Stephen Colbert: An Unexpected Guest (Pt 1 of 2)

Stephen Colbert - who Peter Jackson called the King of Lord of the Rings nerdom - joins Billy and Dom to talk about how he got into LOTR, working on The Late Show, his passion for science fiction and fantasy, playing Dungeons and Dragons, and more!
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[@thomasjohnson3544]

Stephen: "sorry for the long answer" Me: *absolutely overjoyed to finally get this explanation*

[@cjvink]

I remember seeing a short little documentary / TV report on Colbert's process a few years ago. I would have no idea where to find it now, but if you want to see it go look for it! May have been related to a 92nd street Y thing.

[@wiltarthebarbarian1988]

I had no idea it was so complex or that he put so much work into everything each day. I really like how he shakes the hands and wishes good luck to every member of the crew. That's good leadership.

[@jsullivan2112]

I was honestly hanging on every word.

[@atlasfeynman1039]

Not gonna lie... after 20 mins of process explainer I was lookin to skip to the Lord of the Rings discussion...

[@leftofpunk]

It's super interesting but it really highlights, for all of the late-night hosts, just how critical they all are. The show has their name on it and they're the final decision maker. I can only imagine the incredible pressure there is to get it right, or at least as close to right every day.

[@CemeteryConfessions]

This is why I love Billy and Dom having people on, no other interviewers would ask a full description of Colberts day, and because of that we get super interesting content

[@sarahpowell6617]

They're really good listeners too and let him talk, which some interviewers forget to do!

[@sonablom]

@@sarahpowell6617 exactly! Its not only that they asked but he never felt pressured to stop and truncate his answer. Very interesting

[@NerdoftheRings]

Woohoo! Love hearing Stephen Colbert flex his Tolkien nerd muscles!

[@ronhall5621]

I know, too bad he's not actually funny

[@radagast7200]

@@ronhall5621 Party Men rarely are.

[@one_nation_fanwear]

Pronounced Tolken not Tolkien according to the 👑 of the 💍 nerds. I love how Stephen always pronounces his name incorrectly on purpose. #liquorice 😆 👍

[@gingerbaker_toad696]

They should have him on at least once a month But i am still waiting for the Ian and the Peter episodes 🙏 And then everyone else who worked on lotr

[@tucosalamanca5194]

Nah who cares.. get another lotr actor on

[@jmhaces]

Billy's story about being a kid in an apartment complex in Glasgow and randomly reading the Hobbit along with the kids with whom he used to play football was really cool.

[@HeatherMac320]

Agreed! That was my favorite part of this podcast!! I wish the guys would share more of their own stories!

[@MothGirl007]

So cool! It was like a book club.

[@rmac8378]

He’s from Cranhill in Glasgow which was rough when he was growing up, you can google “cranhill, glasgow” and see where he came from, working class upbringing

[@tlidd]

I loved hearing about Dom’s encounter with Andy Serkis as well :)

[@Richard_Nickerson]

I'm actually very thankful for how long and detailed a response Colbert gave about the show. I actually anticipated a much more watered down and practiced answer that barely actually answered the question, but was actually delighted to get so much specific information.

[@meganofsherwood3665]

Yes! Same! That was fascinating - I had no idea!

[@Richard_Nickerson]

@@meganofsherwood3665 I've always been curious how they manage shows like his.

[@TSIRKLAND]

And so personal, too! I didn't know that sometimes he has to staple the audience to his nut sack to drag them across the finish line of the monologue! Quite the sacrifice, that, I can only imagine. A real trooper, Stephen Colbert. I salute you, and your incredibly durable nut sack.

[@cristinfarley903]

I feel it reflects that he feels comfortable and respected on this podcast- it’s so lovely to see between people. He’s invested, they’re invested, genuinely. It’s so good.

[@ryankelly2134]

The greatest friendship in history these guys have. They met as work colleagues and after all this time the best of friends, most work colleagues would never keep in touch and would not consider each other friends, you guys are an inspiration!

