Darren Criss: Millennials Want One Thing At A Piano Bar

When he plays at his piano bar, 'The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story' star Darren Criss says there's a type of song that millennials freak out over after the first couple notes.
Subscribe To "The Late Show" Channel HERE: bit.ly/ColbertKZbin
For more content from "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert", click HERE: bit.ly/1AKISnR
Watch full episodes of "The Late Show" HERE: bit.ly/1Puei40
Like "The Late Show" on Facebook HERE: on. 1df139Y
Follow "The Late Show" on Twitter HERE: bit.ly/1dMzZzG
Follow "The Late Show" on Google+ HERE: bit.ly/1JlGgzw
Follow "The Late Show" on Instagram HERE: bit.ly/29wfREj
Follow "The Late Show" on Tumblr HERE: bit.ly/29DVvtR
Watch The Late Show with Stephen Colbert weeknights at 11:35 PM ET/10:35 PM CT. Only on CBS.
Get the CBS app for iPhone & iPad! Click HERE: bit.ly/12rLxge
Get new episodes of shows you love across devices the next day, stream live TV, and watch full seasons of CBS fan favorites anytime, anywhere with CBS All Access. Try it free! bit.ly/1OQA29B
---
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is the premier late night talk show on CBS, airing at 11:35pm EST, streaming online via CBS All Access, and delivered to the International Space Station on a USB drive taped to a weather balloon. Every night, viewers can expect: Comedy, humor, funny moments, witty interviews, celebrities, famous people, movie stars, bits, humorous celebrities doing bits, funny celebs, big group photos of every star from Hollywood, even the reclusive ones, plus also jokes.

[@megankarow2328]

look at all these intellectuals quoting starkid in the comments im so proud

[@liafeistl3196]

Megan Karow it’s totally awesome

[@ezelfrancisco1349]

I don't FIND this surprising at all

[@anishs6764]

Yeah, I totally know him from Glee... *Kicks aside pile of Red Vines*

[@nikolaihnatiuk286]

Redvines, what the hell can't they do?

[@kennedyisanerd9262]

Favorite way to say red wines in a German accent.

[@hb8570]

@@kennedyisanerd9262 RED VINES

[@kennedyisanerd9262]

The HB 😂

[@averybrooks8537]

marinated tea HA

[@adabelle05]

I cant believe this man went from playing Harry Potter in an unauthorized college Harry Potter musical to nominated for an emmy twice Edit: and wINNING AN EMMY!!!

[@filipd3679]

Can you please explain wdym? Literally no Emmy/Oscar/Tony winner had played in high-budget 10/10 series/movie/musical in the beginning of their career so I can’t really understand your logic, actors do develop actually :p

[@grumpy_bear]

Filip D That Darren went from playing the main character in a parody music to where he is now

[@Ray-hk1zm]

Bold of you to assume that AVPM wasn't the best thing that's ever happened to anyone's career.

[@Ray-hk1zm]

@@filipd3679 I think the point was that it's super cool to see him succeed, since we saw him in AVPM.

[@Benjithetoucan]

@@filipd3679 he was in a college parodie musical of harry potter. That went viral in 2009

[@blairelliott2100]

“It’s lit...as the kids say.” Oh Darren I love you.

[@kristinarodriguez4036]

He would be great as prince Eric from the little mermaid. If that movie gets made as a live action he better be playing him

[@awesomesauce6643]

kristina rodriguez can you imagine if they did Part of Your World as a duet though bc Eric wants to be doing other-than-princely things right? I would love that

[@Serianabella]

He was Prince Eric in a live production at the Hollywood Bowl in 2016.

[@courtney-leecollins167]

omg yes yes yes yes yes

[@landonwilliams6797]

YESSSS

[@c_jade]

YES.

[@leighmalcolmson14]

Underneath these stairs I hear the snares and feel the glares of my cousin, my uncle and my aunt

[@Wessssss21]

I know I don't deserve these Stupid rules made by the Dursley's Here on Privet Drive

[@doublemalfunction5938]

Can't take these stupid Muggles But despite all of my struggles I'm still alive

[@rawanthebookworm1536]

Dun dun dun I’m sick of summer and this waiting around Dun dun dun Man it’s September so I’m skipping this town

[@iRazzmic]

Hey It's no mystery! There's nothing here for me NOOOOOW! I gotta get back to HOGWARTS!

