>> IT'S UNBELIEVABLE.
IT'S ESSENTIALLY, ALISON, AN ONLINE FLASH MOB BEATING THE
PROFESSIONAL INVESTORS AT THEIR OWN GAME.
IF YOU LOOK AT SHARES OF GameStop AT AMC, THEY HAVE
SKYROCKETED.
THEY HAVE BEEN PROPELLED BY AMATEUR INVESTORS ON TWITTER AND
ON THIS REDDIT CHATROOM CALLED WallStreetBets.
>> MY NAME IS NARWHALWIZARD8.
I SPEND MOST OF MY NAME ON REDDIT WATCHING DASHCAM FOOTAGE.
AWESOME.
BUT THEN I STUMBLED ON THIS SUB-REDDIT WallStreetBets, AND
NOW ME AND MY ONLINE FRIENDS HAVE WALL STREET IN A PANIC.
FROM ACADEMY AWARD WINNER MARTIN SCORSESE, "THE WOLF OF COUCH
STREET."
MY LIFE IS LESS OF THIS, AND MORE OF THIS.
COOL.
JUST MADE 50 BUCKS.
AGAIN, JUST TO REITERATE, LESS OF THIS, MORE OF THIS.
STARRING ME, NARWHALWIZARD8.
NO, NO, NO, NOT THAT GUY.
THIS GUY.
"THE WOLF OF COUCH STREET," COMING SOON.
>> $10,000 TO SHAVE A ( BLEEP HEAD!
YEAH!
( CLIPPING SOUND ) >> ANNOUNCER: IT'S "A LATE SHOW
WITH STEPHEN COLBERT.
TONIGHT: STUCK IT TO THE MAN!
PLUS, STEPHEN WELCOMES: VIGGO MORTENSEN
AND CHARLES BLOW, FEATURING JON BATISTE AND STAY HUMAN.
AND NOW, LIVE ON TAPE FROM THE ED SULLIVAN THEATER OFFICE
BUILDING IN NEW YORK CITY, IT'S STEPHEN COLBERT!
>> Stephen: OH, HEY!
WELCOME, ONE AND ALL, TO "A LATE SHOW."
I'M YOUR HOST, STEPHEN COLBERT.
GOOD EVENING, NEWLY MINTED REDDIT MILLIONAIRES!
I'M SURE YOU'RE ALL WATCHING THIS FROM THE MARBLE BATHTUB ON
YOUR HOVERCRAFT, THANKS TO YOUR SAVVY STOCK MARKET MANIPULATION
OF GAMESTOP, TOOTSIE ROLLS, BLOCKBUSTER VIDEO, AND, BY THE
TIME THIS AIRS, I'M GOING TO SAY, CRYSTAL PEPSI?
MORE ON THAT LATER.
FIRST, THERE'S AN ALARMING SURGE IN ANOTHER AMERICAN INDUSTRY:
WHITE SUPREMACY.
YESTERDAY, FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY ISSUED A BULLETIN, WARNING OF A HEIGHTENED THREAT
ENVIRONMENT ACROSS THE UNITED STATES DUE TO HOMEGROWN VIOLENT
EXTREMISTS.
ALL RIGHT, I UNDERSTAND IT'S A PANDEMIC, WE'RE BAKING OUR OWN
SOURDOUGH, BUT CAN WE PLEASE NOT GROW OUR OWN TERRORISTS?
ACCORDING TO D.H.S., THESE ARTISANAL EXTREMISTS ARE DRIVEN
BY OBJECTIONS TO THE PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION, AS WELL
AS OTHER PERCEIVED GRIEVANCES FUELED BY FALSE NARRATIVES.
AS OPPOSED TO THE PERSON WHO PUSHED THOSE NARRATIVES, WHO'S
FUELED BY THE 20-PIECE BUCKET.
SO THE LOOMING THREAT OF CONTINUED INTRAMURAL VIOLENCE
RAISES THE IMPORTANT QUESTION: WILL THE REPUBLICAN PARTY
FINALLY TAKE A STAND AGAINST THE MAN WHO LEGITIMIZED AMERICAN
FASCISM?
FOR THE ANSWER, WE TURN TO HOUSE MINORITY LEADER AND MAN WHO...
AW, DAMMIT, HE WENT DOWN TO MAR-A-LAGO TODAY.
YOU'RE GOING TO GO SUCK UP TO THE MAN WHO SENT GOONS TO KILL
YOU?
THAT'S NOT A LACK OF SELF-RESPECT, THAT'S A LACK OF
SELF-PRESERVATION.
THAT'S LIKE TURNING TO THE CANNIBAL WHO'S SLOWLY EATING YOU
AND SAYING, "I'M SORRY FOR INITIALLY RUNNING AWAY FROM
YOU.
ALL THAT CARDIO REALLY TOUGHENED MY THIGH MEAT.
HERE, LET ME TENDERIZE THEM WITH SOME VINEGAR AND MISO.
SO WHY THE HELL IS MCCARTHY DOING THIS?
SOURCES SAY THAT HE IS CAUGHT BETWEEN G.O.P. MEMBERS WHO THINK
THE ATTACK ON THE CAPITOL WAS SEDITION AND THE FORMER
PRESIDENT'S FERVENT SUPPORTERS.
POOR GUY.
HE'S CAUGHT BEEN A ROCK AND A DUMB-AS-A-ROCK.
EVIDENTLY, THE ONLY THING SCARIER TO REPUBLICANS IN
CONGRESS THAN A VIOLENT MOB, IS THE FEAR THAT THE VIOLENT MOB
MIGHT NOT LIKE THEM ANYMORE.
ACCORDING TO ONE PARTY STRATEGIST, THE EX-PRESIDENT'S
MOST LOYAL FANS ARE A VOTING COALITION THAT MATTERS IN THIS
COUNTRY.
THEY HAVE A VOICE, AND THEY ARE GOING TO MAKE THAT VOICE HEARD.
WE'VE HEARD THAT VOICE.
THEY HAVE A CLEAR PLATFORM, AND THEY WANT TO HANG MIKE PENCE
FROM IT.
ONE CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICAN WHO'S GOT THE HOMICIDAL-VOTE ON
LOCKDOWN IS GEORGIA REPRESENTATIVE AND CHURCH CAMP
DIRECTOR DESCRIBING PUBERTY IN BIBLICAL TERMS, MARJORIE TAYLOR
GREENE.
GREENE IS ALREADY INFAMOUS FOR HER SUPPORT OF Q-ANON, BUT
BELIEVE IT OR NOT, IT GETS WORSE, BECAUSE THIS WEEK,
REPORTERS UNEARTHED ONLINE POSTS WHERE GREENE REPEATEDLY
INDICATED SUPPORT FOR EXECUTING PROMINENT DEMOCRATIC
POLITICIANS.
OKAY, THAT'S PROBABLY GOING TO COMPLICATE THIS YEAR'S
CONGRESSIONAL SECRET SANTA.
HUH, SEE WHAT I GET HERE.
MY PERSON GOT ME A SEVERED HORSE'S HEAD.
