SUPREME COURT OVERTURNS ROE V. WADE.
>> THIS TO ME IS THE MOST UNPOPULAR SUPREME COURT DECISION
OVERTURNING ROE V. WADE OF ANY CONTROVERSIAL DECISION THAT I
CAN TRULY RECALL OR LOOK UP IN THE POLLING.
>> THE REPUBLICAN DYSTOPIAN CHORE SUS PROUD TO PRESENT-- .
♪ THIS LAND IS MY LAND. ♪ THIS LAND IS MY LAND.
♪ IT IS ALSO MY LAND. ♪
THIS LAND BELONGS TO ME AND ME SNOATS
IT'S THE LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT!
TONIGHT RONAN FARROW, WANDA SYKES.
FEATURING JON BATISTE AND STAY HUMAN.
AND NOW LIVE ON TAPE FROM THE ED SULLIVAN THEATER IN NEW YORK
CITY, IT'S STEPHEN COLBERT! (CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
. >> Stephen: HAPPY MONDAY, WHAT
IS UP, LEWIS. GOOD TO SIGH, GOOD TO SIGH.
>> HELLO, HELLO. HELLO.
PLEASE V A SEAT. THANK YOU.
Stephen: WELCOME TO, "THE LATE SHOW."
EVERYBODY HERE, EVERYBODY OUT THERE EVERYBODY WATCHING FROM
NEW ZEALAND, I'M YOUR HOST, STEPHEN COLBERT.
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE) >> LOVELY PEOPLE.
>> Stephen: NOW I DON'T KNOW, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU GUYS WERE
WATCHING LAST WEEK, SINCE OUR LAST SHOW, WE'VE
CHANGED LOCATIONS. ON THURSDAY, WE WERE IN THE ED
SULLIVAN THEATER. AND TONIGHT, WE'RE IN MEDIEVAL
TIMES EVERYONE GETS HALF A CHICKEN AND A PITCHER OF SPRITE.
BECAUSE ON FRIDAY MORNING, LED BY SAMUEL ALITO, THE SUPREME
COURT OVERTURNED ROE V. WADE, REVERSING ALMOST 50 YEARS OF
PRECEDENT. ( AUDIENCE ERUPTS IN BOOING )
SO, REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS IN AMERICA LASTED FOR LESS TIME
THAN THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS. JACK ABBOTT'S EVIL TWIN IS GONNA
BE SO SHOCKED WHEN HE COMES OUT OF HIS FIFTH COMA.
ITS DRAFT OPINIONING WAS WE LEASED BACK IN.
I READ IT OVER THE WEEKEND, AND BASICALLY ALL THAT HAS CHANGED
SINCE THEN IS THE FONT. THE SUPREME COURT WENT FROM
TIMES NEW ROMAN TO VERY OLD TIMES ROMAN.
SO, THE THING IS, I ALREADY DID AN ENTIRE MONOLOGUE ON THIS
EXACT RULING, A MONTH AND A HALF AGO.
IT'S PRETTY GOOD, YOU SHOULD GO CHECK IT OUT.
I'M REALLY MAD AT THOSE GUYS FOR ALL THE JOKES THEY THOUGHT OF
BACK THEN. THEY WOULD REALLY HAVE BEEN
HELPFUL TO HAVE TONIGHT. DAMN YOU, SLIGHTLY YOUNGER ME
NOW, EVERYBODY'S TALKING ABOUT OVERTURNING ROE V. WADE, BUT
THIS DECISION ALSO OVERTURNS PLANNED PARENTHOOD V. CASEY,
WHICH WAS THE 1992 CASE THAT UPHELD ROE.
AND THE HEART OF THAT CASE IS THIS: PEOPLE OF GOOD CONSCIENCE
CAN DISAGREE ON THIS PROFOUND MORAL AND PHILOSOPHICAL ISSUE,
BUT, THE COURT SAID, OUR OBLIGATION IS TO DEFINE THE
LIBERTY OF ALL, NOT TO MANDATE OUR OWN MORAL CODE.
THE UNDERLYING CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUE IS WHETHER THE STATE CAN
RESOLVE THESE PHILOSOPHIC QUESTIONS IN SUCH A DEFINITIVE
WAY THAT A WOMAN LACKS ALL CHOICE IN THE MATTER.
AND WHAT THE COURT APPEARS TO BE DOING NOW IS MANDATING ITS OWN
MORAL CODE. OF COURSE, THEY MIGHT ARGUE, NO
WE DIDN'T. WE SPECIFICALLY ENDED OUR
OPINION BY SAYING, WE RETURN THE ISSUE OF ABORTION OVER TO THE
PEOPLE'S ELECTED RPRESENTATIVES.
HAVE YOU MET THE PEOPLE'S ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES?
I HAVE. LOUIE GOHMERT IS ONE OF THEM.
I'M NOT SURE IF HE KNOWS WHERE BABIES COME FROM BUT EVEN THE
FACT-- FACT THAT WE GOT A LEAKED COPY 8
WEEKS AGO DID NOT EMOTIONALLY PREPARE THE COUNTRY FOR LAST
FRIDAY'S SEISMIC SHIFT. IN ITS POLITICAL LANDSCAPE
BECAUSE, WITH THIS RULING, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY, THE
SUPREME COURT HAS ELIMINATED AN ESTABLISHED CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT
INVOLVING THE AUTONOMY TO DECIDE WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR BODY.
AND HAVING MORE PERSONAL RIGHTS IS KIND OF AMERICA'S THING.
WE INVENTED IT. AMERICANS HAVING RIGHTS TAKEN
AWAY IS LIKE K.F.C. CHANGING THEIR SLOGAN FROM, "WE DO
CHICKEN RIGHT," TO, "THERE IS NO CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO CHICKEN.
"IT'S FINGER LICKIN' GONE!" THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND-- .