[@johnstajduhar9617]

That trilogy had the perfect cast, it's so heartwarming to see how well they still get along and keep in touch 20 years later. Nothing else like it in the film business.

[@darthrevan-]

I'm loving this podcast I'm waiting for ian mckellen, Orlando bloom or sean bean

[@tonyajm8289]

What about peter jackson! That would be insane!

[@Richard_Nickerson]

Sean Bean, Viggo Mortensen, Peter Jackson, and Ian McKellen would be truly awesome.

[@amberanime]

Any cast member/behind the scenes people and Peter Jackson and I'm happy every time.

[@oOBubbleStreamOo]

Yes please, and please also invite Andy Serkis (talking about his mountaineering and stuff), Sean Astin (talking about directing helicopters into land and stuff. Btw loved his little movie "the long and the short of it" and the Making-Of-Special on one of the LOTR-DVDs), Viggo Mortensen (talking about horses), David Wenham (I had a crush on movie-Faramir) and the Orks and...well everyone

[@jbearclowater]

@@oOBubbleStreamOo After that story about Dom meeting Andy for the first time outside a theatre, we need to get Andy Serkis on here!!!

[@the_dancerjen1773]

Dom's story of being a young aspiring actor and asking another actor for advice and that actor being Andy Serkis actually gave me goosebumps and the warm fuzzies! Amazing!

[@shannonrichards6980]

I love how happy Stephen gets when Dominic says that his mom ended up loving the books. The biggest smile that someone else loved something he loves.

[@kristinholland06]

When they said they were surprised Stephen Colbert came on the show I told my sister, ‘I’m not sure why they were surprised. I think Stephen would sacrifice his first born to talk to someone from the LOTR cast or anything in regards to LOTR.’ Lol

[@wiltarthebarbarian1988]

Have you seen the episode of his show where he had Liv Tyler on? She reenacted the scene where Arwen saves Frodo and Colbert basically had his head in her lap as she recited the lines - in elvish and from memory! - while holding her sword that she brought from home! I thought he was going to die from sheer joy.

[@kristinholland06]

I did see it! Lol it was amazing!

[@wiltarthebarbarian1988]

@@kristinholland06 I also love that he had a small role in The Hobbit...even though I was really disappointed overall by those films. Felt like they missed the heart and soul of the story in exchange for fancy special effects and stunts. :(

[@kristinholland06]

@@wiltarthebarbarian1988 I am completely with you. I’ve watched the LOTR trilogy dozens of times, ended up reading the trilogy half a dozen times, and have researched and spent an enormous amount of time watching and rewatching behind the scenes, special interviews, book and film trivia, because I loved it so much, and it was so masterfully done. It felt magical, and if perfection in film were carried out, the LOTR trilogy embodied that very thing. I was so disappointed by the hobbit trilogy that I didn’t even have the heart to finish the last movie. The CGI definitely threw things off for me too, it was overused to the point that it took me out of that world and the story. And for the fantasy genre, when it’s not done with a light and caring hand, I feel it often becomes a mess. I felt the same way with the characters in the hobbit lacking that incredible heart, soul and spark that utterly defined the LOTR trilogy.

[@wiltarthebarbarian1988]

@@kristinholland06 Couldn't agree more! The LOTR Trilogy is absolutely incredible, a feat of cinematic brilliance that was such an incredible accomplishment and sent ripples through the industry. From the actors, directors, the studio execs who believed in the idea, and the thousands of people that worked so hard to bring it to life, it's just an amazing thing. Then there are the especially gifted people at WETA Workshop who crafted all of those weapons, suits of armor, costumes, sets, miniatures, and brought the world to life. Then The Hobbit focused on new tech and fancy cameras and made every character larger than life, a series of literally unbelievable action sequences that included falling hundreds of feet down a mineshaft and surfing on a river of molten gold, things that NEVER happened in the book. The Hobbit is a beautiful, compact story that begins with a fairly boring, uncomplicated country hobbit just enjoying his life, then being sent off on an adventure with a bunch of homeless dwarfs who are in no way heroic, apart from a couple of them. The movie made it an epic, like they were trying to outdo LOTR, which is such a bigger story. It's honestly the most disappointing film series I've ever seen. It is a story that I love so much that I can practically recite the opening chapter (because it is amazing and describes Bilbo's home and sounds like heaven to me), and I knew something was wrong when they even changed the opening lines. And now, I think I need to rewatch the LOTR trilogy again. Thanks for the chat! Nice to have positive experiences on KZbin every now and then lol 😂

