>> THE LEGENDARY BRITISH ARTIST SIR IAN MCKELLEN IS AMONG THE
LATEST TO RECEIVE THE ANTI-CORONAVIRUS VACCINE IN THE
U.K.
THE STAR WHO IS 81 IS KNOWN FOR BOTH THEATER AND FILM ROLES
INCLUDING BLOCKBUSTER MOVIES SUCH AS "X-MEN", "THE HOBBIT"
AND THE "LORD OF THE RINGS" FRANCHISE.
>> I AM FEELING SO HAPPY AND RELIEVED AND OPTIMISTIC AND
EVERYTHING THAT I HAVEN'T BEEN REALLY FEELING FOR A LONG TIME
NOW.
I COULDN'T BE HAPPIER.
>> YOU CANNOT PASS!
I AM A SERVANT OF THE SECRET FAUCI.
WIELDER OF THE VACCINE OF PFIZER!
THE DARK SICKNESS WILL NOT AVAIL YOU!
VIRUS OF CORONA!
ARRRRRG!
YOU SHALL NOT INFECT!
>> FINE!
I'LL JUST GO TO THE WHITE HOUSE CHRISTMAS PARTY!
>> Announcer: IT'S "A LATE SHOW" WITH STEPHEN COLBERT!
TONIGHT, THE JOE MUST GO ON!
PLUS STEPHEN WELCOMES PRESIDENT-ELECT BIDEN AND
DR. BIDEN!
PLUS A SPECIAL PERFORMANCE BY JON BATISTE.
AND NOW LIVE ON TAPE FROM OUR FIELD TRIP TO WILMINGTON,
DELAWARE, IT'S STEPHEN COLBERT!
>> Stephen: HEY, EVERYBODY!
WELCOME TO A "LATE SHOW."
I AM YOUR HOST STEPHEN COLBERT.
YOU MAY NOTICE THAT I'M NOT WHERE I NORMALLY AM... WHEN I'M
NORMALLY NOT AT THE OTHER PLACE... WHERE I NORMALLY AM.
I'M TWICE-REMOVED FROM NORMAL.
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS DELAWARE.
IF YOU DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT DELAWARE, I'LL GIVE YOU A QUICK
A LESSON IN OUR ONE-TIME SEGMENT, "BETTER KNOW A
DELAWARE: RAISING YOUR DELAWARENESS."
FUN FACT: PEOPLE FROM DELAWARE ARE OFTEN REFERRED TO AS "BLUE
HENS," WHICH IS WEIRD BECAUSE THE STATE BIRD IS ACTUALLY A
HIGHWAY REST STOP.
AND THAT'S ABOUT IT.
SO NOW YOU KNOW DELA-WHERE, BUT YOU MIGHT BE ASKING, "DELA-WHY?"
I'M HERE TO DO THE FIRST POST-ELECTION JOINT INTERVIEW
WITH PRESIDENT-ELECT JOSEPH R.
BIDEN AND THE NEXT FIRST LADY, DR.
JILL BIDEN.
PLUS, WHO PASSES UP A TRIP TO WILMINGTON?
THERE'S A REASON THEY CALL THIS TOWN "THRILLMINGTON."
AND I'M BEING TOLD THEY DO NOT CALL IT THAT.
THAT INTERVIEW IS MOMENTS AWAY, BUT FIRST:
THERE'S GOOD PANDEMIC NEWS!
PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE STARTED GETTING THE PFIZER
VACCINE, AND THIS WEEK, HOSPITALS DISCOVERED A SURPRISE
IN THEIR VACCINE DELIVERIES: EXTRA DOSES.
THE VACCINE STRETCHES FURTHER THAN WE THOUGHT!
IT'S A HANUKKAH MIRACLE!
LET'S CELEBRATE BY EATING FRIED POTATOES, WHICH I BELIEVE
AMERICANS DO EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR ANYWAY.
HERE'S THE DEAL: PHARMACISTS HAVE FOUND THAT WHEN THEY USED
GLASS VIALS THAT WERE SUPPOSED TO CONTAIN FIVE DOSES,
SOMETIMES, THEY CAN SQUEEZE OUT AN ADDITIONAL DOSE.
IT'S LIKE THAT FEELING WHEN YOU THINK YOU FINISHED THE FRENCH
FRIES, THEN YOU GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THE BAG, AND YOU FIND
THOSE LITTLE EXTRA CRUNCHY BITS.
BUT IMAGINE IF THOSE FRENCH FRIES PREVENTED DISEASE.
AGAIN, WE EAT A LOT OF FRIED POTATOES IN AMERICA.
AND WE'RE GOING TO NEED THAT EXTRA VACCINE, BECAUSE THE WHITE
HOUSE IS STICKING WITH ITS PANDEMIC PLAN OF "NOT HAVING A
PLAN."
YESTERDAY, WE LEARNED OF EMAILS FROM ONE OF THE PRESIDENT'S TOP
HEALTH APPOINTEES, FORMER H.H.S.
SCIENCE ADVISOR PAUL ALEXANDER.
NORMALLY, I WOULD SHOW A PICTURE OF HIM, AND DO A JOKE, BUT-- AND
THIS IS TRUE-- WE COULD FIND NO IMAGE OF HIM ON THE INTERNET.
HE MIGHT HAVE ERASED THEM ALL, AND YOU'RE ABOUT TO FIND OUT
WHY.
BECAUSE THIS SUMMER, ALEXANDER URGED TOP HEALTH OFFICIALS TO
ADOPT A "HERD IMMUNITY" APPROACH TO COVID-19 AND ALLOW MILLIONS
OF AMERICANS TO BE INFECTED BY THE VIRUS, THEREBY CHANGING THE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, TO THE DEPARTMENT OF
HELL AND HUMAN SACRIFICE.
BECAUSE HERE'S THE THING ABOUT PAUL ALEXANDER'S STRATEGY.
IT WOULD REQUIRE ALMOST THREE MILLION DEATHS TO REACH HERD
IMMUNITY.
IF YOUR PLAN TO SAVE HUMANITY INVOLVES KILLING MILLIONS OF
PEOPLE, YOU'RE NOT A HEALTH ADVISER, YOU'RE A MARVEL
VILLAIN.
SO, CLEARLY, IT'S MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER THAT WE GET TO THE
INAUGURATION OF ONE OF MY GUESTS TONIGHT, JOE BIDEN.
IN THE FACE OF THE COVID RAGING, THE PRESIDENT-ELECT IS ASKING
AMERICANS TO STAY HOME.
IF ENOUGH PEOPLE DO THE RIGHT THING, HIS INAUGURATION COULD
END UP LOOKING A LOT LIKE THE LAST ONE.
NOW, NORMALLY, INAUGURATIONS ARE FUNDRAISING CASH COWS.