I THOUGHT WE WERE SUPPOSED TO STAY UNDER $25.
THE SPECIFICS ARE GRIM.
IN ONE FACEBOOK POST, A GREENE SUPPORTER ASKED OF HILLARY
CLINTON AND BARACK OBAMA: "NOW DO WE GET TO HANG THEM?"
AND GREENE REPLIED, "STAGE IS BEING SET, PLAYERS ARE BEING PUT
IN PLACE.
WE MUST BE PATIENT."
HOLY HAUL THEM TO THE HAGUE, BATMAN!
SHE'S NOT EVEN TRYING TO BE DISCREET.
AT LEAST MOBSTERS USE CODED LANGUAGE.
THERE'S A REASON THE GODFATHER DOESN'T SAY THIS:
>> I'M GOING TO MAKE AN OFFER HE CAN'T REFUSE, BECAUSE IF HE DOES
I'M GOING TO KILL HIM.
>> STEPHEN: AND THIS WEEK, A VIDEO SURFACED OF GREEN BERATING
ONE OF THE PARKLAND SURVIVORS.
>> DAVID, WHY ARE YOU SUPPORTING THE RED FLAG LAWS?
DO YOU NOT KNOW HOW TO DEFEND YOUR STANCE?
LOOK, I'M AN AMERICAN CITIZEN, I'M A GUN OWNER.
I HAVE A CONCEALED CARRY PERMIT.
I CARRY A GUN FOR PROTECTION.
THE BEST WAY TO STOP A BAD GUY WITH A GUN IS WITH A GOOD GUY
WITH A GUN.
>> STEPHEN: OKAY, THAT LOOKS STUPID AND CRUEL, BUT THAT
COULD JUST BE A FALSE FLAG OPERATION BY ANTIFA TO GET US TO
THINK MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE IS A CHILD-HARASSING PSYCHOPATH.
LUCKILY, SHE WON'T HAVE MUCH TIME TO YELL AT THE KIDS ABOUT
HER GUNS, BECAUSE HOUSE REPUBLICANS JUST APPOINTED
GREENE TO THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.
OH, COME ON!
THE LADY WHO DENIES SCHOOL SHOOTINGS IS IN CHARGE OF
EDUCATION?
WHY NOT JUST APPOINT SURGEON GENERAL JOE CAMEL?
"WARNING: SMOKING CAN MAKE YOU DANGEROUSLY COOL."
NOW, I HEAR YOU ASKING, SURE, MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE HAS SAID
AND DONE SOME HORRIBLE THINGS ON EARTH, BUT IT'S NOT LIKE SHE HAS
ANY CRAZY IDEAS ABOUT OUTER SPACE?
FIRST OF ALL, THAT'S A CRAZY QUESTION, AND SECOND OF ALL,
YES, SHE DOES.
IN THE MIDST OF THE DEVASTATING CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES OF 2018,
MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE WENT ON FACEBOOK AND CLAIMED THAT THE
REAL AND HIDDEN CULPRIT BEHIND THE FIRE WAS A LASER FROM SPACE
TRIGGERED BY SOME NEFARIOUS GROUP OF PEOPLE.
WHO STARTED THE FIRE?
SO FAR, THE ONLY PERSON WE CAN RULE OUT IS BILLY JOEL-- HE'S
GOT AN AIRTIGHT ALIBI!
BUT CLAIMS LIKE THESE REQUIRE PROOF, RIGHT?
WELL, HERE'S MARJY'S EVIDENCE: "ODDLY, THERE ARE ALL THESE
PEOPLE WHO HAVE SAID THEY SAW WHAT LOOKED LIKE LASERS OR BLUE
BEAMS OF LIGHT CAUSING THE FIRES."
THAT'S AN EMBARRASSING WAY TO ADMIT YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF
LIGHTNING "AND THEN THE SOCIALIST
LIZARDMEN SHOT JAGGED LASERS OUT OF A CLOUD.
THAT ANGERED THE SKY SO IT WENT "ROAR!" AND THE SKY WEPT.
AND THEN, THANKS TO Q-ANON, THE SKY STOPPED CRYING AND A RAINBOW
APPEARED.
AND WE SHOT OUR GUNS AT IT BECAUSE RAINBOWS ARE GAY.
THE DEFENSE RESTS."
SO WHERE DO THESE FICTIONAL SPACE LASERS COME FROM?
WELL, ACCORDING TO CONGRESSWOMAN MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE, IT COULD
HAVE BEEN A BEAM FROM "SPACE SOLAR GENERATORS."
A "SPACE SOLAR GENERATOR."
SO, THE SUN?
SO WHO IS TO BLAME?
ACCORDING TO THE HONORABLE REPRESENTATIVE CRAZY-PANTS
MCGEE, THERE ARE PLENTY OF FOLKS TO POINT AT AND SHRIEK,
INCLUDING A VICE CHAIRMAN AT "ROTHSCHILD INC, INTERNATIONAL
INVESTMENT BANKING FIRM."
WAIT, THE ROTHCHILDS AND INTERNATIONAL BANKERS
CONTROLLING HIGH ENERGY WEAPONS IN LOW ORBIT?
WHAT COULD SHE POSSIBLY BE IMPLYING?
>> JEWS IN SPACE!
(ECHOES) >> STEPHEN: THANK YOU, MEL.
AND OF COURSE, EVERYBODY KNOWS IT'S EASY TO IDENTIFY SPACE
JEWS-- THEY'RE THE ONES WHOSE ROCKETS HAVE A BRIS.
>> LET'S GET BACK TO THE THING I WAS TALKING ABOUT AT THE TOP OF
THE SHOW.
YOU SEE, THE CHAOS CONTINUES ON WALL
STREET AS HEDGE-FUND TITANS LOSE BILLIONS TO REDDIT TRADERS
RUNNING AMOK.
AHH, THAT'S TERRIBLE.
THOSE POOR HEDGE FUND MANAGERS.
NOW MIGHT BE A GOOD TIME TO INVEST INTO WHOEVER
MANUFACTURERS THE WORLD'S TINIEST VIOLINS.
HERE'S WHAT'S GOING ON.
LATE LAST YEAR, TWO HEDGE FUNDS STARTED SHORTING STOCK IN THE
RETAIL STORE GAMESTOP.
MEANING, THEY HAD BET AGAINST IT AND NEEDED IT TO DROP IN PRICE
FOR THEIR INVESTMENTS TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
YOU MIGHT HAVE SEEN A SIMILAR CONCEPT IN THE MOVIE "THE BIG
SHORT," OR ITS POPULAR VIDEO GAME SPIN-OFF, "GRAND THEFT
PENSION FUND."
UNFORTUNATELY FOR THE HEDGE FUNDS, AGAIN, WHOSE BUSINESS
MODEL IS "I THINK YOUR COMPANY SUCKS AND I HOPE YOU (BLEEP)
DIE," SMALL INVESTORS STARTING BUYING THE STOCK, LED BY
SOMETHING CALLED "WALL STREET BETS," A POPULAR, JUVENILE,
FOUL-MOUTHED REDDIT PAGE.