[@rachelgrubman4606]

I gotta get back to SCHOOOOL I got to get myself to Hogwarts Where everybody knows I'm COOOOL

[@Kristine_202]

SPOILER ALERT: He wins the Emmy. And John Legend gets his EGOT anyway. Don't we all love a happy ending?

[@gracemarcus2788]

Awww yes we do 😂

[@rtmusicvideos431]

did John get his EGOT with just music or acting too?

[@_____2219]

But Darren didn’t fall down the stairs :’(

[@TheHedgehogGiraffe]

"You know him from Glee," sure Jan, that's what we know him from. Suuuure.

[@ezelfrancisco1349]

I FIND that you’re correct

[@Jennifer-jn3qx]

Darren is just SO likable. Every time he does an appearance, I’m left wanting to be friends with him.

[@beeweisberger7957]

Sammmmeee tho I wanna be more then friends if you know what I mean!

[@TonzLanggoy]

filipino trait out there.... friendly...

[@_____2219]

Everyone wants to be friends with him

[@andrewwright64]

I want to learn piano just to walk into his bar, sit down at the piano, and just take off with a thrilling rendition of "Gilderoy" from AVPSY.

[@Spaceboundwitch]

i would pay to see that

[@tictac4063]

I WOULD DIE FOR THIS

[@fallingdowner5655]

Actually i know this next guest as harry freaking potter, but okay.

[@kohlinoor]

Oh come on, you know what he meant! You're no fun.

[@bengarrison7046]

Harry Potter is as white as the Ku Klux Klan. Where are the non-white, POC characters?

[@grapesofwraith1066]

And that's totally awesome!

[@penileshenanigans2613]

Ben Garrison well yes. In The Cursed Child Hermione is a black woman, Harry's first girlfriend in books and movies was Cho Chang, who is Asian, Dean Thomas, a Gryffindor classmate was a black man. There are a few others. I get your point, and you aren't wrong that there aren't nearly as many, but that is an issue JK has tried to fix starting with Cursed Child and some of the stuff on Pottermore.

[@bengarrison7046]

@Gregor Clegane Those are irrelevant, minor characters. There isn't a POC main character. And even if there were - it won't be enough diversity. Because POC are priveleged + racist who possess institutional power over the physically and mentally handicapped peoples, LGBTP+, and undiscovered extraterrestrial and interdimensional beings who have not received their suffrage yet. This "show," Harry Potter, is incredibly racist, and I'm disgusted by the fact that you enjoy such trite.

[@yoroshiku137]

You mean, "you know my next guest from A Very Potter Musical."

[@loopkill]

Helllllll yeah!!

[@kezlyon760]

yes

[@T._.liu.]

Harry “fuck the tie” potter

[@katecosettevocals]

“If you win the Emmy... will you please fall down the stairs” I SECOND THIS

[@ezelfrancisco1349]

Better than him being under the stairs

[@abigailchorley8118]

I want to go to that bar and request Get Back to Hogwarts.

[@Benji767]

He has a own bar

[@erinlee5936]

Darren needs to be in a Disney musical film 🙏

[@zacsbabygirlay]

Erin Lee YASS HE REALLY DOES! He’s already been prince Eric in the Hollywood bowls production of the little mermaid a few years back so it’s only natural that he actually be in a Disney film now!!!

[@WateverWatever04]

YAAAAAAASSSS

[@curuvari2247]

Disney's "Hermione can't draw".

[@moarroz]

@@sij809 hahahaha i knew he wasn't going into it so i was equally impressed, but he comes from glee so what do you expect. He is a true thespian lol. I was just wondering how he nailed him so spot on from what all I've heard about him. Scary thought to think you were in Fl at the time that monster was running around and they weren't finding him. If that happened today people would lose their shit! All because he was gay they didn't see him as a threat or care about the victims. Sad. I thought the stort filled in a lot of gaps nobody knew.

[@tsufi89]

After they made Jonathan Groff prince consort Darren should be next

[@hannahhensley8497]

I am personally offended that other people only know him from Glee.