SUPPORTERS ARE WILLING TO SHELL OUT BIG BUCKS FOR A PICTURE WITH
THE NEW PRESIDENT.
BUT THIS YEAR, THAT CAN'T HAPPEN.
SO, INSTEAD, TOP CONTRIBUTORS WILL GET "VIRTUAL SIGNED PHOTOS"
WITH THE PRESIDENT-ELECT AND THE FIRST LADY.
OKAY.
BUT THEY DO REALIZE THAT ANYONE WITH A COMPUTER CAN GET A
VIRTUAL SIGNED PHOTO OF THEMSELVES WITH THE PRESIDENT.
ANY PRESIDENT.
CHECK OUT THIS PHOTO OF ME WITH MARTIN VAN BUREN.
AND DID HE SIGN IT?
YOU BET.
"STEPHEN, LOVED YOUR INTERVIEW WITH CHANCE THE RAPPER.
YOU CAN'T FAKE CHEMISTRY.
COWABUNGA, M.V.B."
MEANWHILE, THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION IS SWAMPED WITH A
MAD SCRAMBLE FOR PARDONS.
ACCORDING TO ONE INSIDER, "IT'S TURNED CRAZY."
"TURNED" CRAZY?
THIS IS THE PRESIDENT WHO ADVISED PEOPLE TO INJECT BLEACH,
SAID THAT A DEAD VENEZUELAN LEADER STOLE THE ELECTION,
WANTED TO TRADE PUERTO RICO FOR GREENLAND, AND STOP A HURRICANE
WITH A NUCLEAR BOMB.
WE'VE MADE THE TURN TO CRAZYTOWN A LONG TIME AGO.
NOW WE'RE JUST DOING DONUTS IN CUCKOO CANYON.
THE ADMINISTRATION HAS LARGELY IGNORED ANY ESTABLISHED PROCESS,
SO PEOPLE ARE CALLING THE WHITE HOUSE DIRECTLY.
IN FACT, SO MANY PEOPLE ARE ASKING FOR PARDONS OR
COMMUTATIONS THAT A SPREADSHEET HAS BEEN CREATED TO KEEP TRACK
OF THE REQUESTS.
YES, THEY'RE COMPILING THEM ALL IN MICROSOFT EX-CELL.
IF THEY DO MANAGE TO PRY THE CURRENT PRESIDENT FROM THE WHITE
HOUSE, HE MAY NEED TO FIND A DIFFERENT PLACE TO LIVE, BECAUSE
PALM BEACH RESIDENTS SURROUNDING MAR-A-LAGO RECENTLY SENT THE
TOWN A LETTER WITH A MESSAGE FOR THE OUTGOING COMMANDER IN CHIEF:
WE DON'T WANT YOU TO BE OUR NEIGHBOR.
IT'S ALL IN THE NEW DOCUMENTARY, "WON'T YOU SUCK IT, NEIGHBOR?"
THE LOCALS DON'T LIKE THE NOISE AND TRAFFIC WHEN THE PRESIDENT
IS AT MAR-A-LAGO, BUT EVEN BEFORE HE WAS IN OFFICE, HE
CREATED ILL WILL IN THE TOWN BY REFUSING TO COMPLY WITH EVEN
BASIC LOCAL REQUIREMENTS, SUCH AS ADHERING TO HEIGHT LIMITS FOR
A MASSIVE FLAGPOLE HE INSTALLED.
NOT TO MENTION THE VIOLATING THE HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATION'S RULES ON
FENCE HEIGHT.
NOW, LET'S GET TO THE REASON I CAME DOWN HERE-- MY INTERVIEW
WITH THE FUTURE FIRST COUPLE, STARTING WITH THE
PRESIDENT-ELECT.
STEPHEN?
TONIGHT, IT'S MY HONOR TO SIT DOWN WITH THE KID FROM SCRANTON
WHO MADE GOOD.
PLEASE WELCOME THE PRESIDENT-ELECT OF THE UNITED
STATES JOE BIDEN!
SIR, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SITTING DOWN WITH ME TODAY.
>> THANKS, I ALWAYS ENJOY BEING WITH YOU.
THANK YOU FOR MAKING A TRIP DOWN TO WILMINGTON, DELAWARE.
>> Stephen: IT'S ALWAYS NICE TALKING TO YOU, TOO.
I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY AND ENJOYED TALKING TO YOU ON CAMERA
AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST TEN YEARS NOW, FIRST TIME I
INTERVIEWED YOU.
BUT NOW YOU HAVE A NEW JOB.
YOU ARE ABOUT TO BE THE MOST POWERFUL PERSON IN THE WORLD,
AND MY JOB TO TALK ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE WORLD.
WHAT IS PRESIDENT BIDEN GOING TO PUT INTO THE WORLD?
>> HOPEFULLY, WE'RE GOING TO -- WHEN I RAN, I SAID, STEPHEN,
REALLY EARLY ON, THAT THE NEXT PRESIDENT IS GOING TO INHERIT
TWO THINGS -- A NATION DIVIDED AND A WORLD IN DILLS ARRAY.
AND IN THE WORLD AT LARGE, WE'VE GOT TO SAY AMERICA'S BACK.
AMERICA'S BACK.
WE KEEP OUR COMMITMENTS TO OUR ALLIES.
WE KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OUR ADVERSARIES AND OUR FRIENDS,
AND THE AMERICANS -- I HAVE BEEN, ALREADY -- I'VE SPOKEN
TO -- I'VE CALLED SOME 25, 26 WORLD LEADERS, AND WE'RE --
AMERICA'S BACK, NUMBER ONE.
NUMBER TWO, YOU KNOW, THE -- I THINK THE NATION -- AND I DON'T
THINK I'M KIDDING MYSELF, I GOT CRITICIZED FROM THE BEGINNING
FOR SAYING THIS -- I THINK THE NATION IS LOOKING FOR US TO BE
MUCH MORE UNITED.
WE DON'T HAVE TO HAVE THIS KIND OF -- POLITICS HAVE BECOME SO
DIRTY AND VICIOUS AND PERSONAL AND MEAN AND CLINCHED FIST
INSTEAD OF AN OPEN HAND, AND I THINK PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FIRST
TO COME TOGETHER.
>> Stephen: WHEN WE SPOKE IN MAY, I ASKED YOU IF YOU WERE
GOING TO BEAT THIS GUY, I BELIEVE IS HOW I PUT IT, AND YOU
SAID, YES, I AM.
AND IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK PRETTY GOOD FOR YOU.
THE ODDS ARE PRETTY GOOD THAT YOU'RE COINGT GOING THE BEAT HIM
AT THIS POINT.
DO YOU TAKE IT PERSONALLY AT ALL THE REPUBLICANS WHO HAVEN'T
ACKNOWLEDGED YOUR WIN?