IN THE DECISION, ALITO NOTED THAT ABORTION IS NOT DEEPLY
ROOTED IN THIS NATION'S HISTORY AND TRADITION AND THEREFORE IS
NOT PROTECTED AS A RIGHT. HEY, SAM, MAYBE NOT EVERYTHING
WE DO IN AMERICA HAS TO BE INSPIRED BY THE STUFF THEY DID
200 YEARS AGO. THAT'S WHY THE C.D.C. HASN'T
RELEASED GUIDELINES ON HOW TO TREAT MONKEYPOX WITH
LEECH-CRAFT. TURNS OUT TAKING AWAY RIGHTS
FROM TAKING AWAY RIGHTS WASN'T POPULAR
THIS WEEKEND, PROTESTS ERUPTED EVERYWHERE FROM WASHINGTON DC TO
NEW YORK, SAN FRANCISCO, DENVER, BOSTON, PHILADELPHIA, EVEN SALT
LAKE CITY. LOOK AT THAT CROWD IN SALT LAKE
CITY. (APPLAUSE)
DO YOU KNOW HOW HARD IT IS TO BE TOO CONSERVATIVE FOR UTAH?
THEY THINK JAZZ IS BASKETBALL. IN FACT, IN RECENT POLLS, MORE
THAN EIGHT IN 10 AMERICANS BELIEVE ABORTION SHOULD BE LEGAL
TO SOME DEGREE. BUT WE KNOW MAJORITIES DON'T
MATTER. THAT'S HOW WE GOT THIS SUPREME
COURT. THIS RULING HAD IMMEDIATE
-- (APPLAUSE)
WHAT'S GOING ON HERE. THIS RULING HAD IMMEDIATE
CONSEQUENCES. AS SOON AS IT HAPPENED, MULTIPLE
STATES EITHER PARTLY OR FULLY BANNED ABORTION BY ENACTING WHAT
ARE CALLED, TRIGGER LAWS. TRIGGER BECAUSE THEY GO INTO
EFFECT IMMEDIATELY, NOT THAT THEY CONTROL GUNS.
YOU CAN'T TAKE AWAY A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT.
THESE LAWS VARY GREATLY, BUT -- TRIGGERS.
THESE LAWS VARY GREATLY, BUT MULTIPLE STATES ARE TRYING TO
STEM THE FLOW OF ABORTION-INDUCING PILLS BY
MAKING THEIR SHIPMENT THROUGH THE MAIL ILLEGAL.
THAT'S PRETTY SMART, BECAUSE IF THEY BAN THE PILLS, THE ONLY WAY
AROUND THAT WOULD BE IF SOMEONE IN AMERICA WERE WILLING TO SELL
DRUGS ILLEGALLY. WHICH MY LAWYERS SAY, I HAVE NO
KNOWLEDGE OF. SO IF SOMETHING'S ILLEGAL,
THERE'S GOTTA BE A PUNISHMENT, RIGHT?
LET'S ASK THIS POLITICIAN, WHO I AM SURE NEVER PAID FOR ANYONE'S
ABORTION. >> THE ANSWER IS THAT THERE HAS
TO BE SOME FORM OF PUNISHMENT. >> FOR THE WOMAN.
>> YEAH, THERE HAS TO BE SOME FORM.
>> Stephen: PLEASE. FOUR YEARS OF YOU WAS PUNISHMENT
ENOUGH. (APPLAUSE)
SO, WHAT WILL THE PUNISHMENT BE? REPUBLICANS DON'T WANT THAT
QUESTION. A LEAKED MEMO FROM THE NATIONAL
REPUBLICAN SENATORIAL COMMITTEE SAID, OUR POSITION SHOULD BE
BASED IN COMPASSION AND REASON. REPUBLICANS DO NOT WANT TO THROW
DOCTORS AND WOMEN IN JAIL. MOTHERS SHOULD BE HELD HARMLESS
UNDER THE LAW. I DON'T UNDERSTAND, HELD
HARMLESS BUT ILLEGAL? I CAN UNDERSTAND WHY YOU
WOULDN'T WANT WOMEN TAKEN AWAY IN CUFFS, BECAUSE THAT WOULD BE
SUPER UNPOPULAR. SO WHAT'S IT GONNA BE?
A FINE? 150 BUCKS AND TWO POINTS ON YOUR
SEX LICENSE? 'CUZ THERE'S GONNA HAVE TO BE A
SEX LICENSE. CAN YOU IMAGINE WHAT THE LINES
ARE GOING TO BE LIKE AT THE SEX D.M.V.?
THIS IS A TERRIBLE PICTURE MY PENIS IS BLINKING BUT WE GOTTA
DO IT, BUT HOW ELSE CAN YOU KEEP TRACK OF WHO COULD POSSIBLY BE
PREGNANT? THEY'RE GONNA HAVE TO INSTALL
THOSE RED LIGHT CAMERAS IN YOUR BEDROOM.
OR IF IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY, ON THE KITCHEN COUNTER.
IT'LL BE LIKE MANDATORY ONLYFANS.
BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE BAD, BECAUSE EXPERTS SAY BIRTH
CONTROL RESTRICTIONS COULD FOLLOW ABORTION BANS, AND EXPECT
STATES TO CHALLENGE EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION, I.U.D.s,
AND PLAN B. WHICH MEANS FOLKS NOT WANTING TO
GET PREGNANT WILL HAVE TO RELY ON PLAN C: SAMUEL ALITO NAKED.
100 PERCENT EFFECTIVE. (APPLAUSE)
I BET I LOOK LIKE THAT. DID THEY USE MY BODY?
DID THEY USE MY BODY IN THAT NOTTEE.
ABORTION BANS COULD ALSO PUNISH THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE IN
IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION. EXPLAINS TV'S HOTTEST NEW CRIME
PROCEDURAL: "LAW AND ORDER: IVF."
>> IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, WOMEN ARE PROSECUTED FOR
TWO SEPARATE, YET EQUALLY STUPID REASONS; 'NOT' WANTING TO HAVE
CHILDREN AND WANTING TO HAVE CHILDREN.
THE WHOLE THING IS, "DUMB DUMB." OF COURSE,
THROWING THIS BACK DOWN TO THE STATES IS ALREADY CREATING SO
MUCH CHAOS AND CONFUSION THAT MANY WOMEN IN AMERICA DON'T KNOW
WHAT THE COURT ALLOWS THEM TO DO ANYMORE.