[@elizaheathen]

*why am I tearing up at Billy's story of the boys creating a makeshift Hobbit book club* "Can you believe the dragon came last night?!" literature is such a powerful thing

[@dougmackenzie5976]

When my son, Ian, was about two years old, he called the overweight wheels on a truck "case wheels". I asked why he called them that. He said, "They're in case they need them", and I was floored. These days, he's studying neuro-biology in college. -Love your podcast, fellas!

[@bananafish58]

Stephen's in-depth breakdown of how he, the writers, and other staff create the Late Night monologue was super cool.

[@jenniferneil8455]

Stephen's description of how his show is produced was absolutely FASCINATING!

[@Dani-rz8dj]

Stephen lit up so much when conversation turned to LOTR. There’s nothing better!! He’s such a cute Stan

[@bobwade9530]

Speaking of Dungeons and Dragons, it would be incredible to see you guys (and some others (it'd be incredible if you could even get other members of the fellowship!!)) record you playing a session of D&D!! Tolkien is basically the father of D&D (and the rest of the modern fantasy genre), and I would just love to see the ACTUAL fellowship forming their own fellowship to play D&D.

[@BlazeDupree1525]

Someone go tweet this to Matt Mercer lol

[@vadecoriffs2327]

@@BlazeDupree1525 Hell yes! Critter Legion, let's do this!!

[@blazer2123]

That would be amazing, to have Matt DM a Critical Role game with the Fellowship and Stephen, or even with Stephen guest starring on a proper episode of Campaign 3. Critters I summon thee. Commit this to the moon!

[@RobertMcGovernTarasis]

@@BlazeDupree1525 indeed! Also hoping Stephen will be a voice in the Vox cartoon

[@meganofsherwood3665]

I would pay so much to see Dom, Billy, and _Stephen_ in a campaign together!

[@tinuviel42]

Hearing that Dom has played D&D as recently as this last year, *and* that he played a halfling, made me unreasonably happy

[@meganofsherwood3665]

Same!!! Also, "Halfling Monk" fits him so perfectly I can't even XD

[@user-pe1lr4lb5o]

The book Billy talks about seems to be Arthur Clarke's 'Rendezvous with Rama'. Also one of my all time fav scifi

[@meganofsherwood3665]

Now I'm gonna have to look it up

[@gengarkirie3478]

Yes! I came here to say that! The first book is amazing, the second is incredibly subpar...

[@kirkschmitz6511]

I was thinking that may be the book as well. However, is it possibly “Pushing Ice” by Alastair Reynolds?

[@aeka0snape]

Thank you!

[@user-pe1lr4lb5o]

@@meganofsherwood3665 highly recommend it. For me it was on the same level as, say, Robots/Foundation series by Asimov or Hainish Cycle by Le Guin. A masterpiece!

[@alexisjenkins8033]

Let me finish that thought properly for you, Stephen. “As much as Apollo is an ideal for the Greeks, Aragorn is that for…the geeks!”

[@InineV]

Oh my word It's perfect

[@ShivavihS]

🤣 perfect.. Stephen missed out

[@brianspenst1374]

I had the same exact thought.

[@sharonjames4813]

yes

[@andrewthomas891]

well done indeed

[@samuellascari8056]

The book Colbert referenced was Orphans of the Sky a Novella with two parts: 'Universe' and its sequel 'Common sense'

[@josephowens2404]

Amazing thanks, came looking through the comments just for this

[@Jamnexec]

Yes, thank you for this

[@frankieschulte3609]

Thank you

[@CleanCT-]

thank youuuu

[@naylas3908]

Thank you!