>> NO, LOOK, THEY'RE IN A TOUGH SPOT.
I KNOW EVERYBODY SAYS, WELL, THEY SHOULD JUST STEP UP.
HOW CAN I SAY THIS?
A NUMBER OF THEM SENT MESSAGES TO ME FOUR WEEKS AGO, GIVE ME
TIME, JOE, GIVE ME SOME TIME.
THAT'S FINE BY ME.
WE WON.
WE WON GEORGIA THREE TIMES.
NO, BUT ALL KIDDING ASIDE, LOOK, IT'S A TOUGH SPOT.
>> Stephen: BUT YOU UNDERSTAND THE SPOT THEY'RE IN?
>> I DO.
>> Stephen: BUT BECAUSE YOU UNDERSTAND IT, YOU ALSO HAVE TO
UNDERSTAND HOW FUTILE THE SPOT IS FOR THEM TO RESIST THE
REALITY OF THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE.
LINDSEY GRAHAM -- LINDSEY GRAHAM, A FRIEND OF YOURS, HE
HAS SAID THINGS ABOUT YOU NICER THAN ANYTHING THAT'S BEEN SAID
ABOUT ME.
I WISH SOMEBODY WOULD SAY THE THINGS ABOUT ME THAT LINDSEY
GRAHAM SAID ABOUT YOU.
DO YOU THINK YOU GUYS CAN PATCH IT UP AND WORK TOGETHER?
>> LINDSEY'S BEEN A PERSONAL DISAPPOINTMENT BECAUSE I WAS A
PERSONAL FRIEND OF HIS.
BUT, LOOK, I DON'T THINK -- I THINK THAT -- I THINK I CAN WORK
WITH THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE, I
THINK WE CAN GET THINGS DONE, AND I THINK, ONCE THIS PRESIDENT
IS NO LONGER IN OFFICE, I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO SEE AN IMPACT ON
THE BODY POLITIC FADE, AND A LOT OF THESE REPUBLICANS ARE GOING
TO FEEL THEY HAVE MUCH MORE ROOM TO -- TO RUN AND COOPERATE.
>> Stephen: THE FIRST TIME YOU AND I EVER SPOKE TOGETHER WAS ON
THE OLD SHOW, AND IT WAS IN 2010, AND I ASKED YOU A
QUESTION, IN CHARACTER, BUT IT LEFT A REAL IMPRESSION ON ME
WHAT YOUR ANSWER WAS.
THE ADMINISTRATION HAS GOT SOME CRITIQUE, SOME CRITICISM FROM ME
AND MY CONSERVATIVE FRIENDS THAT YOU HAVE NOT GIVEN ENOUGH CREDIT
TO PRESIDENT BUSH.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY RIGHT NOW TO LOOK
OVER THERE AND SAY THANK YOU.
>> MR. PRESIDENT, THANK YOU.
YOU'VE HONORED THESE GUYS, YOU'VE HONORED THESE WOMEN.
YOU'VE HONORED THESE TROOPS, AND I'VE KNOWN YOU YOUR ENTIRE EIGHT
YEARS AS PRESIDENT, I'VE NEVER KNOWN A TIME WHEN YOU DIDN'T
CARE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED.
WE DISAGREED ON POLICY, BUT YOU DESERVE A LOT OF CREDIT,
MR. PRESIDENT.
>> Stephen: MR. PRESIDENT, I NEVER DISAGREED WITH YOUR
POLICY.
( LAUGHTER ) WELL, THE THING I LIKED ABOUT
THAT IS THAT, REGARDLESS OF THE DIFFERENCE OF POLICY, AND THIS
IS PART OF YOUR BIPARTISAN SPIRIT, YOU WERE WILLING TO
RECOGNIZE A CORE DUTY OF THE PRESIDENT THAT YOU BELIEVE THAT
PRESIDENT BUSH HAD TAKEN AND EXECUTED RESPONSIBLY, AND I
ADMIRED THAT, YOUR WILLINGNESS TO DO THAT WITHOUT HESITATION.
IS THERE ANYTHING ABOUT YOUR PREDECESSOR, THE CURRENT
PRESIDENT, THAT YOU COULD THANK HIM FOR SINCERELY?
>> WEWELL, THE ANSWER IS THERE A SOME THINGS.
I THINKT WHAT HE'S DONE GETTING THE VACCINE MOVING HAS BEEN
POSITIVE.
BUT BY AND LARGE, HE HAS BEEN A PRESIDENT WHO'S DECIDED THAT THE
WAY HE SUCCEEDS IS BY DIVIDING US.
>> Stephen: WELL, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE PRESENT CRISIS,
THE COVID 19 CRISIS.
YOU'VE SAID IN YOUR FIRST 100 DAYS, YOU WANT TO SEE
100 MILLION AMERICANS INOCULATED.
>> 100 MILLION INOCULATIONS, THAT'S 50 MILLION AMERICANS.
>> Stephen: 50 MILLION AMERICANS, 100 MILLION
INOCULATIONS IN THE FIRST 100 DAYS.
I FOLLOW THIS STUFF AS CLOSELY AS I CAN.
>> I KNOW.
>> Stephen: I DON'T ACTUALLY KNOW HOW THAT'S GOING TO BE
ACHIEVED I DON'T KNOW THE PROCESS.
I'M WILLING TO WAIT MY TURN, BUT HAND TO GOD, I DON'T KNOW WHAT
THE PLAN IS.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE PLAN IS?
>> WELL, I KNOW PLAN I WANT.
I KNOW THE PLAN I'M LEARNING ABOUT.
IT'S A BIG DIFFERENCE -- MY ARGUMENT FROM THE BEGINNING HAS
BEEN IT'S ONE THING TO GET THE VACCINE DELIVERED TO X NUMBER OF
SPOTS AROUND THE COUNTRY, IT'S A VERY DIFFERENT THING TO GET THE
VACCINE OUT OF THAT TUBE INTO A SYRINGE INTO SOMEBODY'S ARM.
THE VACCINATION, THAT IS A MONUMENTAL TASK AND IT'S
PROBABLY THE SINGLE MOST SIGNIFICANT EFFORT THAT TAKES
PLACE IN THE UNITED STATES TO DISTRIBUTE SOMETHING AROUND THE
WORLD, AROUND THE COUNTRY.
AND, SO, IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LOT MORE THAN WITH WE HAVE.
NOW, THAT'S WHY I'M PRAYING THAT THE HOUSE PASSES AT LEAST -- I
MEAN, HOUSE AND SENATE, BEFORE THEY RECESS NOW, PASS THAT
$900 BILLION PROPOSAL, AND WE'RE GOING TO NEED MORE.