AD FOR THOSE WOMEN, HERE'S A WORD FROM OUR NEWEST SPONSOR.
>> WHAT'S IT GOING TO SAY? I CAN'T TAKE THIS ANY LONGER.
>> WHEN YOU'RE WONDERING HOW THE RECENT SUPREME COURT RULING WILL
EFFECT YOU, IT'S TIME TO REACH FOR THE CLEAR RIGHTS HOME TEST.
THE ONLY AT-HOME KIT DESIGNED TO ALERT YOU WHETHER YOU GET TO
MAKE YOUR OWN DECISION. >> OKAY BUT IT'S MY BODY.
>> IS IT? TAKE THE TEST AND FIND OUT.
JUST GO INTO A BATHROOM, DO WHATEVER GIRLS DO IN THERE, THEN
WAIT FIVE MINUTES AND ASK YOUR HUSBAND TO READ THE RESULTS.
>> OH I DON'T HAVE A HUGS. >> YEAH, THERE'S A SHOCKER.
OUR DIGITAL DISPLAY WILL GIVE YOU FAST RESULTS LIKE POSITIVE
FOR RIGHTS. POSITIVELY NO RIGHTS.
REPLY HAZY, TRY AGAIN AND ASK THE FEDERALIST SOCIETY.
>> WAIT, WHY ARE RIGHTS IN MY PEE.
>> I DON'T KNOW Y ARE BABIES IN PEE.
>> IT SAYS I HAVE RIGHTS. OH WAIT, OFFER NOT VALID IN
ALABAMA, ARIZONA, ARKANSAS, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, IDAHO,
INDIANA. >> AND OUR SUPREME VERSION COMES
WITH A LITTLE PICTURE OF JUSTICE SAMUEL ALITO ON THE STICK.
OH NO, YOU CAN'T REUSE THAT. >> NO OH NO, I JUST WANT TO PEE
ON HIM AGAIN. >> YOUR RIGHTS HOME TEST, ON THE
MAKERS OF IS YOUR GAY MARRIAGE LEGAL?
COMING SOONER THAN YOU THINK. >> Stephen: WE'VE GOT A GREAT
SHOW FOR YOU TONIGHT, MY GUESTS ARE WANDA SYKES AND
RONAN FARROW. BUT WHEN WE COME BACK,
"MEANWHILE." JOIN US, WON'T YOU?
♪
>> Stephen: GIVE IT UP FOR THE BAND, EVERYBODY, RIGHT THERE.
VERY BEAUTIFUL. THAT'S VERY BEAUTIFUL.
(APPLAUSE). >> Stephen: SO ONE OF THE
GREATEST TV SONGS OF ALL TIME, YOU IS THE YOU KNOW WHO IS
COMING IN ON THE BACKGROUND. >> THE JACKSON FIVE.
>> Jon: THE JACKSON FIVE SINGING DO DO WAP.
>> IT SAYS JACKSON FIVE SING IT WITH ME NOW.
>> Jon: IT'S AMAZING AM I THINK YOUR VERSION IS BETTER.
DON'T TELL STEVIE. TONIGHT WE HAVE TWO WONDERFUL
GUESTS, A GREAT COME ED YEN, WANDAR SYKES IS HERE TONIGHT AND
HE IS THE POLLSTER-- PULITZER PRIZE WINNING NEW YORKER WRITER
RONAN FARROW IS HERE TONIGHT. IS THAT A YOU CAN PULITZER PRIZE
SOMETHING. IF YOU WATCH THIS SHOW, YOU KNOW
I SPEND MOST OF OF MY TIME, RIGHT OVER THERE,
CAREFULLY POURING THE DAY'S HOTTEST STORIES OVER THE
PAINSTAKINGLY GROUND FRESHEST TAKES TO CRAFT FOR YOU THE
FINEST STONEWARE MUG OF RICH SULAWESI TARAJA COFFEE THAT IS
MY MONOLOGUE. BUT SOMETIMES I COME-TO CURLED
UP IN A RECYCLING BIN IN A HOT TOPIC BREAK ROOM, GATHER SOME
HALF EMPTIES, AND MIX THEIR REMNANTS IN A PLASTIC SKULL TO
CREATE THE RADIOACTIVE MOUNTAIN DEW EXTREME SLUDGE OF NEWS THAT
IS MY SEGMENT: "MEANWHILE!" TSA RSJA.
MEANWHILE, TRAFFIC WAS SNARLED LAST WEEK WHEN A TRACTOR-TRAILER
HAULING CHEESE CAUGHT FIRE IN NORTHEAST OHIO.
EMERGENCY CREWS WERE IMMEDIATELY DEPLOYED WITH BREAD CHUNKS AND
FONDUE FORKS. AUTHORITIES SAY THE SITUATION IS
STABLE AND DELICIOUS. MEANWHILE, IN ORDER TO EXPOSE
SECURITY FLAWS, A RESEARCHER HACKED INTO THE BACKEND OF
'JACUZZI BRAND' SMART HOT TUBS. THOUGH FOR THE RECORD, HACKING
INTO THE BACK END HAPPENS A LOT IN HOT TUBS.
(LAUGHTER) (APPLAUSE)
MEANWHILE, A NEW HAMPSHIRE DISTILLERY IS TURNING INVASIVE
CRABS INTO WHISKEY. MUCH BETTER THAN THE USUAL
PROCESS: TURNING WHISKEY INTO INVASIVE CRABS.
THE COMPANY SAID IT TEAMED UP WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW
HAMPSHIRE'S N-H GREEN CRAB PROJECT TO DEVELOP THE WHISKEY,
WHICH IS BILLED AS BEING MADE WITH A BOURBON BASE STEEPED WITH
A CUSTOM CRAB, CORN, AND SPICE BLEND MIXTURE.
RESULTING IN A NEW TECHNOLOGY CALLED SOUP.
MEANWHILE, IN NOODLE NEWS: KRAFT MACARONI AND CHEESE IS CHANGING
ITS NAME AFTER 85 YEARS. WHICH IS ALSO HOW LONG THAT BOX
OF IT HAS BEEN SITTING IN YOUR GRANDMA'S PANTRY.