[@matheusavila2688]

that Andy Serkis story was so wholesome :)

[@kimberlyvb2332]

Never heard a bad thing about him.

[@Tinaf653]

@@kimberlyvb2332 I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Andy, I can add that he really is a brilliant guy! 😊

[@ccreasman]

Exact same feeling of sadness at the end of LOTR. Longing, wistfulness and want to just go live there.

[@ellenkirby8366]

My face hurts from smiling through this entire episode. So good.

[@JenniferNeedsAHandle]

I loved hearing about how they first read Tolkien. Completely agree with Stephen about Aragorn - he's the perfect man. I had such a crush on him when I read the books, then I was just head-over-heels in love when they cast Viggo Mortensen

[@marindaw8647]

Aragorn & Arwen's love story, portrayed in the movie, told shortly of in the appendices, is my favourite of all time. Beautiful, yet sad.

[@atlasfeynman1039]

@@marindaw8647 Agree. However, was it in the appendices? I thought Arwen was a dude in the books...?

[@mjhmon96]

I have always struggled with coming up with a third for the question "who would you have at a dinner party, dead or alive." Easily fixed now, I feel like Stephen and I could talk for hours about sci fi, fantasy and LOTR. So much respect garnered for this man from this podcast alone.

[@drix4275]

38:33 "He gave me Lord of The Rings." That is how I started reading; a very good friend of mine gave me Dan Brown's "Angels and Demons" as a birthday gift, and I became interested in reading, and when I came upon The Silmarillion I just fell in love with Tolkien's world. ^o^

[@Hobbitdoreen]

Andy Serkis is one of the most lovable, caring person I ever met and I’ll never forget how kind he was to me. A Ringer forever….♥️

[@cobrawoodworks7686]

Y'all should pitch to Mr. Colbert to have his team create a documentary of everything he spoke about in this episode then during the breaks he takes throughout the year, runs the documentary in segments. His story of the behind the scenes of late night is fascinating!

[@wiltarthebarbarian1988]

I always knew those shows required a great deal of work, but I had no idea just how much or how FAST they have to be with their writing. To have changes during the final rehearsal and up to the opening of the show is wild to me and speaks volumes about the talent of Colbert and the dozens of people who make the show possible. I also like that he personally thanks and encourages everyone in the show. That's really cool and excellent leadership. People may whine about his politics, but his work ethic is unquestionable.

[@thebrightest1230]

Yesss Mr Colbert and co, please do this!!!

[@lynnhettrick7588]

As a Minnesota native, yes, you are correct. We don't want to hurt your feelings and say "no" but we don't really want to do the thing you asked us to do. Saying "no" was one of the hardest things I've had to learn!

[@ryanrobinson5638]

"That's nice" is just Minnesotan for "that was really dumb. And I disagree". See, We don't always say yes!

[@ryanrobinson5638]

(And yes, I know I'm posting on something 2 years old, but I just discovered it now, so....... deal with my Minnesotan excitement for just begin involved, hah)

[@buffyVampslyr364]

I honestly don't mind listening to Stephen talk about the details of the late show..😅 the weirdest thing about this for me was hearing Stephen swear without being bleeped..😂

[@playermartin286]

it was boring

[@almashinmon5604]

Same

[@wiltarthebarbarian1988]

@@playermartin286 Far more interesting than your day, I'm sure. Most found it fascinating. Sorry if you're easily bored by hard work and the creativity required to make a wildly popular television program.

[@samuelbostwick382]

Stephen Colbert needs to be a regular guest and the segment should be called Talkin Tolkien with Stephen. THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE MUST!!!!

[@PhantasyMugen]

Dom and Bills remind me of a younger version of Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart. It's so heartwarming.

[@kaitlinmurphy5033]

"Orphans of the Sky" is a science fiction novel by American writer Robert A. Heinlein, consisting of two parts: "Universe" (Astounding Science Fiction, May 1941) and its sequel, "Common Sense" (Astounding Science Fiction, October 1941). This is the book Stephen was talking about. Enjoy!

[@meganofsherwood3665]

Thank you!!