SO A REDDIT PAGE.
HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED -- REDDIT HAS A LOT OF GAMERS WHO
HAVE A SOFT SPOT FOR GAMESTOP WHICH ISN'T IN GREAT SHAPE AS A
COMPANY.
AND WHEN "WALL STREET BETS NOTICED THAT HEDGE FUNDS HAD
TAKEN A LARGE SHORT POSITION IN GAMESTOP STOCK, THEY DECIDED TO
PUNISH THE WALL STREET BIG BOYS AND LAUNCHED A COORDINATED
BUYING SPREE."
NORMALLY, WHEN IT'S TIME FOR WALL STREET BIG BOYS TO BE
PUNISHED, THEY HAVE TO PAY MISTRESS ELECTRA.
THE REVOLUTIONARIES ON REDDIT ARE ALSO SPANKING WALL STREET'S
ASS, BECAUSE SHARES OF GAMESTOP HAVE RISEN OVER 1,700% SINCE
DECEMBER, AND BY YESTERDAY, IT HAD GONE FROM A MARKET VALUE OF
$2 BILLION TO $24 BILLION.
I BELIEVE WE HAVE FOOTAGE OF GAMESTOP'S MANAGEMENT COLLECTING
THEIR EARNINGS: ♪
NOW, THAT METEORIC RISE IS A
DISASTER FOR THESE BIG WALL STREET HEDGE FUNDS, BECAUSE
HERE'S HOW SHORTING WORKS.
LET'S SAY YOU THINK THE PRICE OF BEANIE BABIES IS GOING TO CRASH.
BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE THEY WERE HOT.
SO YOU BORROW YOUR FRIEND'S "PINCHERS THE LOBSTER" BEANIE
BABY, AND SELL IT ON EBAY.
YOUR FRIEND ISN'T UPSET, BECAUSE YOU'RE GIVING THEM A DOLLAR,
PLUS YOU'VE PROMISED TO RETURN A LOBSTER BEANIE ABY TO THEM AT
SOME POINT.
AND IF IT GOES UP INSTEAD OF DOWN, YOU'LL GIVE THEM A LOT
MORE MONEY AS COLLATERAL ON THAT BEANIE BABY.
YOU FIGURE, NO ONE COLLECTS THESE ANYMORE, YOU'LL ACTUALLY
BUY ONE AT A LOWER PRICE AND POCKET THE DIFFERENCE.
BUT WHILE YOU'RE DOING THIS, A GROUP ON REDDIT COLLECTIVELY
DECIDES THAT BEANIE BABIES ARE VALUABLE, AND THEY REALLY DON'T
LIKE YOU.
SO THEY DECIDE TO BUY UP ALL THE BEANIE BABIES.
THE PRICE EXPLODES.
NOW YOU OWE YOUR FRIEND A TON OF MONEY, WHICH YOU HAVE TO PAY IN
BEANIE BABIES, WHICH YOU CAN'T GET BECAUSE REDDIT BOUGHT THEM
ALL, AND SO THE PRICE GOES SKY-HIGH, WHICH MEANS YOU OWE
EVEN MORE MONEY IN EVEN MORE BEANIE BABIES, WHICH DRIVES UP
THE PRICE EVEN MORE.
THAT GOES UP IN A RECURSIVE LOOP, WHICH MEANS YOU COULD
THEORETICALLY LOSE INFINITE MONEY.
AGAIN, IN BEANIE BABIES, WHICH YOU KNOW ARE WORTHLESS, WHICH IS
WHY YOU BET AGAINST THEM!
THAT'S WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THESE HEDGE FUNDS.
SO FAR, GAMESTOP SHORT-SELLERS HAVE LOST $5 BILLION.
ON THE BRIGHT SIDE, IF ANY HEDGE FUND BROS ARE OUT OF WORK, I
KNOW OF A PLACE THAT MIGHT BE HIRING.
SO, WALL STREET'S NOT HAPPY.
SEE, THEY LOOK DOWN ON THE REST OF US.
IN FACT, ON WALL STREET, INDIVIDUAL INVESTORS ARE OFTEN
DERIDED AS "DUMB MONEY."
NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH THE SHORT-LIVED $4 BILL FEATURING
STEVE URKEL.
AND THEY THINK IT'S UNFAIR THAT SOMEONE ELSE GETS TO BULLY
PEOPLE WITH PILES OF MONEY.
AS ONE SHORT-SELLER BITTERLY PUT IT, "I DIDN'T REALIZE IT WAS
THIS CULT-LIKE."
(AS TRADER) "THOSE REDDIT PEOPLE ARE A TOTAL
CULT.
NOW, FELLOW TRADERS, LET US READ THE GOSPEL OF ADAM SMITH, AND
THEN SING TODAY'S OPENING HYMN:
KLANG-KLANG-KLANG-KLANG-KLANG!" AMEN.
SO NOW, THESE HEDGE-BROS ARE SCREAMING FOR SOMEBODY, ANYBODY
TO STOP THEIR BLEEDING.
AND TODAY, GAMESTOP CLOSED DOWN 44%, IN PART, BECAUSE A LOT OF
COMPANIES RESTRICTED STOCK SALES, AND THE TRADING APP
ROBINHOOD STOPPED USERS FROM TRADING GAMESTOP STOCKS
ENTIRELY.
YES, EXACTLY WHAT ROBIN HOOD IS KNOWN FOR, LOOKING OUT FOR THE
RICH GUYS.
HEDGE FUNDS HAVE ALSO BEEN ASKING WHETHER REDDITORS
ORGANIZING ONLINE LIKE THIS COULD BE CONSIDERED MARKET
MANIPULATION.
OH!
YOU'RE ALL FOR UNFETTERED CAPITALISM, UNLESS YOU LOSE?
COME ON GUYS, THERE'S NO MANIPULATION!
THIS IS JUST THE INVISIBLE HAND OF THE MARKET, EXTENDING YOU AN
INVISIBLE MIDDLE FINGER.
WHAT?
ON THE OTHER HAND, NO ONE REALLY KNOWS HOW THIS IS GOING TO END.
ESPECIALLY SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI.
>> WELL, I UNDERSTAND-- IT'S INTERESTING, ISN'T IT?
I UNDERSTAND THE ADMINISTRATION IS TAKING A LOOK, THE S.E.C. IS
TAKING A LOOK AT WHAT THAT IS.
WE'LL ALL BE REVIEWING IT.
IT IS INTERESTING.
>> STEPHEN: THAT IS ONE WAY TO PUT IT.
IT CERTAINLY GRABS THE ATTENTION THAT A HORDE OF FINANCIAL
INTERNET GAMERS HAS MADE THE BLOATED PLUTOCRATS SOIL THEIR
HUGO BOSSES BECAUSE THEY'VE UNLOCKED THE DIGITAL PITCHFORK.
BUT DON'T WORRY, HEDGE FUND MANAGERS.
I'M SURE, OVER TIME, ALL THE MONEY THESE REDDITORS ACCUMULATE
WILL TRICKLE DOWN.