"IT'S STILL PERFECTLY GOOD, DEAR."
THERE'S NO EXPIRATION DATE ON 'ORANGE.'
SO WHAT'S THE NEW NAME? WELL, SAY GOODBYE TO KRAFT
MACARONI AND CHEESE AND SAY HELLO TO -- DRUMROLL PLEASE --
( DRUMROLL ) KRAFT MAC & CHEESE.
ACCORDING TO KRAFT, THE NEW MONIKER IS MEANT TO REFLECT THE
WAY FANS ORGANICALLY TALK ABOUT THE BRAND.
YES, THEY WANTED TO REFLECT THE WAY FANS SEE THEIR BRAND.
WHICH IS WHY THEY ALMOST CHANGED THE NAME TO:
KRAFT MACARONI AND CLINICAL DEPRESSION.
(APPLAUSE) MEANWHILE, ACCORDING TO NEW
RESEARCH, THE MITES THAT LIVE AND BREED ON YOUR FACE HAVE
ANUSES. WHAT'S UP, SCIENCE?
ARE YOU JUST THROWING MAGNETIC TERROR POETRY AT A FRIDGE NOW?
OH LOOK, HERE'S A NEW RESEARCH PAPER: THE SPIDERS THAT LAY EGGS
IN YOUR MOUTH WHILE YOU SLEEP ARE ALSO SCIENTOLOGISTS.
RESEARCHERS SEQUENCED THE GENOME OF THE COMMON SKIN MITE BECAUSE
IT'S NOT THAT WELL UNDERSTOOD: SOME RESEARCHERS HAVE ARGUED,
FOR INSTANCE, THAT THESE MITES LACK AN ANUS, BUT THE
RESEARCHERS BEHIND THE NEW STUDY SAY THEY'VE CONFIRMED THAT MITES
DO INDEED HAVE AN ANUS. ONCE AGAIN, SCIENCE:
THE CURE FOR CANCER. WE THERE YET?
NO? THEN MAYBE WE BACK-BURNER THE
WHOLE DO MITES HAVE AN ANUS THING.
I DON'T EVEN WANT TO KNOW I HAVE MITES ON MY FACE.
MEANWHILE, MY VIEWERS NORTH OF THE BORDER ARE IN FOR A, I'M
GONNA SAY TREAT? BECAUSE IN CANADA, FRENCH'S JUST
UNVEILED A KETCHUP-FLAVORED POPSICLE CALLED
THE FRENCH-SICLE. AND AFTER YOU FINISH THE KETCHUP
FLAVORED POPSICLE, THE POPSICLE STICKS HAVE FUN SAYINGS ON THEM
LIKE, "ARE YOU OKAY?" SPEAKING OF CONDIMENTS, CLIMATE
CHANGE AND PRICE HIKES ARE HITTING DIJON MUSTARD.
NOW REMEMBER, IF IT'S NOT MADE IN THE DIJON REGION OF FRANCE,
IT'S ONLY SPARKLING BROWN SPREAD.
HOTTER TEMPERATURES LEADS TO MORE INSECTS, MORE INSECTS LEADS
TO POOR SEED HARVESTS, AND POOR SEED HARVESTS LEADS TO EMPTY
SHELVES AT SUPERMARKETS. WHO NEEDS YOUR FANCY CONDIMENTS
AS A PROUD AMERICAN I'LL ONLY EAT MUSTARD IF IT'S A LEVEL OF
YELLOW THAT CAN ONLY BE DESCRIBED AS EMERGENCY FLARE.
AND THE SEED SHORTAGE IS SEVERE. FOR EXAMPLE, IN BURGUNDY, SEED
PRODUCTION HAS FALLEN FROM 12,000 TONS THREE OR FOUR YEARS
AGO TO 4,000 TONS LAST YEAR, LEADING MANUFACTURERS TO PREDICT
THOSE WHO WANT THE HIGH-END MUSTARD WILL HAVE TO PAY MORE,
IT'S TRUE. PRICES ARE SO HIGH, WE ACTUALLY
HAVE FOOTAGE OF A BLACK MARKET MUSTARD DEAL GOING DOWN.
>> GIMME THE [ BLEEP ] GREY POUPON!
>> PLEASE DON'T KILL ME! >> GREY POUPON, RIDE THE BROWN
PONY! >> Stephen: WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK
WITH WANDA SYKES.
>> Stephen: WELCOME BACK. MY FIRST GUEST IS AN EMMY
AWARD-WINNING COMEDIAN YOU KNOW FROM HER STANDUP SPECIALS, "CURB
YOUR ENTHUSIASM" AND "BLACKISH." HER NETFLIX SITCOM, "THE
UPSHAWS," RETURNS THIS WEEK FOR ITS SECOND SEASON.
PLEASE WELCOME BACK TO "THE LATE SHOW," WANDA SYKES!
>> Stephen: HELLO. >> HELLO, GREAT CROWD, GOOD TO
SEE YOU. >> Stephen: IT HAS BEEN A YEAR
SINCE YOU HAVE BEEN ON THE SHOW. >> UH-HUH.
>> Stephen: WHERE YOU BAN, WANDA?
YOU HAVE BEEN DOING. >> HAVE I BEEN ALL OVER THE
PLACE. YOU KNOW, WE SHOT THE SECOND
SEASON OF UPSHAWS AND EVERYTHING.
AND JUST BEEN, YOU KNOW, BUSY. >> Stephen: HOW ARE YOU DOING?
HOW ARE YOU DOING? >> I'M A BLACK GAY WOMAN AND
HAVE I A DAUGHTER SO I'M NOT DOING SO WELL RIGHT NOW.
(APPLAUSE) I'M A LITTLE SALTY.
>> Stephen: YOU'RE A LITTLE SALTY.
>> I'M A LITTLE SALTY RIGHT NOW, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH.
>> Stephen: PUT SOME FLAVOR ON HERE.
>> IT JUST SUCKS, MAN, IT REALLY DOES, YOU KNOW, IT'S LIKE THE
COUNTRY, IT IS NO LONGER A DEMOCRACY, RIGHT.