[@irishelk3]

I wish Christopher Lee was still around. He shot a movie years ago across from my dads house in Dublin, my grandmother made them all tea and sandwiches. The face of fu manchu.

[@LindaC616]

Aw! My ex mother in law told us they were filming across the street from the house, an actor came in for a glass of water. Then asked us if we knew who Robert Redford was! 🤣🤣

[@MsMelyjean]

I never knew that the Late Show process was so involved. It seems so polished and fluid. Not practiced and stuffy. Truly fascinating.

[@RiqCrow]

I loved Lord of the Rings books, loved the passion and loyalty the movie was made with, and I love the cast in it, now and forever. such dedication and genuine fellowship.

[@selfhelpgroup8750]

19:02, 20:56, 32:10 First time I've heard Colbert dropping F-bombs without being beeped. Thank you, Friendship Onion for this important broadcasting breakthrough.

[@vj.xoxoxo]

I'd never though I will be hooked to this podcast until experiencing its first few episodes, I started watching about three weeks worth of media in one afternoon, not complaining though. Now I am addicted! I cannot resist it! I cannot run! It comes back! This is my precious!

[@scottanastasi2527]

The first 15 mins: This is an AMAZING peel back of the curtain. I feel that this is very important to know as a consumer.

[@crossatlanticsports1377]

Ah yes my favourite episode of the Friendship Onion - TFO Ep16 FINAL EXPORT

[@jmwalls73]

Stephen Colbert has won a fan for life...His nerddom and mine are sympatico...

[@Richard_Nickerson]

I found Tolkien at around the same age. I was in middle school for each theatrical release. In 6th grade, a friend was reading Fellowship of the Ring in class, and I asked him what the strange language on the cover was, he briefly explained Elvish and the One Ring, he told me there was a book to read first with a dragon in it, so I was in. He probably knew the movie was coming out, but I didn't at the time, so I missed FotR in theaters. I found a copy of The Hobbit in the school library with an awesome portrait of Smaug on the cover, and I was actually really dubious about the book until Smaug actually showed up. I reread it with more enthusiasm, and then my father told me about the movies and bought me a copy of Fellowship. I sped through the beginning, got to the Old Forest, and Tom Bombadil stopped me in my tracks. Unpopular opinion: Tom Bombadil is the WORST. I put the book down for months. My 7th grade English teacher, the next year of school with only a few months before the theatrical release of The Two Towers, was the one who inspired me to power through. I started over from the beginning and, having seen the movie already, powered through all the Tom Bombadil BS, got to the Council of Elrond, and I was completely entranced from there. Like Billy and Colbert both say, I can remember the very room I was in. I stayed up way too late every night just flying through the books. I finished FotR and started TTT before the 2nd movie came out over winter break in 7th grade, but I hadn't finished TTT yet. But I did get all the way through RotK before it was released in theaters. And that is an experience I'll also never forget. It was probably the first time I cried at a movie in public, and probably the first time a movie made me cry since I was little... "you bow to no one" + that musical swell = ugly crying to this day. I'll also never forget the couple in their 20s sitting behind my family and the woman relentlessly mocking the man over his irrational spider fear. I read The Hobbit & LotR annually for over a decade starting in high school. I added The Silmarillion to my annual reading after I finally got through it years later. I think The Silmarillion is my favorite overall, but LotR will always be extra special to me. I even have that strange language that initially made me go WTF tattooed on my arm now. (Edited to format for easier reading)

[@GrumpaBaggins]

Wow! Loved learning about Dom's first meeting with Andy Serkis, and how Stephen, Dom, & Billy were exposed to the beautiful world of Tolkien.

[@auntvesuvi3872]

Thanks, Dominic! Thanks, Billy! Thanks, Stephen! 🧅

[@heatherpedersen8209]

I'm waiting for Stephen to release his own Tolkien Encyclopedia.

[@utube9487]

You 2 have to go back to New Zealand and just do a walkabout tour of the place, meet some old friends etc. A 3 part series.

[@WDeranged]

I'd watch it.