YOU'VE JUST GOT TO BE PATIENT AND UNTIL THEN, PULL YOURSELF UP
BY YOUR COCAINE STRAPS.
WE'VE GOT A GREAT SHOW FOR YOU TONIGHT.
MY GUESTS ARE VIGGO MORTENSEN, AND "NEW YORK TIMES" COLUMNIST
CHARLES BLOW.
BUT WHEN WE RETURN, "MEANWHILE!" STICK AROUND.
♪♪♪
>> Stephen: WELCOME BACK,
EVERYBODY!
LET'S SAY HELLO TO OUR BAND LEADER AND YOURS MR. JON
BATISTE.
HELLO, JON, HOW ARE YA?
>> Jon: I'M GOOD.
THAT'S A HAPPY SOUND.
I LOVE HAPPY SOUNDS.
>> Stephen: THAT IS.
YOU KNOW, THERE JUST ISN'T ENOUGH KAZOO IN POPULAR MUSIC.
MAYBE THAT'S WHY I STILL HAVE THE WILL TO LIVE.
IT'S -- IT'S A CHALLENGING SOUND, THE KAZOO, YOU HAVE TO
ADMIT.
>> Jon: OH, YES.
IT'S AN ACQUIRED TASTE, I'LL SAY.
BUT IT'S VERY JOVIAL, TO SAY THE LEAST.
>> Stephen: IT IS.
IT'S LIGHT-HEARTED.
IT DON'T TAKE ITSELF SERIOUSLY, AND NEITHER SHOULD WE.
>> Jon: THAT'S RIGHT.
>> Stephen: DO YOU HAVE ANY NON-KAZOO-BASED MUSIC YOU MIGHT
BE ABLE TO FAVOR THIS FAIR AUDIENCE WITH?
( LAUGHTER ) >> Jon: YES, INDEED!
♪♪♪ >> Stephen: THAT'S THE SIDE
YOU ALWAYS WALK ON!
JON BATISTE, EVERYBODY.
THANKS, JON.
>> Jon: YES, INDEED.
>> Stephen: FOLKS, I SPEND MOST OF MY
TIME SPECIAL ORDERING THE DAY'S NEWSIEST, MOST TOPICAL
COMPONENTS, LIKE A TENTH-GEN INTEL CORE I9 C.P.U., A GIGABYTE
X-570 AORUS XTREME MOTHERBOARD AND N-VIDIA G-FORCE RTX 3090
GRAPHICS CARD, THEN CAREFULLY MOUNTING IT ALL IN A TEMPERED
GLASS CASE WITH LIQUID COOLING, R.G.B. LIGHTING, AND 750-WATT
P.S.U. TO BUILD FOR YOU THE SLEEK, OVER-CLOCKED, CUSTOM
GAMING P.C. THAT IS MY MONOLOGUE.
BUT SOMETIMES, SOMETIMES, FOLKS, I LIKE TO HUFF A COUPLE
WHIPPETS, HOP THE RAZOR WIRE AT THE GARBAGE DUMP, STRIP THE
CABLES OUT OF AN OLD LITE BRITE, STEAL THE BATTERY PACK FROM A
DISCARDED R.C. COPTER, AND RUN THEM TO THE CRACKED SCREEN OF A
BUSTED-OUT FLIP-PHONE TO CREATE THE RIVERSIDE VAGRANT TETRIS
CONSOLE OF NEWS THAT IS MY SEGMENT:
"QUARANTINEWHILE!" QUARANTINE-WHILE, NEW RESEARCH
SHOWS THAT SMOOSHY-FACED CATS CAN'T SHOW EMOTION.
OH NO!
THEY CAN'T EXPRESS THEIR FULL RANGE OF NORMAL CAT EMOTIONS,
FROM SCORNFUL, TO CONDESCENDING, TO "REALLY, YOU'RE GOING OUT
DRESSED LIKE THAT?" QUARANTINE-WHILE, A MAN IN
BRAZIL RECENTLY DISCOVERED A ROCK FORMATION THAT LOOKS LIKE
COOKIE MONSTER THAT COULD FETCH $10,000.
WHICH EXPLAINS THIS RECENT EPISODE:
>> "C IS FOR CASH NOW GIVE ME MY MONEY
OHH, GIMME, GIMME GIMME MY MONEY!
C IS FOR CASH.
NOW GIVE ME MY MONEY, OH, GIMME, GIMME, GIMME MY MONEY!
>> STEPHEN: THE MAN FOUND THE CRYSTAL MUPPET IN THE BRAZIL
REGION OF RIO GRANDE DO SUL.
WHICH IS SESAME CANON.
WE ALL REMEMBER THE INFAMOUS EPISODE WHERE COOKIE MONSTER
WENT TO RIO AND GOT A FULL BRAZILIAN.
QUARANTINE-WHILE, EXCITING TECH NEWS: "MICROSOFT HAS FILED A
PATENT TO CREATE CHATBOTS THAT IMITATE DEAD PEOPLE" BY
COLLECTING "IMAGES, VOICE DATA, SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS, AND
ELECTRONIC MESSAGES," THEN "SIMULATE HUMAN CONVERSATION
THROUGH VOICE COMMANDS AND/OR TEXT CHATS."
SO THEY'RE BUILDING THESE BASED ON PEOPLE'S INTERNET PRESENCE?
GET READY FOR A MILLION CHATBOTS THAT ARE VACATIONING IN GREECE,
GREAT AT NETWORKING, AND AN UNCLE WITH A HOT TAKE ON BLACK
LIVES MATTER THAT YOU SHOULD BE OKAY WITH BECAUSE IT'S ALL ABOUT
TOLERANCE, RIGHT?
THIS IS NOT A GOOD IDEA.
IF YOU BUILT A CHATBOT BASED ON MY INTERNET ACTIVITY, YOU'D
THINK ALL I CARED ABOUT WAS J.R.R. TOLKIEN AND BOATS.
WHEN IN REALITY, I ALSO ENJOY ALCOHOL.
QUARANTINE-WHILE, AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC, IT
WAS ASSUMED THAT IN NINE MONTHS THERE'D BE A HISTORIC BABY BOOM.
WELL, IN FACT, AMERICA HAS ENTERED A PANDEMIC-INSPIRED BABY
BUST.
TURNS OUT, NO ONE IS SAYING, "HEY, YOU KNOW WHAT BEING
TRAPPED IN THIS TINY APARTMENT WITH YOU PUTS ME IN THE MOOD
FOR?
A SCREAMING INFANT."
QUARANTINE-WHILE, IN OREGON, HEALTH WORKERS STUCK IN THE SNOW
ADMINISTERED CORONAVIRUS VACCINE TO STRANDED DRIVERS."
THEY EVEN "WALKED FROM CAR TO CAR WITH VACCINE DOSES THAT
WOULD EXPIRE IN SIX HOURS."
OH, AND EVERYONE SAYS "DON'T STAND BY THE HIGHWAY LETTING
STRANGERS INJECT YOU WITH DRUGS."
WELL, WHO'S CRAZY NOW?