WE'RE-- IT IS NO LONGER MAJORITY RULES.
>> Stephen: NO, CERTAINLY NOT THE SENATE.
>> IT IS NOT T IS NO LONGER MAJORITY RULE AND I MEAN ST LIKE
THESE JUDGES, THEY JUST-- THEY BASICALLY LIED WHEN THEY WERE,
YOU KNOW, DURING THE CONFIRMATION HEARINGS, RIGHT?
>> Stephen: ESPECIALLY KAVANAUGH.
, YEAH. >> SO HOW YOU CAN BE A SUPREME
COURT JUSTICE AND YOU JUST LYING.
WHAT, THEY HAD THEIR FINGERS CROSSED OR SOMETHING, OR WHAT.
YEAH, IT'S JUST A BUNCH OF HORSE [BLEEP], IT REALLY IS.
>> Stephen: WELL, (APPLAUSE)
>> TO ME IT IS LIKE THE PROBLEM IS THAT MIDDLE STUFF.
IT IS THOSE STATES IN THE MIDDLE, THAT RED STUFF.
WHY DO THEY TELL GET TO TELL US WHAT TO DO WHERE THE MAJORITY OF
US LIVE OUT, NEW YORK, CALIFORNIA, AND WE ARE PAYING
FOR ALL THIS CRAP, REALLY. I MEAN, RIGHT?
WE'RE FOOTING THE BILL. >> Stephen: THAT'S THE UNION,
IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY BUT IT
TURNS OUT TO BE MINORITY RULE RIGHT NOW.
>> RIGHT, BUT IF WE ARE FOOTING THE BILL, YOU KNOW, AND LIKE
CALIFORNIA, IF IT WERE A COUNTRY IT WOULD BE, LIKE THE FIFTH
LARGEST, FOURTH, FIFTH LARGEST ECONOMY.
SO YOU KNOW, IF I'M FOOTING THE BILL, KNOW YOUR POSITION, YOU
KNOW WHAT I AM SAYING. FOR REAL.
LIKE LOOK, IF I SAY HEY LET'S GO OUT TO DINNER, YOU DON'T GET TO
PICK THE RESTAURANT. THAT'S UP TO ME.
(APPLAUSE). >> Stephen: YOUR LAST SPECIAL
WAS CALLED NOT NORMAL. >> RIGHT.
>> Stephen: WHICH IS SHOW YOU WERE DESCRIBING SOME OF THE
UPSETTED NATURE OF THE COUNTRY. WHAT, HOW DO THINGS, HOW IS THE
NORMAL NOW? >> I WAS WAY OFF THE MARK, HUH.
I THOUGHT THAT WAS NOT NORMAL, THIS STUFF IS CRAZY.
>> Stephen: YOU JUMPED THE GUN.
>> I JUMPED THE GUN. I THINK THINGS WOULD BE NORMAL
LIKE IF PEOPLE ESPECIALLY ELECTED OFFICIALS TRY TO
OVERTHROW AN ELECTION F THEY WENT TO JAIL, THAT WOULD FEEL
NORMAL, I THINK. THAT WOULD-- .
>> Stephen: WE HAVE TO TAKE A QUICK BREAK, WHEN WE COME BACK I
WILL ASK WANDA ABOUT HER EARLIER MEMORIES OF DOING COMEDY.
STICK AROUND.
>> Stephen: HEY EVERYBODY, WE'RE BACK HERE WITH STAR OF THE
UPSHAWS WANDA SYKES, YOU ARE BACK ON TOUR WHICH MUST FEEL
GOOD AFTER BEING OFF TOUR FOR SO LONG.
BECAUSE THESE ARE THE GREATEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD.
>> YES, THEY ARE. >> Stephen: AND YOU MAY NOT BE
ABLE TO PINPOINT THE MOMENT BUT WHY DID YOU WANT TO GET INTO
COMEDY, DID YOU HAVE A SEMINAL MOMENT FOR SNU.
>> I JUST REMEMBER GROWING UP IN AND WATCHING ALL THOSE GREAT
VARIETY SHOWS YOU HAD GROWING UP, SMOTHERS BROTHERS, ED
SULLIVAN, YES. FLIP WILSON, ALL THAT.
AND JUST SITTING WITH THE FAMILY AND LAUGHING AND LOOKING FOR MY
GRANDMOTHER LAUGH, MY MOTHER LAUGH AND I JUST, THAT ALWAYS
JUST STAYED WITH ME AND THEN AFTER COLLEGE AND EVERYTHING, I
JUST HATED EVERY JOB THAT I HAD. AND THIS WAS LIKE, THIS IS NOT
WHAT I WANT TO BE DOING THE NEXT 40 YEAR, COME ON. I JUST END UP
BEING A RAGING ALCOHOLIC IF I STAY HERE THIS LONG.
>> YOU CAN DO BOTH. >> I CAN DO BOTH.
>> A LOT OF PEOPLE DO. >> YEAH.
>> SO YEAH, SO I JUST REMEMBERED LIKE HOW MUCH I LOVED COMEDY,
HOW MUCH I LOVED MAKING PEOPLE LAUGH.
>> YOU HAVE EARLY MEMORIES OF MAKING PEOPLE LAUGH?
>> YEAH, I KNEW I HAD SOMETHING WHEN I THINK IT WAS ITS 6th,
7th GRADE, WE WERE HAVING A BLOCK PARTY AND THE NEIGHBOR
ACROSS THE STREET, ALL THE GENTLEMEN, THROWING THEM BACK A
LITTLE BIT TOO MUCH, THE MAN FOUGHT IN THE WAR AND HE FELL,
HE BUMPED, CRACKED HIS HEAD OPEN BASICALLY AND ALL THE OTHER
ADULTS WERE A LITTLE SLOSHED TOO, SO ONE WAS SOBER AND THEY
WERE LIKE WANDA GO WITH HER TO TAKE HIM TO THE MILITARY BASE
BECAUSE MY DAD'S MILITARY. SO IT WAS LIKE GO AND SHOW HER
HOW TO GET THERE AND ALL THAT STUFF.