[@Buttsmoker]

That would be fantastic

[@libertyjustice2654]

Omg thisss!!! 😮😮😍😍

[@karenglenn2329]

Some of us could tag along.

[@nathanadler8316]

Only snag is our border's still closed due to covid, so they'd be facing a two week quarantine on arrival.

[@chadguevara8284]

You need to do an online DnD session with Colbert and some other folks (Elijah?). Please, the world needs this

[@meganofsherwood3665]

Please, please, PLEASE!

[@domestic.adventure]

'Rendezvous with Rama' by Arthur C Clarke I think this is the book Billy is trying to describe.

[@almashinmon5604]

I looked through the comments looking for this. Thank you.

[@mdoc920]

I agree, that was the first thing that popped into my mind with his description.

[@cristinfarley903]

I love rewatching this one- I mean, all their podcasts are great- but the shared enthusiasm between them all, and then just how genuinely into and engaged Stephen gets in answering questions and discussing all topics (his show, LOTR, boos, music) really is lovely.

[@pablosechslingloff5687]

The feeling Dom had when finishing reading the book is so familiar. I love this podcast, congrats!

[@malegg89]

Loved it when Colbert is explaining their process of getting a show together, and you hard dom mutter his breath, "you got a grown up in the white house now" haha

[@radagast7200]

You mean a dementia patent...

[@karlkarlos3545]

@@radagast7200 No, that was the orange moron. Oh, I mean "person, woman, man, camera, tv"

[@TheTabaK23]

@@radagast7200 Cause trump definitely has all his mental faculties. 🙄Please

[@radagast7200]

@@TheTabaK23 didn't the Potato just try to tell people that printing more trillions was going to stop bidenflation? Not sure you guys have any balls in your court at the moment... you propped up a senile old puppet because you couldn't stop listening to propaganda. I bet you fell for the 'fine people' hoax, am I right? And you are probably still a "Cuomo-sexual" even after the AG just said he was guilty.

[@TheTabaK23]

@@radagast7200 nice try I’m not a liberal. Biden sucks but I’m not dumb enough to think trump is good in any way.

[@christianaguilar7201]

That Simon & Garfunkel beginning was too damn perfect!!😂❤️🙏🤘

[@ChristianAVS]

Loved that story about Dom and Andy Serkis

[@sharbean]

Highly recommend The Tolkien Professor, Dr. Corey Olsen, as a guest.

[@kurenaiXD]

I just wanted to say that I really love Simon and Garfunkel and I've stared at that cover hundreds of times and I HAVE NEVER NOTICED THAT BRILLIANT THING BEFORE LOL Totally tried at home and it was very funny (really long mustache indeed hahaha)!!!! Love the podcast guys!

[@Matazuma]

Colbert's full day seems like an incredible amount of work never knew all of the backstage working that it takes to produce the show I was stunned hearing him describe it

[@TheIdahogrl]

I absolutely...LOVE THIS. Well done Dom & Billy for getting Stephen Colbert for doing your podcast. He is fantastic! As is your podcast. Keep it up gentlemen. Love your podcasts.

[@jessicawszalek1872]

I’m sure someone else has commented, but the book/series Billy is trying to think of is Rendezvous with Rama.

[@waltzingaranel]

I was looking for this comment! *high five* Interesting book!

[@cjcgaming7265]

Thank you! The way he described it made me want to read it and thanks to you I can. :)

[@jessicawszalek1872]

@@waltzingaranel One of my favorites!! 👍🏻

[@jessicawszalek1872]

@@cjcgaming7265 Oh great! You’re welcome! There’s a series of them, but definitely read Rendezvous first!

[@barbarasmith2693]

Profane unbleeped Colbert! Talking to Billy and Dom? I am HERE for it.

[@GeekFurious]

This is like listening to their audio commentary on the LOTR Extended Edition. At some point, someone mentions liking green eggs and ham.