[@jorgemejail792]

I was really small when HP Musical came out xd

[@alexthefreakgeek9705]

i was like 4 when AVPM was a thing i feel like i should be given the benefit of the doubt 😩🥺😔

[@irlzombie437]

i feel like its okay for people to only know him from glee but okay-

[@Books_Makeup]

I will always see him as Harry Potter.

[@estella5744]

Haha true.

[@Kyotosomo]

It's Parry Hotter!

[@ethancotter4632]

Kyotosomo Who?

[@juhmemeugh]

A VERY POTTER MUSICAL

[@camillerasch6245]

With that lightning scar, you're a superstar baby 😫

[@callabeth258]

He's Harry Freaking Potter!!!

[@cscottzimnamaste]

Darren Criss is one of the most amazingly talented young men in the business of show. Brilliant.

[@gwendy42]

And don't forget he starred, sang and wrote songs as Harry Potter in "A Very Potter Musical" (as every Potterhead knows)!

[@InsaneKahuna]

piano bar

[@swise63]

Also a pretty amazing run as Hedwig...

[@CorneelVf]

To be fair, the first time I heard he was playing Hedwig, I was like "So he's playing the owl as well now?!"

[@cards0486]

gwendy42 Thank you for the clarity. I am in NO way interested in, or aware of, anything HARRY POTTER. I had no idea how Darren was connected to it. I’m sure it was a great show,.

[@shedoesntevengohere9700]

cards0486 Darren played HARRY FREAKIN POTTER in the A Very Potter Musical musicals parodies of the Harry Potter books/musicals. He the show along with a few more people. They are very funny and has amazing music. I highly recommend them and any other musicals Team StarKid does.

[@shabnomnom]

it's never not gonna be weird to see mr. "harry freakin' potter" himself on late night shows and stuff wow

[@infinity2306]

Host: Darren Criss from Glee Me (Shouting): FROM STARKID!

[@grumpy_bear]

“Folks, you know my next guest tonight from Glee,” lol, I first knew of Darren as Harry Potter in Starkid’s A Very Potter series

[@beterbutz]

This guy is amazing in the Murder of Gianni Versace. Probably the most talented actor from the new generation I have seen so far.

[@ludwigvanbeethoven8793]

i always felt that every clip containing darren was missing the starkid logo

[@Aswinishere]

Thank you for not asking him Glee questions. Colbert's not like that.

[@gemmarose6675]

Wait he was in glee?

[@andrewtaylor897]

Versatile_llama yea😂 hes the best character in the show

[@annatimberlake7]

That hairgel dunk boy,open gay character,that's this guy

[@mayareads708]

Back to gryffindor hufflepoof ravenclaw SLYTHERIN !

[@rawanthebookworm1536]

Maya Reads Back to the place where the story begins at HOGWARTS HOGWARTS

[@KeAishaReads]

I’M SORRY WHAT’S IT’S NAME?!?!?!

[@jannatulshoilee1443]

@@KeAishaReads HOGWARTS HOGWARTS

[@lucyintheskywithdiamonds9866]

What the hell is a hufflepoof?

[@brvttiiorexxx6804]

@@jannatulshoilee1443 man im glad im back

[@blacksmiley22]

He is so dreamy, could be a disney prince irl

[@dragonsickness4736]

Disney lawyers were just taken out of their crypt.

[@xavierxrc]

Noah Lol. I know, like they have to leave the underworld to prey on human money

[@corinnedejong]

Hey look everybody, it's Harry Freaking Potter!

[@rocketfallen]

am millennial, can confirm losing my shit at the first notes of any disney song

[@TheSpiderman7285]

That's because you have a pavlovian response to the infantile propaganda peddled by one of the largest corporations in the world. They train lifelong consumers. In other words, you got caught up in America's childishness web. You have 72 likes because this response is generic at this point. Go to a dinner party or a get together. You will hear a variation of your comment more than once. Race, class, gender, and sexual orientation seem not to matter in this form of mass indoctrination. Just make sure that people cultishly repeat this line ad naseum. I'm not criticizing your love for Disney products. No. Rather, just showing you how easy you have been manipulated to be a free Disney ad. If it's that easy for Disney, just imagine what entities have you "trained" as well.

