A New Chapter for Stephen Colbert
As the curtain begins to close on his long-running late-night show, The Late Show, Stephen Colbert has opened up about the celebrities who have left a lasting impression on him. In a recent episode of the “Strike Force Five” podcast, Colbert shared some surprising confessions about the stars who have made him feel flustered and even a little out of his depth.
The Unexpected Attraction
Colbert started by talking about Michelle Williams, who he admitted caught him completely off guard. “I’ll tell you who I did not expect to be wildly attracted to,” he said. “Like, I didn’t know what to do with myself. I didn’t know what to do with my eyeballs when Michelle Williams was on for the first time.” He described how her presence during the interview left him in a state of confusion, saying, “She sat down across from me and I went, ‘F—. What is wrong with my head? I’d better not look directly at her for this entire interview.’”
He continued, “There was something about her vibe. Her face. Everything. … She’s so beautiful.”
More Celebrities That Left Him Speechless
Williams wasn’t the only celebrity who had Colbert feeling out of his element. He also mentioned Rachel Weisz, recalling how she used to cause him some serious anxiety. “I used to have a Rachel Weisz problem,” he said. “I’ve recovered. When Rachel Weisz would be on The Daily Show, I would leave the building for fear I would say something stupid. I was afraid I would stand in the hallway and go, ‘Hi.’”
Colbert also added that Rebecca Ferguson and Andrew Garfield were among the stars who left him feeling particularly smitten. “Rebecca Ferguson brings game. Andrew Garfield, he is so attractive,” he said.
The Final Episode is Real
The May 13 episode of the “Strike Force Five” podcast marked the first time the group had reunited since 2023. They came together to celebrate the upcoming final episode of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. Fallon asked if the end of the show had truly sunk in yet, and Colbert responded, “It’s super real. I’ve sunken into it, actually. What I’ve said is the rising tide of emotion has reached my chin, and now, the only thing to do is take a deep breath and swim like h— to May 21.”
Looking ahead, Colbert admits he feels like a “college senior” as people are curious about what he will do next.
A Farewell Full of Kisses
Before signing off, Colbert has been sharing some memorable moments with his celebrity guests. Over the past week, he has received on-air kisses from stars such as Jimmy Fallon, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Pedro Pascal. Previous liplocks included Andrew Garfield, Sally Field, Helen Mirren, Alison Janney, and Jeff Daniels.
“I don’t think we made out with Jane Fonda, but she stuck her tongue in my ear,” Colbert recalled with a laugh.
A Legacy That Will Live On
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert first premiered in 2015 and will come to an end on May 21 due to financial reasons, according to CBS. There has been speculation that political factors may have played a role, given Colbert’s frequent criticism of former President Donald Trump.
The show has been a staple of late-night television for over 30 years. David Letterman hosted the program from 1993 to 2015 before passing the torch to Colbert. As the final episodes approach, fans are reflecting on the legacy of the show and the impact it has had on both the entertainment industry and the public.