WE'RE GOING TO NEED MORE VACCINE, WE'RE GOING TO NEED
MORE MONEY, WE'RE GOING TO NEED MORE TO BE ABLE TO GET THIS
DISTRIBUTED, BUT IT'S UNDERWAY, AND I BELIEVE WE CAN GET ONE --
I THINK WE CAN GET 100 MILLION VACCINATIONS TAKEN PLACE, AND
SOME OF THE VACCINATIONS, YOU KNOW, REQUIRE TWO DIFFERENT
SHOTS, TWO DIFFERENT TIMES.
>> Stephen: I KNOW.
AND ONE OF THE THINGS I'M PLEADING WITH THE PRESIDENT TO
DO NOW IS ORDER MORE OF -- WE STEPPED OFF THE WORLD STAGE, WE
WALKED AWAY FROM THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION, WE DECIDED
WE WEREN'T GOING TO COOPERATE WITH ANY OTHER NATIONS AND
PARTICIPATE.
THAT'S A BIG MISTAKE.
WALLS CAN'T STOP THE VIRUS!
>> Stephen: I KNOW YOU'VE HEARD FROM WORLD LEADERS.
I UNDERSTAND THAT VLADIMIR PUTIN SENT YOU A TELEGRAM, WHICH I
DIDN'T KNOW YOU COULD STILL DO, BUT WHAT DID IT SAY?
COULD YOU SHARE THAT WITH US?
>> THE ANSWER IS YES.
BASICALLY, IT SAID CONGRATULATIONS, ACKNOWLEDGING I
WON, BUT THERE WASN'T MUCH BEYOND THAT.
>> Stephen: WHAT HAPPENS TO OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH RUSSIA?
THERE HAS BEEN ESSENTIALLY PATTY CAKE WITH RUSSIA FOR THE LAST
FOUR YEARS, REGARDLESS TO HAVE THE FACT THAT WE KNEW THEY
ATTACKED OUR ELECTION AND WE FOUND OUT FOR THE LAST EIGHT
MONTHS AT LEAST THEY HAVE BEEN SETTING UP BASE CAMP IN BOTH
ECONOMIC, FINANCIAL AND NATIONAL SECURITY ORGANIZES IN THE UNITED
STATES.
HOW DO YOU MAKE SURE THEY DON'T DO THIS AGAIN?
WHAT IS THE MESSAGE?
HOW DO YOU SEND THE MESSAGE OF A BRUSH-BACK PITCH?
>> I SEPTEMBER THE MESSAGE, THEY WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.
THEY WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.
>> Stephen: CAN YOU GIVE US AN APPETIZER OF WHAT THAT
ACCOUNTABILITY MIGHT BE?
>> INDIVIDUALS AS WELL AS ENTITIES WILL BE -- THEY HAVE --
THERE ARE FINANCIAL REPERCUSSIONS FOR WHAT THEY DID,
BEING ABLE TO ACCESS -- AND WE HAVE TO INVEST A LOT MORE MONEY
IN CYBER, WE HAVE TO INVEST A LOT MORE MONEY IN THE ABOUT THE
RESPOND AS WELL AS THE ABILITY TO BE MORE -- PROTECT BOTH
PRIVATE AND PUBLIC ENTITIES, AND WE HAVEN'T MADE THAT COMMITMENT.
WE WILL UNDER MY ADMINISTRATION.
>> Stephen: WELL, SIR, AS NICE AS IT IS TO TALK TO YOU, I'M
SURE YOU'RE AWARE YOU'RE JUST THE OPENING ACT.
>> I DO KNOW THAT.
>> Stephen: AND WHEN WE RETURN, WE WILL GET TO THE HEAD
LINER, DR. JILL BIDEN.
>> I FULLY APPRECIATE THAT.
>> Stephen: STICK AROUND.
>> Stephen: WELCOME BACK, EVERYBODY.
JOINING US NOW IS THE FUTURE FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES,
DR. JILL BIDEN.
DR. BIDEN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.
>> THANKS, HAPPY HOLIDAYS.
>> Stephen: HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU, TOO.
>> THANK YOU.
>> Stephen: YOU ARE HISTORIC IN THAT YOU WILL BE THE FIRST
FIRST LADY WITH A FULL-TIME, PAYING JOB.
WHAT IS THAT AND WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT TO YOU?
>> WELL, YOU KNOW, IT'S HARD FOR ME TO THINK OF IT IN HISTORIC
TERMS, I GUESS, BECAUSE I TAUGHT ALL EIGHT YEARS WHILE I WAS
SECOND LADY, BUT I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING FIRST
LADY AND DOING TO THINGS THAT I DID AS SECOND LADY, CARRYING ON
WITH MILITARY FAMILIES AND EDUCATION AND FREE COMMUNITY
COLLEGE, CANCER THAT, YOU KNOW, JOE AND I HAVE BOTH WORKED ON,
AND THEN -- AND I'M GOING TO TEACH AS WELL.
>> Stephen: YOU ONCE SAID IN YOUR OWN MEMOIR, THE ROLE I HAVE
ALWAYS FELT MOST AT HOME IN IS DR. BIDEN.
SOME PEOPLE HAVE RECENTLY TAKEN IT UPON THEMSELVES TO QUESTION
THAT TITLE OF YOURS.
DO YOU HAVE ANY REACTION TO THOSE PEOPLE?
>> YEAH.
THAT WAS SUCH A SURPRISE.
>> Stephen: IT CAUGHT ME BY SURPRISE AS WELL.
I DID NOT SEE THAT ONE COMING.
>> NO, NOR DID I.
AND REALLY THE TONE OF IT THAT I THINK -- YOU KNOW, HE CALLED ME
"KIDDO."
ONE OF THE THINGS I'M MOST PROUD OF IS MY DOCTORATE, YOU KNOW, I
WORKED SO HARD FOR IT.
YOU KNOW, JOE CAME WHEN I DEFENDED MY THESIS.
>> I GOT TO HAND HER HER DOCTOR RAT ON STAGE OF THE UNIVERSITY
OF DELAWARE.
SHE HAD TWO MASTERS DEGREE.
SHE KEPT GOING SCHOOL ALL THE TIME WHILE TEACHING AT NIGHT.
I SAID, JILL, WHY DON'T YOU GET A DOCTORATE AND MAKE US SOME
REAL MONEY.
SHE GETS THE DOCTORATE AND GETS A $2,000 RAISE.
( LAUGHTER ) >> LOOK AT THE PEOPLE WHO CAME
OUT IN SUPPORT OF ME.
I AM SO GRATEFUL.
I WAS JUST OVERWHELMED BY HOW GRACIOUS PEOPLE WERE TOWARD ME.
>> Stephen: DO YOU THINK IT MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT OF A
COMPLIMENT THAT PEOPLE WERE TRYING TO THINK OF SOMETHING TO
CRITICIZE YOU ABOUT LIKE, I GOT IT!
>> I'LL TAKE IT.