WE DIDN'T HAVE THE WAZE BACK THEN, SO WE GET TO THE ARMY
HOSPITAL AND YOU KNOW, GETTING HIM CHECKED IN AND THE DOCTOR
SAID LOOK, WE HAVE HIS-- IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE WE SHOULD
KNOW ABOUT HIM AND I WAS LIKE I WOULDN'T PUT HIM NEAR AN OPEN
FLAME RIGHT NOW. AND THE DOCTOR FELL OUT LAUGHING
AND I WAS LIKE-- I GOT SOMETHING.
(APPLAUSE). >> Stephen: SPEAKING OF THE ED
SULLIVAN THEATER I JUST OUND OUT THAT ONE OF YOUR EARLY
COMEDIC HEROES ACTUALLY PERFORMED HERE.
AND I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED HER STUFF AND THAT'S MOM'S MAYBE.
>> YES, YES. >> Stephen: AND FOR THE PEOPLE
WHO DON'T KNOW, TELL THEM WHO MOM'S MAF ORE WAS.
>> OH MY GOD, MY HERO, BASICALLY, A COMING EDIAN, SHE
FIRST STARTED BACK IN, THEY CALLED IT THE-- SHE WAS JUST
REALLY AHEAD OF HER TIME. THE JOKES THAT SHE WOULD DO, SHE
WAS LIKE ONE OF THE FIRST COMICS WHO ACTUALLY WOULD TACK TO THE
AUDIENCE, YOU KNOW, INSTEAD OF JUST LIKE DOS LIKE JOKES, SHE
WOULD SAY LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING, KIDS AND SHE WAS LIKE
T WAS LIKE SELF-DEP RI KATEING, SOME WHAT, BUT ALSO LIKE
POLITICAL, YOU KNOW, SHE WOULD TALK ABOUT SOCIAL ISSUES.
JUST REALLY FUNNY, MEANT THE WORLD TO ME.
>> Stephen: YOU PLAYED HER IN THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAAZEL WHAT
IS THAT LIKE TO PLAY ONE OF YOUR COMEDIC HEROES.
>> FOR REAL, FOR REAL, YEAH, AND NOT ONLY DID I GET TO PLAY HER,
I GOT TO PLAY HER ON AN AMAZING SHOW LIKE MRS. MAAZEL AND WE
SHOT IT AT THE APOLLO THEATER SO MI STANDING-- AND THAT WAS MOM'S
HOME, LIKE, YOU KNOW, THAT AND D.C. BUT YEAH.
>> Stephen: WELL, YOUR NEW NETFLIX, NOT NEW BUT NEW SEASON
OF YOUR NETFLIX SHOW THE UPSHAWS RETURNS TO SEASON 2 ON
WEDNESDAY. YOU COCREATED IT THE SHOW, STAR
IN IT, AN EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, WHAT CAN WE EXPECT TO DO.
>> MORE HILARITY, WE SHOULD NAME THE SHOW THAT.
>> IT IS REALLY FUNNY, I LOVE THE SHOW, I LOVE THE WRITERS.
YOU KNOW, THE UPSHAWS ARE MESSY, A WORKING CLASS AFRICAN-AMERICAN
FAMILY IN THE MIDWEST AND AND YES T IS JUST MORE DRAMA MORE
COMEDY, JUST MORE. >> WE HAVE A CLIP RIGHT THERE.
>> LET'S SEE. >> IF I PUT SUGAR ON CORN CHIPS
THAT'S FROSTED FLAKES, RIGHT? >> JUST ADD A BANANA.
NOW GO I'M TRYING TO GET THIS PLACE STAYSENNED UP.
PEOPLE SUCK. I GRABBED THE LAST PACK OF
MARKERS AND MRS. CHERRY CAME AT ME WITH A PAIR OF SAFETY
DISISSERS. I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO IT BUT
WILL YOU SEE IT ON THE NEWS. >> THANK YOU.
>> WAIT A MINUTE, WHERE IS THE CUCUMBER.
>> LIKE I SAID, YOU'LL SEE IT ON THE NEWS.
>> Stephen: WANDA LOVELY TO SIGH, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
SEASON TWO OF THE UPSHAWS PREMIER THIS WEDNESDAY ON
NETFLIX. MS. WANDA SYKES, EVERYBODY.
WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH RONAN FARROW.
>> Stephen: HEY. WELCOME BACK, EVERYBODY.
LADIES AND GERMS, >> Stephen: MY NEXT GUEST IS A
PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING JOURNALIST AND AUTHOR OF THE
BOOKS, "WAR ON PEACE" AND "CATCH AND KILL."
PLEASE WELCOME BACK TO THE LATE SHOW, RONAN FARROW.
>> GOOD TO BE BECOME. >> GOOD TO HAVE YOU, HOW LONG
HAS IT BEEN SINCE. >> PREPANDEMIC.
>> Stephen: PREPANDEMIC. >> REMEMBER WE WERE LOCKED AND
DID ZOOM A COUPLE OF TIMES. >> THIS IS BETTER.
>> I LIKE THE SUIT. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> Stephen: 70S VIBE, WITH THE OPEN CLAR, DIK ABBOTT.
>> A LITTLE PINK FOR PRIDE. >> Stephen: NOW IT HAS BEEN A
TOUGH TIME. AND YOU SEE THE NEW HBO
DOCUMENTARY CALLED ENDANGERED, THE CHRONICLES
TEMPORARIES-- CONTEMPORARY HOSTILITY FOR JOURNALISTS AROUND
THE WORLD INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES.
WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO MAKE THIS NOW?
>> WELL, I THINK THAT FOR ANYONE WHO DOES CONFRONTING JOURNALISM,
WE FEEL VERY ACUTELY WHAT HAPPENS TO OUR PEERS, OUR
COLLEAGUES AROUND THE WORLD WHEN THEY TRY TO DO THE SAME.