STILL ME?
BECAUSE OF THOSE DRUGS?
FINE.
ALSO, GOOD LUCK TALKING THE HOSPITAL INTO GIVING YOU YOUR
SECOND DOSE IN FOUR WEEKS.
"NO, NO, IT'S COOL.
I'M ALL CLEAR FOR MY SECOND SHOT.
I GOT MY FIRST ONE FROM SOME DUDE ON I-95.
SEEMED LEGIT.
I THINK HE WAS RAISING MONEY FOR HIS BASKETBALL TEAM."
THE SURPRISE VACCINE APPOINTMENT HAD SOME MOTORISTS ESPECIALLY
PUMPED.
ACCORDING TO ONE HEALTH WORKER, "WE HAD ONE INDIVIDUAL WHO WAS
SO HAPPY, HE TOOK HIS SHIRT OFF AND JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR."
THAT SOUNDS LIKE A BRO WHO FINDS ANY EXCUSE TO GO SHIRTLESS.
WE CAN ALL SEE YOU WORK OUT, BUDDY.
THERE IS NO NEED TO TAKE YOUR SHIRT OFF FOR A VACCINE.
THEY DON'T PUMP IT IN YOUR NIPPLES.
WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH VIGGO MORTENSEN.
♪♪♪
>> Stephen: HEY, EVERYBODY!
WELCOME BACK TO "A LATE SHOW."
MY FIRST GUEST IS A THREE-TIME ACADEMY AWARD NOMINEE YOU KNOW
FROM "EASTERN PROMISES," "CAPTAIN FANTASTIC," AND OF
COURSE, "THE LORD OF THE RINGS" TRILOGY.
HE NOW MAKES HIS DIRECTORIAL DEBUT WITH THE NEW FILM,
"FALLING."
>> OH, GOD...
PULL, PULL.
YOU PULL.
PULL, DAD.
OH!
>> DAD, YOU CAN'T SMOKE IN HERE.
LET'S LET YOUR MOTHER SLEEP FOR A WHILE.
IT'S VERY EARLY.
>> GOOD IDEA.
>> Stephen: PLEASE WELCOME BACK TO "A LATE SHOW," VIGGO
MORTENSEN.
VIGGO, GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.
>> HI, HOW ARE YA?
>> Stephen: FOR ANYONE CONFUSED AT HOME, I'M THE ONE IN
THE GREEN SHIRT, VIGGO IS IN THE BLUE SHIRT.
PEOPLE WILL GO, WHICH ONE IS VIGGO?
>> IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME.
>> Stephen: I GET IT.
NOW, WE DON'T SEE YOU ENOUGH.
IT'S BEEN TOO LONG SINCE YOU HAVE BEEN HERE, AND IT'S ALWAYS
A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU.
NOT ONLY BECAUSE I'M A FAN OF YOUR WORK, BUT IT'S GREAT TO
HAVE A RENAISSANCE MAN HERE.
YOU DO IT ALL.
YOU'RE AN ACTOR.
YOU'RE A POET, I HAVE SEVERAL COLLECTIONS OF YOUR POETRY.
YOU'RE A PHOTOGRAPHER, YOU'RE A PAINTER AND NOW A DIRECTOR.
WHAT IS IT LIKE FOR YOU TO BE DIRECTING YOUR FIRST FILM, TO BE
ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LENS?
WHAT ARE YOU, DIRECT, THINK OF VIGGO MORTENSEN ACTOR.
IS THAT GUY A PRIMA DONNA?
>> HE WAS VERY OBEDIENT.
HE NEVER GOT TO THE SET LATER THAN I DID.
NEVER.
HE WAS ALWAYS ON TIME.
>> Stephen: THAT'S IMPORTANT.
IF I WAS ON TIME, HE WAS ON TIME.
>> Stephen: BUT, SERIOUSLY, HOW DOES IT CHANGE YOUR VIEW OF
YOUR SORT OF MOST FAMOUS PROFESSION, WHICH IS ACTING, TO
BE THE DIRECTOR?
DO YOU VIEW YOUR ART ANY DIFFERENTLY NOW THAT YOU SEE THE
NEEDS OF DIRECTING?
>> WELL, WHEN I GO TO THE MOVIES, AND I HAVE BEEN GOING A
LOT, WHERE I AM RIGHT NOW, YOU CAN GO TO THE MOVIES --
>> Stephen: WAIT A SECOND.
I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT YOU'RE IN EUROPE.
NO ONE'S TOLD ME WHAT COUNTRY YOU'RE IN.
YOU'RE IN A COUNTRY THAT CAN SHOW MOVIES.
THE ONLY ONE I KNOW OF IS IN NEW ZEALAND, AND THAT'S NOT IN
EUROPE.
>> WE HAVE BEEN SEEING MOVIES SINCE LAST AUGUST.
>> Stephen: DO YOU SPEAK THE LANGUAGE OF THE COUNTRY YOU'RE
IN?
>> I DO.
>> Stephen: THATDOESN'T HELP BECAUSE YOU SPEAK SEVEN
LANGUAGES.
>> I'M IN SPAIN, AT THIS MOMENT.
>> Stephen: OH, OH.
WELL...
HOLA.
>> HOLA.
( SPEAKING SPANISH ) YEAH.
IN FACT, "FALLING" WAS ACTUALLY ABLE TO BE SEEN IN MOVIE
THEATERS.
IT WAS THE COUNTRY WHERE "FALLING" CAME OUT.
IT CAME OUT THE SECOND OF OCTOBER.
IT'S BEEN RUNNING FOR MONTHS.
IT'S LIKE AN I AN INDY HIT.
>> Stephen: TELL ME WHAT IT'S ABOUT.
>> I'VE WRITTEN SCREEN PLAYS AND "FALLING" TOOK ME THREE TRIES
AND ABOUT FOUR OR FIVE YEARS BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO SHOOT IT.
AND THE REASON I STARTED WRITING IT, IT WAS RIGHT AFTER MY MOM
DAD, AND SHE HAD HAD DEMENTIA, LIKE THE MAIN CHARACTER
HENDRICKSON IN MY STORY DOES, HE PLAYS MY FATHER.
THERE'S A LOT OF THAT.
MY MOM, DAD, BOTH SIDES, WE'RE RIDDLED WITH DEMENTIA, OUR
FAMILY.
AND THAT WAS SOMETHING I WANTED TO EXPLORE.
BUT IT WAS -- WHEN MY MOM DIED, I JUST WANTED TO REMEMBER
EVERYTHING ABOUT HER.
I LOVED HER AND I STILL LOVE HER AND I GUESS IN A WAY I WANTED TO
KEEP THAT FLAME ALIVE, BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS VERY PRESENT, VERY
ALIVE, YOU KNOW, WHEN THEY DIE.
SOUNDS TERRIBLE, BUT, YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST VERY IMMEDIATE, ALL
THESE IMAGES OF HER AT DIFFERENT AGES AND THE STORIES ABOUT HER
THAT YOU HEAR THAT MORE OR LESS COINCIDE WITH YOURS.