>> Stephen: AS A HUSBAND WHO LOVES THIS PERSON, DID YOU EVER
WANT TO GET OUT A LENGTH OF POOL CHAIN AND GO FULL CORN POP ON
THESE PEOPLE?
>> THE ANSWER IS THAT'S CLOSE.
NO, NO.
BUT THERE ARE SOME OF THESE -- ANYWAY.
>> Stephen: MM-HMM.
IT WAS THE TOBE OF IT.
HAVE BEEN SUPPRESSING MY IRISHNESS FOR SOME TIME.
>> Stephen: IT'S ALWAYS A SMART THING TO DO.
THE INAUGURAL, OBVIOUSLY, IS I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY DAYS AWAY.
I BET ONE OF YOUR STAFF KNOWS.
HOW MANY DAYS AWAY IS IT?
WHAT?
34.
SEND THAT GIRL A BOX OF STEAKS.
SHE GOT IT RIGHT.
SO 34 DAYS FROM NOW, MR. PRESIDENT ELECT, YOU FIRST
RAN FOR THIS JOB 32 YEARS AGO.
I GOT TO THINK YOU HAVE BEEN IMAGINING WHAT THAT DAY WAS
GOING TO BE LIKE FOR A LONG TIME.
WHAT'S IT GOING TO BE NOW IN REALITY?
HOW DOES THAT MATCH YOUR ORIGINAL IMAGE?
>> WELL, THE TRUTH IS I HADN'T THOUGHT ABOUT IT FOR A LONG
TIME, FOR REAL.
AFTER BEAU DIED -- I DECIDED, I WAS A PROFESSOR AT THE
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, HAD AN INSTITUTE AT THE UNIVERSITY
OF DELAWARE, AND WASN'T TILL THE FOLKS CAME OUT OF THE FIELDS AT
CHARLOTTESVILLE I REALIZED SOMETHING HAD TO HAPPEN.
OUR GRANDDAUGHTERS AND GRANDSON CAME TO SEE US AND SAID YOU'VE
GOT TO RUN, POP, AND THAT'S WHEN I DECIDED TO RUN.
IT'S BEEN MORE A SENSE OF OBLIGATION THAN WANTING TO LIVE
IN THE WHITE HOUSE.
IT'S ABOUT CHANGING -- THIS IS NOT WHO -- THE COUNTRY WE HAVE
BEEN IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS IS NOT WHO WE ARE, AND WE HAVE TO
GET BACK TO WHO WE ARE.
WE ARE A DEMOCRACY, WE ARE A DEMOCRACY THAT HAS SHOWN RESPECT
AND DECENCY AND A BEACON TO THE REST OF THE WORLD, AND WE'RE
LOSING THAT.
>> Stephen: WHAT ABOUT THE THE EVENT ITSELF?
WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AT THE INAUGURAL?
HAVE THE PLANS BEEN SOLIDIFIED YET?
I KNOW YOU WILL BE HOLDING THE BIBLE.
>> I HAVE BEEN HOLDING THE BIBLE.
I WAS ACTUALLY LOOKING FOR IT TODAY.
>> Stephen: HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING OUT?
THIS IS THE SIZE OF YOUR FAMILY BIBLE.
> 1893.
>> Stephen: WHY IS YOUR BIBLE BIGGER THAN MINE?
DO YOU HAVE MORE JESUS THAN I DO?
>> NO, BUT IT'S BEEN A FAMILY HEIRLOOM IN THE BIDEN FAMILY.
EVERY IMPORTANT DATE IS IN THERE.
EVERY TIME I HAVE BEEN SWORN IN ANYTHING THE DATE HAS BEEN IN
THAT, INSCRIBED IN THE BIBLE.
THE SON, SWORN IN AS ATTORNEY GENERAL, ALL THE IMPORTANT DATES
IN OUR FAMILY GOING WAY BACK, AND IT'S JUST BEEN A FAMILY
HEIRLOOM.
>> Stephen: THERE HAS BEEN SPECULATION ABOUT WHETHER YOUR
PREDECESSOR WILL ATTEND, AS IS TRADITIONAL, YOUR INAUGURAL.
DOES IT MATTER TO YOU WHETHER HE DOES?
>> IN A PERSONAL SENSE, NO, BUT IN A SENSE RELATING TO --
>> HISTORY, RIGHT?
-- HISTORY.
IN TERMS OF WE HAVE BEEN THE BEACON OF DEMOCRACY FOR THE LAST
200 YEARS, AND THE PEACEFUL TRANSFER OF POWER, AND THE POWER
BEING█ HANDED FROM ONE PERSON TO ANOTHER, ONE PARTY TO ANOTHER IS
WHO WE ARE, AN THAT'S THE PART I WORRY ABOUT IS HOW THAT REFLECTS
AROUND THE WORLD.
AND, SO, BUT THAT'S THE ONLY STANDPOINT FROM -- I DON'T TAKE
IT PERSONALLY, BUT I DO THINK IT AFFECTS THE VIEW OF THE REST OF
THE WORLD AS TO WHO WE ARE.
>> Stephen: SO FOR THE GOOD TO HAVE THE COUNTRY, IT WOULD BE A
BETTER THING TO HAVE HAPPEN?
>> I THINK SO.
>> Stephen: SEEMS LIKE, AS LONG AS THE BOTH OF YOU HAVE
BOTH BEEN IN WASHINGTON, AND WHETHER -- WEATHERED THE SLINGS
AND ARROWS OF THE TOWN, YOU'RE ABOUT TO STEP INTO SOMETHING
COMPLETELY DIFFERENT RIGHT NOW.
AND AS YOU'VE KNOWN, PEOPLE WHO YOU THOUGHT YOU COULD RELY ON
SOMETIMES TURN ON YOU.
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO AND HOW WILL YOU SUSTAIN EACH OTHER FOR
THE ATTACKS YOU KNOW ARE COMING YOUR WAY?
CASE IN POINT, I KNOW YOU WANT TO BE AS BIPARTISAN AND REACH
ACROSS THE AISLE, BUT AS MUCH AS YOU DON'T WANT IT TO HAPPEN, YOU
KNOW THAT THE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO MAKE HAY IN WASHINGTON ARE GOING
TO TRY TO USE YOUR ADULT SON AS A CUDGEL AGAINST YOU.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT AND WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY TO THOSE
PEOPLE?
>> WELL, LOOK, I HAVE -- WE HAVE GREAT CONFIDENCE IN OUR SON.
I AM NOT CONCERNED ABOUT ANY ACCUSATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE
AGAINST HIM.
IT'S USED TO GET TO ME.
I THINK IT'S KIND OF FOUL PLAY, BUT, LOOK, IT IS WHAT IT IS, AND
HE'S A GROWN MAN, HE IS THE SMARTEST MAN I KNOW, IN A PURELY
INTELLECTUAL CAPACITY, AND AS LONG AS HE'S GOOD, WE'RE GOOD.