I'M IN A COUNTRY STILL TO THIS DAY THAT HAS DECENT RULE OF LAW,
RELATIVELY-- WHERE YOU KNOW, I MIGHT BE GET INTIMIDATING
LEGAL THREATS, SMEAR EFFORTS BUT I AM REASONABLY CONFIDENT I'M
NOT GOING TO WIND UP DEAD THE NEXT DAY, THAT IS NOT TRUE IF
YOU ARE A JOURNALIST IN RUSSIA, PAKISTAN, A LOT OF PLACES SO IT
FELT IMPORTANT FOR ME TO DO SOMETHING THAT I'M NOT IN, BUT
THAT HUMANIZES THAT STRUGGLE FOR PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD AND
SPECIFICALLY PEOPLE IN DEMOCRACY DOING REPORTING THAT IS REALLY
IMPORTANT TO BRING UP THE ACCOUNT ABILITY AND FACING
THREATS THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN UNTHINKABLE IN THOSE COUNTRIES,
NOT THAT LONG AGO. >> BUT YOU ALSO INCLUDE UNITED
STATES IN THE DOCUMENTARY. >> YEAH, IT LOOKS AT THE FORCES
IN THE UNITED STATES THAT ARE ERODING OUR BASE OF JOURNALISM
AND FACTS THAT VOTERS CAN RELY ON.
ECONOMIC CHALLENGES FOR THE NUTION INDUSTRY THAT ARE CAUSING
CLOSURES OF NEWSROOM AFTER NEWSROOM, AND FASCIST AND
AUTHORITYIAN THREAD IN POLITICS THAT SEEKS TO DEMONIZE AND
ALIENATE THE PRESS FROM ITS PEOPLE.
>> THE PREVIOUS PRESIDENT SAID VERY SPECIFICALLY THAT HE WANTED
TO ADDRESS THE FATE OF THE PRESS SO JOURNALISTS COULD BE SUED FOR
LIABLE MORE EASILY. >> AND YOU SEE IN THIS FILM A
WONDERFUL PHOTOGRAPHER FROM ITS "MIAMI HERALD" WHO IS CONTENDING
WITH BOTH OF THOSE THINGS AT THE SAME TIME.
WADING INTO THE CROWD, FACING EVEN THREAT OF VIOLENCE, ARE YOU
SEEING THAT IN CROWDS AT SOME OF THESE MAGA EVENTS IN RECENT
YEARS. >> ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE.
>> ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE AND THAT IS NOT A NEW THING, THAT IS AN
OLD TACTIC USED BY THORN LEADERS AND WE ARE SEEING IT RESURGE
AROUND THE WORLD INCLUDE NTION THE COUNTRIES THAT WE LOOK AT IN
THIS FILM. AND THAT'S SCARY BECAUSE THAT IS
NOT AN INCIDENTAL ISSUE. THAT UNDERPINS EVERY MAJOR ISSUE
RELATED TO OUR RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS, IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE
FACTS, YOU CAN'T CREATE ACCOUNTABILITY.
>> DEMOCRACY DIES IN DARKNESS SWAS AS SOME WOULD SAY.
>> THERE IS SOMETHING TO THIS. >> I'M CURIOUS, YOU MIGHT, I AM
WONDERING WHETHER YOU HAVE GOT A-- CASE HERE BECAUSE AT ONE
TIME WAS THINKING OUR PREVIOUS PRESIDENT WAS SORT OF AN
ABERRATION, ALMOST LIKE A MUTANT WE DIDN'T EXPECT IN THE
LINEAL-- LINEAGE OF OUR PRESIDENT.
BUT THIS THORTDIAN TENDENCY IS ARISING CERTAINLY IN EVERY
HEMISPHERE IF NOT IN EVERY TIME ZONE.
WHAT IS YOUR THEORY OF THE CASE WHERE IT IS HAPPENING TO MUCH
NOW. >> I THINK IT IS LINKED TO THIS
ISSUE OF THE FREE PRESS. AND IT ALL STARTS, YOU KNOW
THERE IS A NUMBER OF FACTORS BUT I THINK IT DOES ALL START IN A
WAY WITH THE FACTS THAT PEOPLE HAVE, AND THE ECONOMIC FORCES
THAT ARE CREATING WHAT PEOPLE SOMETIMES CALL NEWS DESERTS
AROUND THE UNITED STATES. SO MANY COMMUNITIES JUST DON'T
HAVE A PAPER OF RECORD, DON'T HAVE A LOCAL PAPER AT ALL
STVMENT IN THE RISE OF SOCIAL MEDIA WHERE PEOPLE CAN LIVE IN A
LITTLE BUBBLE OF THEIR OWN FACTS THAT THEY ALREADY AGREE WITH,
WHERE PEOPLE CAN HEAR PHRASES LIKE FAKE NEWS AND IT CAN
RESONATED WITH THEM BECAUSE ALL THEY ARE GETTING EVERY DAY IS
THAT DRUM BEAT. >> Stephen: AND THOSE TWO
THINGS TOGETHER, THE NEWS DESERT AND SOCIAL MEDIA MAKE KIND OF
KILLS LOCAL NEWS AND MAKES EVERY STORY A NATIONAL STORY OR ALL
CONCERNS NATIONAL CONCERN. >> WHICH SAY TRAGEDY ON MULTIPLE
LEVELS BECAUSE THERE IS URGENT POLICY CONCERNS AT A LOCAL LEVEL
IN COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL REPORTERS IN TV AND PRINT ARE
STILL OUT THERE STRUTION ELING TO DO REALLY IMPORTANT WORK BUT
THERE IS LESS AND LESS OF IT, NOT WHAT WE NEED, AND I DID A
LOT OF REPORTING ON THE JANUARY 6th RIOTERS AND IDENTIFIED A
BUNCH OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS. AND THOSE CONVERSATIONS
REENFORCE TO ME WE NEED MORE AND BETTER REPORTING IN COMMUNITIES
AROUND THIS COUNTRY. WE NEED TO SPHORT OUR
JOURNALISTS OTHERWISE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE PEOPLE IN THIS
STATE OF RAGE AND WHO ARE VERY MAN I OUTABLE WHO WANT TO --
THESE AUTHORITYIAN ARGUMENTS. >> Stephen: WE HAVE A CLIP
HERE, YOU TALK ABOUT THE LOSS OF LOCAL NEWS, LOCAL NEWSPAPERS
THERE IS A CLIP HERE WHICH DEALS WITH THAT, WHO IS THAT DURING
THIS INTERVIEW HERE. >> THIS IS A GUARDIAN REPORTER
NAMED OLLIE, A WONDERFUL JOURNALIST AND HE HAD TO WADE
KIND OF THROUGH HELL AND BACK IN THIS FILL.