SO I WANTED TO WRITE THEM DOWN, THESE IDEAS, THESE MEMORIES, AND
I STARTED WRITING, BUT IT BECAME A FICTIONAL STORY, WHICH I GUESS
I FELT FREER TO WRITE THAN THE DOCUMENTARY THING WHERE I WOULD
HAVE TO CALL MY BROTHERS AND SAY DID THIS HAPPEN?
WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN?
WHO SAID THAT?
I SAID, I'M JUST GOING TO MAKE IT UP AND USE THE FEELINGS, A
FEW MEMORIES, A FEW INCIDENTS, BUT IT'S A MADE-UP STORY.
THAT'S HOW THAT CAME ABOUT.
I HAVE KEPT THAT FLAME ALIVE, THAT WOUND OPEN, I GUESS, THE
MEMORY OF MY MOM AND MY DAD BY MAKING THE MOVIE AND EDITING IT,
EVEN TALKING ABOUT IT RIGHT NOW, I CAN SEE HER, AND THAT'S WHAT I
WANT.
>> Stephen: THAT'S A TRUE AND PROFOUND THING, THE FLAME ALIVE
AND WOUND OPEN IS THE SAME THING.
YOU WOULDN'T WANT ANYONE TO TAKE IT AWAY FROM YOU BECAUSE THE
PAIN IS ALSO PART OF THEM.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
>> Stephen: THIS IS ALSO THE 20th ANNIVERSARY RELEASE OF
THE FELLOW SHIP, THE FIRST "THE LORD OF THE RINGS" FILM.
WHAT STRUCK YOU ON SEEING EVERYBODY?
HAD YOU ALL BEEN TOGETHER IN A WHILE?
>> I'VE SEEN NOT ALL OF THEM.
I'VE SEEN SOME OF THEM.
THE HOBBITS.
I'VE SEEN ORLANDO BLOOM NOW AND THEN.
I'VE SEEN SEAN BEAN A FEW TIMES, YOU KNOW, BUT NOT ALL OF THEM.
IT WAS WONDERFUL.
I THINK THE THING LASTED AN HOUR, A COUPLE OF HOURS.
IT COULD HAVE GONE ON 20, 30 HOURS FOR ME.
I MEAN, THERE WERE SO MANY MORE THINGS I WANTED TO ASK ABOUT.
I DON'T KNOW, I HOPE WE CAN DO IT AGAIN.
IT WOULD BE NICE TO GET TOGETHER, LIKE IN NEW ZEALAND,
IDEALLY, WITH EVERYONE.
IT WAS GREAT.
IT WAS A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE, NOT JUST BECAUSE OF THE FRIENDSHIPS
OR THAT IT WAS BASED ON THE AMAZING TOLKIENS BOOK, BUT
SEEING JACKSON AND IT DID NEW ZEALANDERS WHO HADN'T HAD
EXPERIENCE, CERTAINLY NOT ON A BIG MOVIE, LEARNING AS THEY WENT
ALONG AND PETER JACKSON FIGURING OUT HOW TO GET PAST OBSTACLES,
SOLVE PROBLEMS EVERY DAY, BIG ONES, LITTLE ONES.
WELL, LET'S MAKE UP A SHOT, DO SOMETHING NOBODY'S EVER DONE.
IT WAS ALMOST EVERY DAY.
IT WAS, LIKE, A WIDE OPEN, CRAZY, FILM SCHOOL, REALLY.
>> Stephen: I LOVE THE DESCRIPTION.
I'VE HEARD IT DESCRIBED AS THE MOST EXPENSIVE LOW-BUDGET FILM
BECAUSE THE SCOPE WAS SO GREAT EVEN THOUGH THE BUDGET WAS SO
ENORMOUS.
THEY SPENT EVERYTHING MAKING IT THE BEST FILM YOU COULD.
I'M JUST BOND RICK, HAVE YOU EVER WATCHED ALL THE FILMS IN
THE EXTENDED EDITION?
HAVE YOU SEEN EVERYTHING?
>> ALL THE ONES.
>> Stephen: NO, JUST HAVE YOU SEEN THE EXTENDED EDITIONS?
SOME AN TORSE DON'T WATCH THEMSELVES.
>> I TAKE THE BAD WITH THE OKAY.
YOU LEARN WATCHING, AND I KNOW SOME PEOPLE CAN'T, BUT YOU KNOW
ONE.
YOU ARE THE FOREMOST EXPERT -- >> Stephen: FAN, MAYBE NOT
EXPERT.
MAYBE FAN.
>> I WOULD SAY YOU ARE THE PERSON THAT I KNOW OF IN THE
WORLD WHO IS THE MOST CONSUMED WITH ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING
THAT HAS TO DO WITH PETER JACKSON'S "THE LORD OF THE
RINGS" TRILOGY.
>> Stephen: I WOULD CHANGE ONE THING IN THE SENTENCE -- I AM
MOST NOURISHED, NOT CONSUMED.
>> OKAY.
>> Stephen: I UNDERSTAND YOU AND I HAVE SOMETHING COMMON,
OBVIOUSLY IT'S LIKE FRATERNAL TWINS, IS THAT WE BOTH HAVE
VERTIGO.
>> I DO HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF THAT.
YOU HAVE THAT?
>> Stephen: I ACTUALLY HAD A LITTLE ATTACK WHILE WE WERE
TALKING JUST NOW.
I WASN'T SURE -- LITERALLY DOWN WAS THAT WAY FOR A MINUTE.
IT COMES AT TIMES I CAN'T EXPLAIN.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD IT?
>> MY MOTHER HAD IT REALLY BADLY.
SHE COULDN'T GET UP ON A -- YOU KNOW, STAND ON A CHAIR WOULD BE
TORTUROUS.
I NEVER HAD IT WHEN I WAS A KID.
MAYBE I REMEMBER ONE TIME I CLIMBED UP THIS STEEP HILL AND
THEN I DIDN'T -- I WAS YELLING AND SCREAMING, I WAS VERY
LITTLE, I DIDN'T DARE CLIMB DOWN AND MY DAD HAD TO COME GET ME.
OTHER THAN THAT, I ALWAYS CLIMBED TREES, MOUNTAINS,
EVERYTHING, DIDN'T THINK ABOUT IT.
AND AS AN ADULT, IT HIT ME ONCE IN A WHILE.
THE FIRST TIME IT HIT ME BADLY WAS DURING "THE LORD OF THE
RINGS."
I WAS DOING THE SECOND MOVIE, THE BATTLE FOR HELMS DEET.
THE SCENE WITH US AT NIGHT, IT WAS WET AND RAINY.
THERE WAS A STAIRWAY A LITTLE OVER A FOOT WIDE, NO RAILING,
GOING UP THE SIDE OF A WALL.
THERE'S A SCENE WHERE I'M FIGHTING MY WAY UP TRYING TO GET
TO THE TOP, AND THERE ARE ALL THESE ORKS COMING DOWN, AND I'M
FIGHTING THEM ALL THE WAY UP.