[@rocketfallen]

dude you don't need to talk like you're the only guy who understands capitalism exists

[@TheSpiderman7285]

@@rocketfallen That's not what I'm talking about at all. Just go back to being a human commercial. That way you won't have to do the uncomfortable thing and think critically. That's the purpose you'd like to serve. Go for it.

[@briannadayton1081]

I've never cringed harder

[@Gottenhimfella]

where's the harm? Here's the harm: The way corporations make money is by doing things their competition are not yet doing, and the infantilisation of the American population (spreading across the rest of the world) seems an inevitable consequence of a vulnerability of the capitalist system: once a nation has been lifted into moderate affluence, it's increasingly hard to find profitable "low hanging fruit", and as soon as you do, some other corporation tries to steal it. When it's made difficult to make an honest buck, the stark alternatives are ruin vs dishonest practices (and this dishonesty is particularly pernicious when viewed through the lens of actions contrary to society's future prospects). So business interests corner each other into increasingly dodgy re-engineering of the consumer's responses, witness the exploitation of (by sucking shamelessly up to) the teenager, and eventually the child -- starting in the 1950s -- which involved breaking ranks with their parents, who in those days saw their job as being to deliver adults to the world, not passive, self involved addicts to gratification. Perpetual infants are easy to sell to because they have poor impulse control, and buy stuff they don't need with money they haven't earned yet. It may sound as though I'm claiming that the harm is innocent, and I'm not naive enough to believe there are not bastards with evil intent, like the Brothers Koch, but I think that players like that have just sped up a process which was probably inevitable. I guess they are more than proportionately responsible for the takeover of policy by lobbies, and Trump's appointments just make shameless what was already shameful.

[@keikustar]

I can't believe...... there are people who don't know all the words to part of your world...........

[@thorr18BEM]

Look at this stuff; isn't it neat?

[@beeweisberger7957]

I like musicals outside of Hamilton ha! You’re name thingy is hilarious!!!! I, too, like musicals outside of Hamilton!!!

[@yazhini5652]

Harry Potter is hot now

[@bengarrison7046]

Harry Potter seem a little bit white supremacist to me. Where's all of the Muslim, black, and Chinese characters??

[@louisebrown3276]

Ben Garrison oh shush

[@TheSpiderman7285]

@@louisebrown3276 Ben is just trying to get himself and his family killed. nazis like him are only useful as a stain on the floor. Make sure to torture this garbage first so he gives up the other roaches. Also, as a demoralizing tactic make sure you exhume his inbred forefathers. They were supposed to be buried in a pet cemetery. But, just throw them in a landfill and be sure to take a piss on them. It's good for the environment. Nazis only respond to murder. Anything else is a wasted effort

[@sunakonakahara8290]

@@bengarrison7046 Darren is half Filipino. Half asian so, wrong complaint

[@rae_diant]

Man this guy has come so far, bless!

[@cameronconte889]

I feel like I'm the only person who was introduced to Darren through Hedwig. I saw the show for my birthday in May 2015. Then eventually I got to Glee, Gianni Versace, and then the AVPM Series

[@geoffreyfeinberg9792]

He's seems like a nice guy. Looking dapper in that beard.

[@Olga_Efremov]

We are so blessed to have young actors like him - eloquent, smart, with a healthy sense of humour, professional, honest and kind.

[@d.v.crystal5589]

Delightful as always, from the moment he donned those Potter glasses to now!

[@ChannelPaul]

He's the boy who lived!

[@EricNorcross]

Hey it's a Warbler.

[@aestheticbean3768]

Eric Norcross Official he's finally wearing a different blazer 😂

[@ThePapaya26]

It’s so nice to see that Harry Frekin Potter has grown up and gotten himself into showbiz

[@SweetLikeKiwi]

FROM HARRY POTTER TO A GOD DAMN EMMY

[@dcrazypersiancat]

Yes!!!! Finally!!!!! I’m so happy he got a nomination!!! Emmy’s baby!!!

