh, Reid Scott, Daniel Radcliffe
Apr 18, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actress Sandra Oh, actor Reid Scott, and actor Daniel Radcliffe.
4/29/24 (Jean Smart, Gayle Rankin)
Apr 29, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actress Jean Smart and actress Gayle Rankin.
4/30/24 (Jeff Daniels, Hannah Einbinder, Béla Fleck)
Apr 30, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actor Jeff Daniels, comic Hannah Einbinder, and Béla Fleck sits in with Louis Cato & the Late Show Band.
5/1/24 (Carol Burnett, Phil Keoghan, Jacob Collier)
May 1, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes TV host Phil Keoghan, a musical performance by Jacob Collier, and Carol Burnett takes “The Colbert Questionert.”
John Leguizamo, Laura Coates
May 2, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actor John Leguizamo and attorney Laura Coates.
Ethan Hawke, Cedric the Entertainer
May 6, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actor Ethan Hawke and actor Cedric the Entertainer.
Tiffany Haddish, Meredith Scardino
May 7, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actress Tiffany Haddish and screenwriter Meredith Scardino.
5/8/24 (Jen Psaki, Elyanna)
May 8, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes political analyst Jen Psaki and a musical performance by Elyanna.
5/9/24 (Ryan Gosling, Desi Lydic)
May 9, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes Ryan Gosling takes “The Colbert Questionert” and actress Desi Lydic.
5/13/24 (Steve Carell, Paul Simon)
May 13, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actor Steve Carell and a musical performance by Paul Simon.
5/14/24 (Jennifer Hudson, Marisa Abela)
May 14, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes singer Jennifer Hudson and actress Marisa Abela.
Up For Debate!
May 15, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes TV host George Stephanopoulos and comic Michelle Buteau.
5/16/24 (David Letterman, Claudia Jessie, Norah Jones)
May 16, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes David Letterman takes The Colbert Questionert, actress Claudia Jessie, and a musical performance by Norah Jones.
Sarah Paulson, Paul Scheer, a performance from Broadway's "Merrily We Roll Along"
May 20, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actress Sarah Paulson, actor Paul Scheer, and performance by the Broadway cast of “Merrily We Roll Along.”
Billie Eilish
May 21, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes an interview with and musical performance by Billie Eilish.
5/22/24 (Anya Taylor-Joy, Doug Emhoff)
May 22, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actress Anya Taylor-Joy and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff.
5/23/24 (Chris Hemsworth, James Dyson)
May 23, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actor Chris Hemsworth and business magnate James Dyson.
6/3/24 (Alicia Keys, Stephen Merchant)
Jun 3, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes singer-songwriter Alicia Keys and actor Stephen Merchant.
Viggo Mortensen, Olivia Cooke
Jun 4, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actor Viggo Mortensen, actress Olivia Cooke, and a performance by the cast of “Illinoise.”
6/5/24 (Jon Bon Jovi, Tig Notaro)
Jun 5, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes singer Jon Bon Jovi and comedian Tig Notaro.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Hozier
Jun 6, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus and a musical performance by Hozier.
6/10/24 (Senator Cory Booker, Billie Eilish)
Jun 10, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes Senator Cory Booker and a musical performance by Billie Eilish.
6/11/24 (Jake Gyllenhaal, Chloe Fineman)
Jun 11, 2024 · 41 min
Steven welcomes actor Jake Gyllenhaal and comedian Chloe Fineman.
6/12/24 (Seth Meyers, Omar Apollo)
Jun 12, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes TV host Seth Meyers and a musical performance by Omar Apollo.
6/13/24 (Jude Law, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats)
Jun 13, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actor Jude Law and a musical performance by Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats.
6/17/24 (Dr. Anthony Fauci, Callum Turner, Trombone Shorty)
Jun 17, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes Dr. Anthony Fauci and actor Callum Turner.
6/18/24 (Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Tommy Vietor, Lake Street Dive)
Jun 18, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes podcast hosts Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett & Tommy Vietor, and a musical performance by Lake Street Dive.
6/19/24 (Cynthia Erivo, Rep. Jamaal Bowman)
Jun 19, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actress Cynthia Erivo and Rep. Jamaal Bowman.
6/20/24 (Jeremy Allen White, Ava DuVernay)
Jun 20, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actor Jeremy Allen White and director Ava DuVernay.
7/8/24 (Michael Douglas, Abby Phillip, Antony Starr, Chace Crawford, Colby Minifie)
Jul 8, 2024 · 41 min
Kaitlan Collins, Walton Goggins
Aug 12, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes journalist Kaitlan Collins and actor Walton Goggins.
Bowen Yang, Nick Cave
Aug 13, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes actor Bowen Yang and musician Nick Cave.
Alex Wagner, Ali Macofsky
Aug 14, 2024 · 41 min
Stephen welcomes TV host Alex Wagner and comic Ali Macofsky.
8/15/24 (Sean Hayes, Billie Eilish, Hiroyuki Sanada, Koe Wetzel with Jessie Murph)
Aug 15, 2024 · 45 min
8/22/24 (Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Mavis Staples, Jeff Tweedy, Jennifer Hudson, Ian Happ, Nico Hoerner, Jameson Taillon)
Aug 22, 2024 · 45 min