ONE THROWS A SPEAR SIDEWAYS AND I THROW MY LEGS OVER AND LEAPT
OVER THE PRECIPICE AND KEPT GOING.
THEY SAID, TAKE A BREAK, AND REST A LITTLE.
EVERYBODY WAS RUSHING DOWN.
I TURNED AND WAS GOING DOWN THE STAIRS AND I SUDDENLY GOT IT
REALLY BADLY AND I FROZE.
PEOPLE WAITING, ALL THESE ORK AC FORCE TRYING TO GET PAST ME.
AND I JUST GOT AGAINST THE WALL LIKE THAT, AND I SAID, GO AHEAD,
GO BY, GO BY.
I WAS LOOKING OUT AT THE NIGHT SKY, I COULDN'T GO DOWN.
THEY GO, WILL YOU ALL RIGHT?
YEAH, I'M FINE, RESTING, RELAXING.
I WAS SO TENSE.
I FINALLY CURLED AROUND.
I JUST HAD TO LOOK AT THE STONE.
I WAS LIKE A SPIDER AGAINST THE WALL.
AND THEN EVERYBODY HAD LEFT.
SO IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT I WAS UP THERE DOING THIS AND PEOPLE ARE
GOING VIGGO, ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?
YEAH, I'M FINE, I'M JUST -- >> Stephen: JUST REALLY IN
CHARACTER.
JUST STAYING IN CHARACTER.
>> HAVE A CUP OF COFFEE.
DO YOU WANT ME TO THROW YOU SOMETHING UP THERE?
I SAID, NO, JUST THE IMAGE OF CATCHING SOMETHING OVER THIS
ABYSS, YOU KNOW.
IT WAS HORRIBLE, AND I WAS REALLY THINKING I DON'T EVEN
WANT TO GO DOWN, MUCH LESS DO I WANT TO FIGHT ON THESE STAIRS.
AND I'M DREADING WHEN THEY ALL HAVE TO COME UP AND TROOP PAST
ME AGAIN TO GET INTO POSITION.
SOMEHOW I GOT THROUGH IT BUT IT WAS REALLY HORRIBLE.
>> Stephen: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, "FALLING" IS IN
SELECT THEATERS AND ON DEMAND NEXT FRIDAY.
VIGGO MORTENSEN, EVERYBODY!
WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH "NEW YORK TIMES" JOURNALIST
CHARLES BLOW.
♪♪♪ ♪
♪♪♪ >> Stephen: WELCOME BACK,
EVERYBODY.
MY NEXT GUEST IS AN AUTHOR, JOURNALIST, AND OPINION
COLUMNIST AT THE "NEW YORK TIMES."
PLEASE WELCOME CHARLES BLOW!
CHARLES, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.
>> I'M HAPPY TO BE HERE.
>> Stephen: NOW, AN OPINION COLUMNIST SOUNDS -- HEY, IT'S A
GREAT OUTLET BUT IT ALSO SOUNDS LIKE A CHALLENGE.
THERE MUST BE TIMES WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE AN OPINION, WHERE
YOU'RE, LIKE, AH, I GOT NOTHING.
WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?
>> I COULD WRITE THAT.
I COULD ACTUALLY SAY, I HAVE NOTHING, AND MAKE A COLUMN OUT
OF IT.
I THINK I'VE DONE THAT ONCE OR TWICE.
>> Stephen: WELL, YOU HAVE A LOT RIGHT NOW.
YOU HAVE NO SHORTAGE OF OPINIONS RIGHT NOW, AND A LOT OF THEM ARE
IN THE NEW BOOK, "THE DEVIL YOU KNOW."
I'LL PUT IT RIGHT THERE SO WE GET THE BIG SHOT OF IT RIGHT
OVER THERE.
AND IT'S A VERY SPECIFIC CALL TO ACTION.
EXPLAIN TO THE PEOPLE WHAT YOU'RE PROPOSING HERE.
>> I'M SUGGESTING THAT PEOPLE REVERSE THE GREAT MIGRATION.
THE GREAT MIGRATION WAS THE OUTFLOW OF BLACK PEOPLE FROM THE
RURAL SOUTH TO THE BIG CITIES OF THE NORTH AND WEST.
NEARLY HALF OF ALL BLACK PEOPLE LEFT THE SOUTH DURING THE GREAT
MIGRATION.
>> Stephen: THEY LEFT FOR OPPORTUNITY AND TO ESCAPE JIM
CROW OF THE SOUTH.
>> A PUSH AND PULL.
P PULL ALWAYS MORE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY.
A LOT OF YOUNG WHITE MEN HAD GONE TO FIGHT IN WORLD WAR I AND
WORLD WAR II IN THE SECOND WAVE, AND FOR THE ABILITY TO BE PART
OF THEIR CIVIC ENVIRONMENT.
THE PUSH WAS THAT, IN THE BEGINNING, THE COTTON CROP
FAILED BECAUSE OF THE BOWL WEEVIL INFESTATION, BUT, MORE
IMPORTANTLY, THERE WAS WHITE TERROR.
THEY WERE BEING TERRORIZED OUT OF THE PLACE THEY HAD BEEN.
>> Stephen: WHAT IS YOUR PROPOSED FLIP OF THE PUSH AND
THE PULL?
IS IT A NEW SOUTH IN OBVIOUSLY, MUCH HAS CHANGED IN THE SOUTH
SINCE THE START OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ERA.
GEORGIA JUST HAD ITS FIRST BLACK SENATOR, BASICALLY THE REPUBLIC
WAS JUST SAVED BY BLACK VOTERS, ESPECIALLY JIM CLYBURN IN
SOUTH CAROLINA JOE BIDEN IS THE GUY.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE NEW SOUTH WOULD BE MOST BENEFICIAL
TO BL BLACK AMERICANS?
>> IT'S ABOUT THE SAME.
HALF OF THE LIST IS IN THE SOUTH, WHERE BLACK AMERICA IS
THRIVING.
THE BROOKINGS INSTITUTE LOOKS AT WHERE MIDDLE INCOME IS
INCREASING, MUCH IS IN THE SOUTH.
YOU LOOK WHERE BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES ARE THRIVING, THE
NUMBER ONE IN THE COUNTRY IS IN THE SOUTHEAST.
THAT'S PART OF THE PULL.
THE PUSH, JUST LIKE THE CRASH TO HAVE THE COTTON INDUSTRY, THE
PANDEMIC MAY WELL BE PART OF THE PUSH BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, IN THE
SECOND QUARTER OF LAST YEAR WHEN WE BASICALLY SHUT DOWN THE
ECONOMY OF AMERICA, THE PLACES HIT HARDEST, MANY OF THEM WERE
THOSE PLACES IN THE NORTH AND WEST WHERE BLACK PEOPLE HAVE
MIGRATED TO.
THE BLACK UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN CHICAGO IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF
LAST YEAR WAS THREE TIMES THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE OF BLACK
PEOPLE IN ATLANTA.
>> Stephen: YOU LIVE IN ATLANTA NOW.
>> YES, I DO.