>> Stephen: AS A FATHER, I UNDERSTAND THAT, AND I ADMIRE
THAT, BUT I MEAN, IN TERMS OF YOUR JOB AS PRESIDENT, CAN YOU
REACH ACROSS THE AISLE TO PEOPLE WHO WILL BE USING THIS AS AN
ATTACK ON YOU, WHEN IT IS SUCH A PERSONAL ATTACK BECAUSE IT'S
ABOUT FAMILY?
>> BUT IF IT BENEFITS THE COUNTRY, YES.
I REALLY MEAN IT.
BECAUSE WE KNOW WHO WE ARE.
>> Stephen: YOU'RE A BETTER MAN THAN I.
>> DON'T GET ME WRONG, DOESN'T MEAN I'M NOT ANGRY, DOESN'T MEAN
I WASN'T ANGRY AND DOESN'T MEAN IF I WERE BACK IN THE DAYS OF
HIGH SCHOOL I WOULDN'T SAY COME HERE AND GO A ROUND.
>> BUT YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE HIGH ROAD.
>> BUT, LOOK, THERE'S SO MUCH AT STAKE, AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE,
I THINK THEY CAN SMELL THE PHONINESS, SMELL WHAT'S TRUE AND
WHAT'S NOT TRUE, AND I JUST -- BUT WHAT IT DOES DO, A COUPLE OF
PEOPLE WHO HAVE -- IT'S JUST BEEN A DISAPPOINTMENT.
I FEEL BADLY FOR THEM.
I'M NOT BEING FACETIOUS.
>> WE FEEL BAD FOR OUR FRIENDS.
I FEEL BADLY.
BUT WHAT'S HAPPENED?
WHAT WENT WRONG?
WHAT'S -- >> YEAH.
WHAT'S GOING ON HERE.
AND BECAUSE -- ANYWAY, AND LOOK AT THE PEOPLE WHO STEPPED UP,
LOOK AT ALL THE REPUBLICANS WHO STEPPED UP IN THIS CAMPAIGN,
FORMER OFFICE HOLDERS, YOU KNOW, JOHN MCCAIN'S WIFE, PEOPLE WHO
WENT OUT THERE WHO HOLD PUBLIC OFFICE, WHO ARE MAJOR REPUBLICAN
FIGURES, THE FORMEN CHAIRMAN OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.
I MEAN, SO, THERE'S A LOT MORE GOOD.
BUT MY JOB, I'M NOT KIDDING, STEPHEN, I'M GOING TO BE JUDGED
BY HISTORY, WHETHER OR NOT I CAN MAKE THINGS BETTER FOR THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE, AND I WILL DEAL WITH ANYONE IF WHAT WE'RE
WORKING ON IS IMPROVING THE WELL BEING OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
IT'S NOT PHONY, IT'S REAL.
I'LL SWALLOW HARD AND I'LL DO IT.
>> Stephen: WE HAVE TO TAKE ANOTHER QUICK BREAK.
STICK AROUND, EVERYBODY.
WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH PRESIDENT-ELECT JOE BIDEN AND
DR. JILL BIDEN.
♪♪♪ >> Stephen: HEY, EVERYBODY,
WE'RE BACK WITH PRESIDENT-ELECT JOSEPH R. BIDEN AND FUTURE FIRST
LADY DR. JILL BIDEN.
YOU WILL BE THE SECOND CATHOLIC PRESIDENT, AND I DON'T KNOW
ABOUT YOU, BUT MAYBE NOT GROWING UP IN A PRESBYTERIAN HOUSEHOLD,
BUT IN A CATHOLIC HOUSEHOLD, THERE WAS AN ICON OF J.F.K. AND
R.F.K. ON MY WALLS.
I'M SURPRISED MORE HASN'T BEEN MADE OF THE SECOND CATHOLIC
PRESIDENT.
IT'S SIGNIFICANT CERTAINLY TO ME.
J.F.K. HAD TO ALLAY EVERYONE'S FIERCE THAT THERE WASN'T SOME
MERGE PHONE TO THE POPE TO TELL HIM WHAT TO DO.
BUT AT 60 YEARS-ON, IS IT E-MAILS NOW, HOW IS THE POPE
GOING TO TELL YOU HOW TO GOVERN.
>> THE POPE PERSONALLY CALLED ME.
>> Stephen: REALLY?
TO CONGRATULATE ME AND, AS A MATTER OF FACT, I JUST HAD A
NICE PHONE CALL WITH HIS EMINENCE, THE NEW CARDINAL, IN
WASHINGTON WHO SAID HE JUST GOT BACK FROM ROME AND THE POPE
SIGNED A BOOK FOR HE HE WANTS ME TO HAVE.
THE POPE'S BEEN INCREDIBLY GENEROUS TO OUR FAMILY.
>> YES.
WHEN HE CAME TO VISIT, WE WERE THE HOUSE CATHOLICS, WE
WERE THE ONES SHOWING THE POPE AROUND, AND BEAU HAD DIED JUST A
COUPLE OF WEEKS EARLIER.
HE ASKED TO MEET WITH THE FAMILY IN THE HANGAR IN THE AIRPORT AS
HE WAS LEAVING IN PHILLY.
HE CAME IN.
WE HAD 16 FAMILY MEMBERS THERE, AND HE DIDN'T JUST SPEAK ABOUT
BEAU, HE SPOKE IN DETAIL ABOUT BEAU, ABOUT WHO HE WAS AND ABOUT
FAMILY VALUES AND ABOUT FORGIVENESS AND ABOUT DECENCY.
I MEAN, HE IS -- I AM A GREAT ADMIRER OF HIS HOLINESS, I
REALLY AM.
>> Stephen: I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN VERY OPEN ABOUT THE
IMPORTANCE OF FAITH IN YOUR LIFE AND, DR. BIDEN, I KNOW YOU HAVE
A PRAYER PARTNER THAT YOU PICKED UP ON THE CAMPAIGN.
>> I DO.
>> Stephen: WHO IS THAT AND I'VE NEVER HAD A PRAYER PARTNER.
WHAT'S A PRAYER PARTNER?
>> I COULD BE YOUR PRAYER PARTNER.
>> Stephen: I'M IN.
IT WAS A WOMAN I MET, IT WAS -- YOU KNOW, I HAD A REAL
STRUGGLE WITH MY FAITH AFTER BEAU DIED BECAUSE I JUST DIDN'T
BELIEVE HE WAS GOING TO DIE, AND WE WERE IN SOUTH CAROLINA AT A
CHURCH, AND A WOMAN CAME UP TO ME --
>> AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHURCH.
D SHE PUT HER HAND ON ME AND SAID, JILL, I WANT TO BE
YOUR PRAYER PARTNER.