[@BlazeDupree1525]

Green eggs and ham are good but blue food is where it's at

[@gabehuizenga1600]

@@BlazeDupree1525 Is that a Percy Jackson reference?? If so I applaud you! (if not, I'm sure you're still cool- just hoping I understood the reference haha)

[@BlazeDupree1525]

@@gabehuizenga1600 lol yeah it is. Percy Jackson is my jam

[@gugaquintella]

I had the same reaction as Billy when starting to read the Lord of the Rings and the same reaction as Dom when finishing it. Also, I also met by chance Andy Serkis outside a theather!

[@atlasfeynman1039]

That was "Andy's Circus"

[@kurtsiecolferites2160]

I love Stephen letting his LOTR nerdiness shine through. It was fun to learn more details about how he runs his talk show as well. Great episode! Looking forward to part 2!

[@JeM130177]

This was so fun!! Love hearing Stephen chat! Especially when he started going on about the sci-fi thing you could tell he was super into it! Love watching people nerd out on things they love. Also absolutely loved Billy's story about him and his footie mates reading the Hobbit that's so sweet!! What a special time.

[@Marmeladka38]

Guys, you are fantastic, the episode is really good, thank you for inviting Stephen in. Loved hearing about his show even though the answer was long:D love how he was captivated by LOTR in his childhood, couldn't breathe for the whole page. That book he recommended to Billy sounds quite interesting, the word "fantabulous" and the compliment "you are fantabulous" are my new favourite things. Oh, and also I'm glad Stephen loves Aragorn so much. Billy's story about The Hobbit is wonderful

[@superkaboose1066]

Love the roundabout way Dom met Andy years earlier, small world moment

[@gandalftehdank6052]

I swear even the ads are a joy to watch when it's done by Merry and Pippin! Never skip them lol

[@lizzcamposfrost]

Revisiting this episode, and it's such a great interview with Colbert. Love the talk about Tolkien and D&D. Unlike Stephen, I was alone in my pursuit of reading The Hobbit and LOTR, but it took me until I was in my late 20's to discover D&D. I'm now a DM of 2 games and I love it! Will have to check out doing come sci-fi TTRPG on the next campaign.

[@stormbard]

I would like for Stephen to go through more of his dnd history, we’ve only ever gotten snippets, even counting his session with Mercer.

[@alilbitofawesomeness]

You have no idea how excited I got seeing Stephen as a guest! This podcast makes me so happy!

[@lavane26]

I love the dynamic between these two. How do they have such great chemistry???

[@sarahbuchholz8767]

As a Minnesotan I just want to point out that Minnesota Nice is just being passive aggressive.

[@paullazaro6920]

I did the Simon and Garfunkel "Bridge Over Troubled Water" album cover trick... and it worked. They're good. Very good.

[@cristalyse123]

Anyone else just become 100% more impressed with Stephen Colbert? Love that man! Damn, talk about a freakin busy work day.

[@danieladiazagurto8599]

the best thing about this podcast is that it doesn't even start and I'm already hitting the like button, because I know it's gonna be good!

[@BiGPiSH]

Stephen Colbert is a fkn legend! How someone can keep a schedule like that and remain so positive is astounding. I'm nerding out on this pod lol

[@napattack24]

All three gentlemen are such pure examples of healthy masculinity!

[@tucosalamanca5194]

I wouldn't say masculinity. They are a bunch of betas not alphas

[@napattack24]

@@tucosalamanca5194 An alpha is someone who leads and takes care of their group. They do exactly that.

[@tucosalamanca5194]

@@napattack24 there is more alpha in pototo than in any of these 3

[@usern4metak3ns]

@@tucosalamanca5194 a dude determines whether or not he wants to be alpha. Not you.

[@tucosalamanca5194]

@@usern4metak3ns don't be so stupid you can't decide whether your alpha male you either aren't are are... I'm more masculine than these 3 combined and I don't class myself as an alpha male. You haven't spent enough time in the company of tough men

[@Metallichick20]

Look up Beecake - Bridge Over Troubled Water on KZbin if you want to see Billy sing an absolutely gorgeous version of the song!!

[@fettfan91]

Legendary guest! Stephen Colbert is always a treat no matter where you see him.