[@mollydallisonhawkins9382]

teenage dream on the piano by darren is the ultimate need in the life

[@bcnmanhattan5022]

Stephen can have any guest and always get the best out of them. That said, I think Darren is a gem.

[@Jah_LEASE_yah]

Darren clearly knew the lyric to Part of Your World like the back of his hand and Colbert only kinda knew parts of it. LOL

[@doublemalfunction5938]

jaylecia davila He sings it at his shows routinely.

[@Jah_LEASE_yah]

Double Malfunction yeah I know. He also had a video posted on his you tube page of him singing it. It’s a ooooold video, pre glee back when he had his Harry freakin potter hair. LOL

[@Benji767]

Darren knows that song but not his own

[@carolynb.9469]

I'm so proud of how far Darren has come

[@jamesanderson348]

He gave an amazing performance in The Assassination of Gianni Versace. I hope he gets an Emmy

[@jannatulshoilee1443]

He got it!

[@GalinDray]

Holy crap. Hes so charming!

[@222jese]

I'm so jealous of how outgoing and easy going he is

[@victoriaaak]

He is delightfully charming.

[@Buenomars]

He is the Music Meister after all...

[@HelgaCavoli]

Buenomars, great combo, commentary + emoji 😂

[@tovolume]

I agree, forget about neil patrick harris, Darren Criss is the Music Meister!

[@Alia-bc3rc]

Darren Criss' singing is friggin awesome! I saw his funk cover of Wonderwall with Scary Pockets. INSANE.

[@zacsbabygirlay]

Alia Ris that’s one of my FAVORITE covers of his 😭😭🙌🏻🙌🏻😍😍😍

[@annagallina1136]

love that cover

[@LeighRoyals]

I know him from Starkid Potter! Never really watched Glee.

[@Benji767]

I highly recommend it, darren is great in it

[@hohohomelander]

Our lil wizard is all grown up

[@peace101zaira]

Its harry freaking potter y'all.

[@leftbehindcrazed84]

he's harry freaking potter!

[@Alterwisher]

Tramp Stamp Grannies lmfao

[@robertsmith5744]

Scamps Tramps and Grannys

[@yoongichi9557]

Like old ladies with a lower back tattoo. Interesting imagery. Either rocknroll or a tad depressing and reminds me of how temporary this life is.

[@biborkabatki6320]

He does his own stunts 😍😍😍

[@Ralalaize]

I love you starkid potter smooch smooch

[@missybarbour6885]

Harry Potter messing up the words to Little Mermaid was specifically formulated to snatch my 90's kid soul personally.

[@JackieBorelli]

"if you win, will you please fall down the stairs?" you're coming for Jennifer Lawrence's brand there, Colbert.

[@thinkgood]

Darren, you’re a legend, man. To us all.

[@c0llapsingst4rs]

omg the way he came out lmao. ITS HARRY FREAKIN POTTER GUYS

[@ulisesrodriguez9469]

Darren is my Disney prince!

[@whereyoubean]

“This Time” was the song that he nominated on Emmy’s. He wrote this song for Glee.

[@leighmalcolmson14]

It’s Harry freakin’ Potter!

[@jamessmithe5490]

Oh man, I always wondered what happened to Glee cast members; always thought Criss was super talented. Good to see him thriving.

[@annatimberlake7]

Darren as you see,Kevin mchale,chord ,Amber are song writing and singing(separate ,not together),jenny won a Tony as a producer for musical,yeah she does some Broadway,Kevin and jenny are holding(or probably in recent past held) a podcast show called showmance where they talk variety of things with glee cast mates. Chris colfer is a famous author for children's books (famously the land of stories)-not starred in movies or sung anything after glee,probably we'll have some projects by him in future,lea went on tours with datren criss(music tour), Naya died while saving her son from drowning in river (I Don't know the name),Mark committed suicide before getting arrest for his crime of possession of children pyrography photos and Cory died from drug overdose

[@annatimberlake7]

*jenny Yeah,Harry schums doing variety of films and a shadowhunter

[@annatimberlake7]

Jenna

[@mattiascrowe2549]

i wanna be g-noted at a piano bar

[@HelgaCavoli]

Mattias Crowe m, as one should.