I SAID, PRAYER PARTNER, I'VE NEVER HEARD OF THAT.
BUT I HAVE TO TELL YOU, WE CALL ONE ANOTHER, SHE TEXTS ME A
COUPLE OF TIMES A WEEK.
SHE ACTUALLY TEXTED ME THIS MORNING, AND WE'VE CONTINUED TO
PRAY AND PRAY FOR, YOU KNOW, THIS COUNTRY AND PEOPLE
STRUGGLING.
I MEAN, LOOK HOW MANY PEOPLE -- AMERICANS ARE STRUGGLING THROUGH
THIS PANDEMIC.
IT'S MEANT A GREAT DEAL TO ME.
SO I FIGURED SO MANY PEOPLE PRAYED FOR ME AND JOE WHEN BEAU
WAS SO ILL, AND NOW I NEED TO PRAY, WE NEED TO PRAY FOR OTHER
PEOPLE.
>> Stephen: BOTH OF YOU HAVE BEEN SO OPEN, AND I SAY GENEROUS
BECAUSE NOT EVERYONE FEELS COMFORTABLE SHARING THEIR GRIEF
WITH THE PUBLIC, NOT DEMONSTRABLY, BUT AS AN EXAMPLE
TO HAVE THE NECESSITY OF GRIEF TO HEAL YOURSELF.
OUR COUNTRY HAS AN UNADDRESSED GRIEF OF THE 300,000 PEOPLE WHO
HAVE DIED PARTLY BECAUSE OUR PRESENT LEADERSHIP DOESN'T WANT
TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE DIMENSION OF THIS TRAGEDY.
MR. PRESIDENT-ELECT, WHAT DO YOU THINK THE ROLE OF THE PRESIDENT
IS IN LEADING THE COUNTRY TO FACE LOSS?
>> WELL, LOOK, YOU AND I HAD A LONG DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS.
YOU'VE HAD SEVERE LOSS IN YOUR FAMILY, YOUR DAD AND YOUR
BROTHER, AND IT'S PROFOUND.
THINK OF ALL THE PEOPLE THIS CHRISTMAS WHO ARE GOING TO SIT
AT A TABLE WITH AN EMPTY CHAIR ACROSS THE TABLE, A SON,
DAUGHTER, MOM, A DAD, SOMEBODY.
AND AS YOU KNOW, AND I'M NOT BEING SOLICITOUS, YOU KNOW,
PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW, PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN THROUGH IT, CAN I MAKE
IT?
CAN I MAKE IT?
AND WHAT YOU AND I TALKED ABOUT IS I THINK EMPATHY IS A
CRITICALLY IMPORTANT THING.
IT DOESN'T MAKE IT EASIER TO TALK ABOUT BECAUSE YOU HAVE BEEN
THROUGH IT, BUT WHEN YOU HAVE BEEN THROUGH IT AND YOU TALK TO
PEOPLE, THEY GO, OKAY, I KNOW HE OR SHE UNDERSTANDS BECAUSE THEY
HAVE BEEN THROUGH IT.
>> Stephen: BUT HOW DO WE ADDRESS THAT RIGHT NOW BECAUSE
THERE IS THIS UNADDRESSED GRIEF, AND IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IT'S NOT
HEALTHY FOR THE NATION TO PRETEND LIKE SOMETHING -- I'M
WORRIED THAT WE'RE NOT ADDRESSING IT, THAT WE HAVE TO
TAKE A MOMENT FOR THE GRIEF AND WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE
PRESIDENT TO DO THAT.
>> WELL, THE ROLE OF THE PRESIDENCY IS TO SAY THERE'S A
REASON TO GRIEVE.
YOU'VE HAD GREAT LOSS.
BUT HERE WILL COME A TIME, AND REMIND YOURSELF, JUST BE
REMINDED THE TIME WILL COME WHEN YOU THINK YOUR HUSBAND, WIFE,
SON, DAUGHTER, MOM OR DAD, YOU GET A SMILE ON THE LIPS BEFORE A
TEAR IN YOUR EYE, YOU KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE IT.
IN THE MEANTIME, WE HAVE TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THERE ARE ALSO A LOT
OF PEOPLE WHO NEED HELP OUTSIDE.
LOOK AT ALL THE NURSES AND DOCTORS WHO HAVE GONE THROUGH
HELL OF HOLDING SOMEONE'S HAND WHO THERE'S NO FAMILY MEMBER
THERE WHEN THEY TIED AND THE THE IMPACT ON THEM.
THAT'S WHY WE HAVE TO INVEST A LOT MORE MONEY ON MENTAL HEALTH
AND ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE SOMEONE TO TALK
TO.
YOU HAVE TO TALK THROUGH IT.
BUT PEOPLE KNOW IF THEY LOOK AROUND AND SEE THIS PERSON MADE
IT, I CAN MAKE IT, WE'RE GOING TO GET THROUGH THIS.
IT'S GOING TO BE HELL, AND BY THE WAY, WE'RE GOING TO LOSE A
LOT MORE PEOPLE.
>> BUT I THINK ONE OF THE REASONS THAT JOE WAS ELECTED WAS
BECAUSE OF HIS SENSE OF EMPATHY, AND I THINK PEOPLE UNDERSTAND
THAT HE'S HAD A LOT OF TRAGEDY AND LOSS IN OUR FAMILY, AND HE
UNDERSTANDS WHAT THEY'RE GOING THROUGH.
AND I HOPE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, WHEN WE GET TO THE WHITE HOUSE,
KNOW THAT WE FEEL THEIR PAIN.
WE KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE, AND THAT JOE -- AND THAT THERE'S HOPE
THAT THINGS ARE GOING TO GET BETTER FOR THEM.
YOU KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE VACCINES AND, YOU KNOW,
JOE'S GOING TO WORK TO UNITE THE COUNTRY, AND, SO, I HOPE THEY
FEEL THAT THERE'S REAL HOPE.
>> Stephen: WE HAVE TO TAKE A QUICK BREAK, BUT WHEN WE COME
BACK, I WILL ASK THE BIDENS ABOUT THEIR CHRISTMAS
TRADITIONS.
♪♪♪ >> Stephen: HEY, EVERYBODY,
WE'RE BACK HERE WITH THE BIDENS.
CHRISTMAS IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER.
>> MM-HMM.
>> Stephen: I HAVE TO ASK, IN A NORMAL CHRISTMAS YEAR, WHAT
ARE THE BIDEN FAMILY CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS?
BECAUSE IN MY FAMILY, THE NUMBER ONE TRADITION IS PROBABLY TO
FIGHT OVER THE CHRISTMAS TREE ABOUT WHICH WAY THE LIGHTS GO
FROM THE TOP TO THE BOTTOM OR THE BOTTOM TO THE TOP, AND IT'S
OBVIOUSLY TOP TO THE BOTTOM AND EVERYTHING ELSE IS MADNESS.