YOU WILL SEE. JIM?
>> IS MEANING THAT YOUNGSTOWN IS NOW THE BIGGEST CITY IN AMERICA
WITHOUT A LOCAL NEWSPAPER. ARE YOU UPSET BY THAT?
>> NO, IT'S JUST A SIGN OF THE TIMES.
THEY'RE A DYING INDUSTRY BECAUSE THEY ARE SO MUCH PROGRESSIVE.
WE ARE NOT LEFT WING PROGRESSIVE.
WE STOPPED BUYING THE NEWSPAPER. WE STOPPED THEM JUST HAVING ONE
POINT OF VIEW, THE DEMOCRATS. WHY I AM GOING TO PAY FOR A
PAPER THAT CALLS ME ALL KINDS OF NAMES BECAUSE I'M A CONSERVATIVE
REPUBLICAN. THAT IS WHY THEY ARE A DYING
INDUSTRY. >> DON'T YOU THINK THOUGH THAT
THIS COMMUNITY HAS A RIGHT TO HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY JOURNALISM.
THAT IS WHAT THE FUNCTION OF THAT PAPER WAS, TO HOLD THE
POWERS TO ACCOUNT. >> I DON'T BELIEVE THEY DID I'M
NOT GOING TO BUY A NEWSPAPER THAT DOESN'T REFLECT MY VIEWS.
>> SO THIS IS CENTRAL TO THE PROBLEMS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, I
THINK WHEN WE HAVE BASIC RIGHTS RIPPED AWAY FROM US, A LOT OF
THE TIME ONE OF THE CORE THINGS UNDERPINNING THAT IS THE FACTS
WE HAVE AS A PUBLIC, AN ELECTORATE AND WHO WE BRIPG IN
SOMETIMES DUE TO A LACK OF THE FACTS PENETRATING WHO WE SEE
OVER AND OVER AGAIN IN THIS PARTICULAR JOURNALY THERE ARE
FOUR CHARACTERS DEALING WITH DIFFERENT TREND LINES AND HOW IT
IMPACTS THEIR PERSONAL LIVES. AND HIS JOURNEY IS A LOT ABOUT
WADING THROUGH THAT KIND OF MISINFORMATION CULTURE.
>> WELL, ON A LIGHTER SUBJECT, THEY PAY ME FOR THE SEGUE.
YOU WRITE BOOKS, YOU REPORT FOR "THE NEW YORKER," PROJECTS ON
AUDIBLE NECO BUT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT A PROJECT YOU WERE
INVOLVED WITH FAIRLY RECENTLY. YOU WERE A JUDGE ON RUPAUL'S
DRAG RACE SEASON SEVEN. >> I WAS.
>> Stephen: HOW WOULD YOU COMPARE THIS RESPONSIBILITY TO
SOME OF THE OTHER JOBS THAT YOU HAVE DONE?
>> I MEAN ONE OF MY TOUGHEST ASSIGNMENTS AND LOOK, I WANTED
TO DO OKAY SO BADLY. I HOPE THE DRAG RACE DIE HEARTS
ARE KIND TO ME. HAVE I BEEN ASKED BEFORE, RU WAS
GRACIOUS AND WANTED ME ON SOME YEARS AGO, THE FIRST TIME I WAS
BOOKED ON THE SHOW IT WAS OCTOBER 2017, I WAS A LITTLE
BUSY AT THE TIME. >> I REMEMBER.
>> I WAS WORKING ON A STORY ABOUT HARVEY WEINSTEIN AND
GETTING SOME OF THESE-- WASN'T EATING, WASN'T SLEEPING, WAS
BEING FOLLOWED AROUND IT WAS THIS EXISTENTIAL GIANTS THING
THAT THE EDITORS OF THE NEW YORK PRER WORKING ON, I WAS WORKING
ON. AND I DID GO AT THE 11th
HOUR AND SAY WE ARE RUNG THIS STORY ON THIS DAY, THE EXACT
DAY. BUT CAN I LEAVE TO JUDGE A DRAG
PANCAKE COMPETITION. AND THEY LOOKED AT ME LIKE I WAS
COMPLETELY INSANE. AND SAID NO.
SO I WAS SO HONORED TO BE ASKED BACK AND I WAS SO EXCITED TO DO.
AND BOY, THEY'RE GREAT QUEENS ON THIS SEASON, THEY ARE ALL
WINNERS, THE THINGS YOU WILL SEE ON THIS EPISODE THAT I DID, IT
BLEW MY MIND. >> CAN EVERYONE BE A WINNER,
DON'T YOU HAVE TO JUDGE WHO THE WIN CERTIFICATE.
>> THEY ARE PICKING A WINNER T IS VERY COMPLICATED POLITICS,
STEVEN. >> RONAN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR
BEING HERE, THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS PRETENDING THE FREE PRESS, ITS
WOODWARD AND BERNSTEIN EPISODE, THE WAY YOU ARE CONSTANTLY PART
OF THAT DRUM BEAT, WE NEED IT RIGHT NOW.
>> Stephen: NICE OF YOU TO SAY, THANK YOU FOR BEING THE
FREE PRESS. >> Stephen: THE HBO DOCUMENTARY
FILM, "ENDANGERED," DEBUTS TOMORROW ON HBO AND HBO MAX.
RONAN FARROW, EVERYBODY! WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.
>> Stephen: THAT'S IT FOR THE LATE SHOW.
TUNE IN TOMORROW WHEN MY GUEST WILL BE REPRESENTATIVE
ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ. JAMES CORDEN IS NEXT.
HE'S IN LONDON. CHECK IT OUT.
GOOD NIGHT. Captioning sponsored by CBS