[@chrisandersen5635]

The lyricist Neil Peart from the band was an avid reader, and many of his songs were based on books. The last song on the last album by Rush is called The Garden. It exactly fits in with the end of Lord of the Rings. The broader sense of what it means to tend a garden, to mind your loved ones. It’s not all fame and adventure at the end. It’s just living and appreciating. It’s why the books are so timeless. I read them first at ten. Now I’m fifty, and the books speak to me in a different way.

[@chrisandersen5635]

The band Rush. KZbin why can’t I edit my post on my phone 30 seconds after wrote it?

[@papamoon12392]

The harmony these guys have is such a joy to watch

[@SpacepoetYT]

if we dont get some D&D with Billy, Dom, Stephen, and some their Rings casts members, I will riot

[@lauraslade5308]

Fantabulous is a great word! I remember discovering the word 'snoozled' in Wuthering Heights and was immensely happy that it existed back then :D

[@aliens4143]

Colbert is giving his all for you here, all the information he has. No doubt that was his deliberate present to you.

[@lafilleindigo]

Stephen Colbert dropping unbleeped f bombs like it's wartime is my new favorite thing and I want more

[@agnisumant]

I love Stephen Colbert geeking out on Tolkien and Science Fiction uwu

[@kristinnelson-patel442]

I have all new respect for what it takes to pull off a late night show now.

[@karenglenn2329]

I keep looking at the facial expressions Billy has. He looks like Stan Laurel. Laurel lived in Glasgow although he was born in the UK. Young people are saying Stan who?

[@karenglenn2329]

@Cope Bestie Thank you. As someone from the USA l did not know if one say England. So the Yankee did the best she could. I love this pod cast so much ❤. Stan's father moved the family From England to Scotland. His father managed the Metropole Theatre in Glasgow. Stan was born 1890.

[@TaliPolk]

I loved Stephen's explanation of the break down. Reminded me of my old days in film school, putting together the break down for our campus new channel. It was so fun. Actually, him talking about it made me want to get back into that work.

[@carsonwieker]

Loved it. For some reason I particularly enjoyed hearing about how Dom convinced his mom to read the first 100 pages of LOTR and she ended up loving it. Cheers guys.

[@saintsataniko2116]

Colbert always makes me so proud to be a fellow Charlestonian (although I have no idea where he saw people in bowties). I think he grew up on James Island while I was across the city on another island, but I wish I had met him back then. We were getting into all the same stuff around the same time, including LoTR. I never got into D&D but my best friend was deep into it.

[@KizunaEno]

Stephen is my favorite late night host!! He is always so wonderful and intelligent to listen to.

[@joshmyoutube]

Each story told had an arc and a nice ending, great podcast and guest.

[@alessaleeebon3628]

I love hearing about their stories on how they got into Tolkien! And it's nice to learn about Stephen's show.

[@buffyrulz224]

Thank you Billy and Dominic! You both give me something to look forward to every Tuesday 😊

[@charissascrazy242]

Y’all should try Natto, it’s a Japanese side dish made from fermented soybeans. Even most who grow up eating it agree that it’s not for everyone. You eat it with rice usually, and you have to whip it up with chopsticks until it gets nice and stringy.

[@purefoldnz3070]

I originally read LOTR while traveling across New Zealand on a road trip as a kid. Driving past these waterfalls and mountains thinking well if they ever made a film of this book....

[@roddammit5510]

Love you giving us the chance to get to know Stephen Colbert. Really get to know him. Thanks guys.

[@taterboob]

I absolutely despise Colbert’s state propaganda masquerading as a talk show, but he was funny when he was doing a Bill O’Reilly parody on Comedy Central, and I appreciate the guy’s love for Tolkien. I will always love his interview with Smaug on the Colbert Report.

[@FartingFighter]

I had never hear the intro song before this podcast, but every time I hear it now it brightens up my day. love the podcast boys and if you ever want to play a game of league hit me up.

[@bookworm1256]

Seeing the new episode posted is always one of the highlights of my week. The guys never fail to make me laugh 😊