>> Stephen: IT'S AN EXAMPLE OF HOW THE SOUTH IS CHANGING, HOW
THERE'S DYNAMIC NEW ECONOMIES IN THE SOUTH.
WHERE ELSE IN THE SOUTH IS IT CHANGING?
WHERE ARE THE BEING DRAWS RIGHT NOW?
>> WELL ONE THING IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER IS THE FIRST TIME
ATLANTA GOT A BLACK MAYOR WAS 1973, AND THAT WAS THE FIRST
CITY IN ALL OF THE SOUTH TO HAVE A BLACK MAYOR, AND THEY DID IT
BECAUSE, IN 1970 WAS THE FIRST YEAR ATLANTA BECAME A MAJORITY
BLACK CITY.
NOW THERE ARE 1200 MAJORITY BLACK CITIES IN AMERICA, 90% OF
THEM ARE IN THE SOUTH.
ALMOST EVERY MAJOR CITY IN THE SOUTH NOW HAS A BLACK MAYOR, AND
THESE ARE YOUNG PEOPLE, DYNAMIC PEOPLE.
THE WHOLE CULTURE OF POLITICS IN THE SOUTH IS CHANGING.
THE NEXT STEP IS TO TAKE THAT FROM A MUNICIPAL LEVEL TO A
STATE LEVEL, AND THAT IS WHAT GEORGIA PROMISES US BECAUSE THIS
IS A STATEWIDE ELECTION ON THE PRESIDENTIAL LEVEL AND THE
SENATE LEVEL AND, IN BOTH THOSE CASES, BLACK PEOPLE WERE THE
MAJORITY OF THE COALITION THAT WOULD FLIP THE STATE FOR JOE
BIDEN, AND BLACK PEOPLE WERE THE MAJORITY OF THE COALITION THAT
SENT THOSE TWO SENATORS TO CONGRESS, AND IT WAS THE FIRST
TIME IN AMERICAN HISTORY THAT BLACK PEOPLE HAVE BEEN A
MAJORITY OF A COALITION TO SEND SENATORS TO CONGRESS.
>> Stephen: WHAT DOES THE RESEARCH SUGGEST THE POLITICS IN
AMERICA TO BE LIKE IN THE GREAT MIGRATION HADN'T HAPPENED, IF WE
STILL -- IF ALL THOSE BLACK PEOPLE HAD STAYED THERE
THROUGHOUT THE 20th CENTURY?
>> SO IF THEY HAD STAYED, AND IF YOU HAD STILL GOTTEN THE CIVIL
RIGHTS ACT AND THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT, THEY COULD CONTROL UP TO 14
AMERICAN SENATORS.
THEY COULD CONTROL MORE ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTES THAN
CALIFORNIA AND NEW YORK STATE COMBINED.
YOU WOULD NOT HAVE HAD -- IF THEY VOTE ALL OF THAT THE SAME
WAY THEY VOTE TODAY, YOU WOULD NOT HAVE HAD A REPUBLICAN
PRESIDENT IN THE LAST 50 YEARS.
THE ENTIRE SUPREME COURT WOULD LOOK DIFFERENT.
HILLARY CLINTON WOULD HAVE WON IN 2016, EVEN IF SHE HAD LOST
EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THE MIDWESTERN STATES.
>> Stephen: WE HAVE TO TAKE A QUICK BREAK, BUT WHEN WE RETURN
I WILL ASK CHARLES WHAT IT WAS THE LIKE TO TAKE HIS OWN ADVICE
AND MOVE BACK SOUTH.
♪ ♪
MA♪♪♪
♪♪♪
>> Stephen: HEY, EVERYBODY,
WE'RE BACK WITH THE AUTHOR OF "THE DEVIL YOU KNOW," CHARLES
BLOW.
I KNOW THAT YOU GREW UP IN THE SOUTH AND WORKED IN NEW YORK FOR
26 YEARS AND NOW YOU'RE BACK IN THE SOUTH.
WHAT HAS THAT MEANT TO YOU, YOUR LIFE AND, WELL, JUST TO THE
EXPERIENCE OF LIVING FOR YOU TO BE BACK IN THE SOUTH?
>> I GREW UP IN ONE OF THOSE MAJORITY BLACK CITIES, RIGHT,
AND, SO, COMING BACK TO A PLACE LIKE ATLANTA, I UNDERSTAND IT.
IT FEELS VERY MUCH LIKE HOME, AND IT FEELS -- BLACK PROSPERITY
IS NOT AN ANOMALY.
WHERE IT DOESN'T FEEL LIKE THE POLICE ARE HUNTING YOU.
WHERE IT FEELS LAKE THE GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO BE
RESPONSIVE TO YOU.
THAT'S AN AMAZING FEELING.
WHEN I TELL PEOPLE -- TALK TO PEOPLE ABOUT MOVING BACK, THEY
GIVE ME A WHOLE LITANY OF REASONS WHY THEY MIGHT NOT WANT
TO DO IT.
I SAY I UNDERSTAND THOSE, AND I HAVE ANOTHER LIST OF WHY YOU
SHOULD DO IT.
WHAT I'M TELLING THEM IS I'M NOT SUGGESTING THAT YOU'RE GOING TO
MOVE BACK INTO A UTOPIA.
IF BLACK MAJORITIES PRODUCE UTOPIAS, EVERY PERSON IN AMERICA
WOULD BE PROSPERING NOW BECAUSE EVERY STATE HAS BEEN MAJORITY
WHITE.
NO MATTER WHAT -- IF YOU GET A BLACK MAJORITY, YOU'RE STILL
GOING TO HAVE POVERTY, FOOD INSECURITY AND INCOME
INEQUALITY, BUT IN THE AGGREGATE, THE PEOPLE WHO DON'T
HAVE TO LIVE UNDER WHITE SUPREMACY ARE GOING TO DO BETTER
THAN THOSE WHO DO.
I JUST WANT TO HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF HAVING REGULAR
WHITE PEOPLE PROBLEMS.
>> Stephen: WELL, CHARLES, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING
HERE.
>> THANK YOU.
I APPRECIATE IT SO MUCH.
>> Stephen: THE BOOK IS "THE DEVIL YOU KNOW."
IS AVAILABLE NOW.
CHARLES BLOW, EVERYBODY!
WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.
♪♪♪
>> Stephen: THAT'S IT FOR "A LATE SHOW," EVERYBODY.
TUNE IN TOMORROW FOR A SPECIAL, RARE FRIDAY LATE SHOW
CELEBRATING PRESIDENT BIDEN AND VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS.
JAMES CORDEN IS NEXT.
GOOD NIGHT.
♪♪♪ >> Stephen: I'VE GOT
Captioning sponsored by CBS Captioned by
Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org
A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS I WANT TO ASK YOU,
WE'RE WAY OVER TIME BUT -- >> WHY CAN'T THIS SHOW BE
LONGER?
>> Stephen: TELL JAMES CORDEN THAT HE CAN HAVE THE SECOND HALF
OF THIS INTERVIEW BUT I GET TO ASK THE QUESTIONS.
>> OKAY.