>> HE'S CRAZY ABOUT HIS CHRISTMAS TREE BECAUSE, YOU
KNOW, THE BIDENS HAVE A TRADITION WHERE THEY MIX IVORY
SNOW WITH WATER.
HE USES MY HAND MIXER.
>> Stephen: IVORY SNOW LIKE THE --
>> THE DETERGENT.
>> Stephen: THE POWDER DETERGENT.
>> YES, BUT YOU CAN MAKE IT LOOK LIKE SNOW.
MY DAD USED TO DO IT.
IN THE BIDEN TRADITION, MY GRANDFATHER.
AND I SWEAR TO GOD, IT LOOKS LIKE SNOW IS FALLING ON THE
TREE.
>> I FIGHT IT EVERY YEAR.
AND THE TINSEL, HE'S TO PARTICULARLY.
>> ONE STRAND AT A TIME, YOU CAN'T THROW IT ON THERE.
>> Stephen: CAN'T THROW IT ON THERE.
>> NO, NO, NO!
MY DAD, LOOK -- >> Stephen: YOU TAKE IT OFF AT
THE END OF THE YEAR, IRON IT AND PUT IT IN THE BOX?
>> NO, WE GET RID OF IT BUT YOU CAN'T THROW IT ON.
>> Stephen: THE FAVORITE THING FOR THE CHILDREN TO DO IS THROW
GIANT -- WE THREW CLUMPS AT THE CHRISTMAS TREE.
>> NO, WE HAVE ELFDOM, JUNIOR ELFS.
YOU HAVE TO PUT IT ON ONE STRAND AT A TIME.
I GET TO BED AT 3:00 IN THE MORNING BECAUSE SANTA CLAUS PUTS
THE SNOW ON.
>> Stephen: THAT'S HOW YOU KNOW HE'S BEEN THERE.
>> EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE GROWN CHILDREN AND WE HAVE A
TRADITION.
>> Stephen: AND YOU MEET SANTA WHEN HE DOES IT?
>> THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.
THE TRADITION IS BASED ON YOUNGEST TO OLDEST INCLUDING THE
GROWN CHILDREN, YOU COME DOWN THE STAIRS --
>> Stephen: NO OTHER WAY, YOUNGEST TO OLDEST.
>> YOU GOT IT.
THAT'S THE WAY TO DO IT.
WE HAVE 26 PEOPLE FOR DINNER EVERY CHRISTMAS EVE FOR THE LAST
20 YEARS, OUR FAMILY, AND THEN WE HAVE -- THIS YEAR IT'S GOING
TO BE JILL AND ME AND MAYBE OUR DAUGHTER AND OUR SON-IN-LAW.
>> Stephen: WHEN YOU ARE FIRST LADY YOU GET TO MAKE THE CALLS
ON THE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS SO YOU CAN BAN IVORY SNOW ON THE
TREES FOR AT LEAST FOUR YEARS.
>> THERE YOU GO.
I'M NOT DOING ALL THOSE TREES.
I JUST DO SANTA'S TREE, JUST THE ONE.
A 16'TREE IN OUR HALLWAY.
WE HAVE TWO TREES.
>> Stephen: YOU WILL HAVE A LOT OF TREES NEXT YEAR, SIR.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
>> Stephen: ABOUT NEXT YEAR -- YEAH.
>> Stephen: -- DO YOU THINK THIS TIME NEXT YEAR, WHEN YOU'RE
BOTH IN THE WHITE HOUSE, WE WILL HAVE WHAT YOU COULD CALL A
NORMAL CHRISTMAS?
WILL THE COUNTRY BE BACK TO NORMAL?
>> I BELIEVE WE'LL BE AWFULLY CLOSE TO THAT IF NOT THERE.
I DO.
THE COMBINATION, IN THE FIRST 100 DAYS, I'M GOING TO ASK
EVERYBODY TO WEAR A MASK FOR 100 DAYS AND WHERE I CAN DICTATE
THAT ON FEDERAL PROPERTY, I HAVE BEEN ON FOR 45 GOVERNORS ASKING
THEM TO THINK ABOUT IT, JUST 100 DAYS.
WE'RE GOING TO GET THE 100 MILLION VACCINATIONS OUT
THERE, AND WE'RE GOING TO GET TO THE PLACE WHERE WE CAN OPEN
SCHOOLS, AND THERE'S THINGS WE CAN DO, AND I THINK WE CAN
REALLY -- IT'S NOT GOING TO BE QUICK, BUT I THINK, BY NEXT
CHRISTMAS, WE WILL BE CLOSE TO NORMAL.
>> YEP.
>> Stephen: WELL, PRESIDENT-ELECT, MADAM SOON TO
BE FIRST LADY, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME TO SIT DOWN
WITH ME.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> Stephen: IT'S MY HONOR, AND I'LL SEE YOU SOMETIME NEXT YEAR
I HOPE.
>> I HOPE, SO TOO.
THANKS.
>> Stephen: WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.
♪♪♪
>> Stephen: WELCOME BACK, EVERYBODY.
NOW PERFORMING HIS SINGLE "HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE
CHRISTMAS," "A LATE SHOW'S" VERY OWN JON BATISTE!
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
♪ HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS
♪ LET YOUR HEART BE LIGHT NEXT YEAR, ALL OUR TROUBLES
♪ WILL BE OUT OF SIGHT HAVE YOURSELF A
♪ MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS MAKE THE YULE-TIDE GAY
♪ NEXT YEAR, ALL YOUR TROUBLES WILL BE MILES AWAY
♪ ONCE AGAIN, AS IN OLDEN DAYS HAPPY GOLDEN DAYS OF YORE
♪ FAITHFUL FRIENDS WHO ARE DEAR TO US
♪ WILL BE NEAR TO US ONCE MORE
♪ SOMEDAY SOON WE ALL WILL BE TOGETHER
♪ IF THE FATES ALLOW BUT UNTIL THEN, WE'LL HAVE TO
♪ MUDDLE THROUGH, SOMEHOW YEAH
♪ HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS NOW ♪
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ HAVE YOURSELF A
MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS NOW ♪ YEAH-YEAH-YEAH
♪ HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS NOW ♪
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
>> Stephen: THANK YOU, JON.
WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.
♪♪♪
>> Stephen: WELL, THAT'S IT FOR "A LATE SHOW," EVERYBODY.
TUNE IN TOMORROW FOR OUR SPECIAL FRIDAY END-OF-2020 SHOW.
WE'VE GOT A GREAT HOLIDAY CARTOON, AND MY GUEST WILL BE
GEORGE CLOONEY.
GOOD NIGHT.
♪♪♪ Captioning sponsored by CBS
Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH
access.wgbh.org Captioning sponsored by CBS