[@ratsoftheplague]

me, very quietly, as stephen introduces darren: "it's harry freakin' potter~"

[@minni3723]

Before I rob him of his egot 😂

[@missmissy2668]

Very talented guy. He deserves to win. He was amazing

[@charlieblake4434]

Okay but we all know where he got falling off things and rolling on the ground for every line from... *cough* Draco *cough*

[@kristian9955]

Holy crap Harry Potter grew up :o

[@dropUrPeaches]

It’s Harry Freakin’ Potter!

[@user-fo2ou2vx5m]

Pylades Drunk nowps Nowpsm N

[@user-fo2ou2vx5m]

.nowpsm p

[@Chiara-im6wt]

Wow Darren is so talented I was so worried about his fall. I knew it was on purpose but the sound of him hitting the ground 😭

[@tolaoj3308]

I never knew what good chemistry this guys would have together

[@teszness]

YES THIS IS TOTALLY AWESOME.

[@annaburke8537]

One of Darren Criss's first videos on KZbin was a cover of "Part of Your World" I love his old Disney covers!

[@loopkill]

I've been watching Colbert since college. And I've been following Starkid since college. So finding this gem is just... TOTALLY AWESOME!!!

[@Stephh99]

MY BOY’S ALL GROWN UP

[@katharinehe]

So glad he got the beard so the dancing didn't renew my fears

[@SandUnderMyFeet16]

he was sooo good in that series!

[@zoe.jaz__]

7:05 this is a masterpiece 😂😂

[@tacosloot]

The pianist vibing with Darren and communicating through playing tiny parts is just a mood

[@OfficialImos]

Darren is the last person to be asking about lyrics lmaoooo

[@cristianhidalgo5635]

ITS HARRY FREAKING POTTER

[@noellet62able]

I used to really fancy him now I'm just scared of him..honestly he just creeps the shit outa me now ...that's how good of an actor he is

[@taurie55]

He’s amazing and he has come so far and lots of us can’t afford to come to Tramp Stamp Granny’s but we wish we could.

[@TheSabbyjoy]

Part of your world. My favourite Disney song omg. I died.

[@pxtrova]

Ughhh he's insanely charming 😍

[@justfetus]

every Colbert video today had me =| .... this video put a smile on my face.

[@sluttymctits4496]

Man, these two are kindred goofy spirits. ☺️

[@ankejl3830]

He's so dreamy!!!

[@laurenchester7704]

Darren is my life

[@yelb9135]

He’s flipping lush.

[@WateverWatever04]

Good Lord, I love him.

[@sofiaserrano7662]

gorgeous and talented... what a man😍😍

[@zebraqz]

Darren 😍❤

[@manuelluques3433]

Darren take my hand and my whole life too

[@montanarose-sings]

These Starkid comments are sending me lol, but I actually have been to Tramp Stamp Granny's several times and wanted to talk about it a little bit. If you ever have the opportunity to go, DO. It's one of my favorite places in the world. It's a small place, with a full bar, a few booths, and stools around the piano. I usually get there when it opens at 8 and plonk myself onto a stool and stay at the piano until it closes at 2 (most people stand around and dance though lol). The pianists are FABULOUS, especially Laura Wiley. Darren isn't lying either, he's there a lot. He's shown up probably 75% of the times I've gone, and always hops on the piano for a few songs before hanging out in a private booth or outside (and it's a testament to how amazing the place is, because I've literally had to choose between getting to see Darren Criss hang out in the patio and keeping my spot at the piano stool, and I usually choose the piano). And when he gets on the piano, I'm literally less than 2 feet away lmao. Everyone there is so nice and so happy, it's just an absolute joy to be a part of. The bartenders are fun, the pianists are incredible, and I've never seen any drunk drama. They also have themed nights, Queer Cabaret, Disney night where they encourage cosplay, etc. I was lucky enough to win their first singing competition and their second Halloween costume contest (as Ursula), and my my won their first costume contest (as Maleficent). And despite being owned by the Man himself, it's not impossible to get in. It very much feels like a small, intimate piano bar that absolutely does get lit when they play the same songs they play every single time. I adore it, and if you're ever in Southern California, I cannot recommend the place enough. 💕💕