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    Seth Meyers Calls Trump ‘Desperate’ for Likes

    Meyers said the former president’s return to X shows he yearns “for the spotlight and for some praise or positive coverage from anyone, anywhere.”Welcome to Best of Late Night, a rundown of the previous night’s highlights that lets you sleep — and lets us get paid to watch comedy. Here are the 50 best movies on Netflix right now.‘The Worst of All Worlds’Former President Donald Trump’s conversation with Elon Musk continued to be fodder for late night jokes on Wednesday.Seth Meyers called the X livestream on Monday night “disastrous,” saying Trump only returned to the platform because he “is desperate for the spotlight and for some praise or positive coverage from anyone, anywhere.”“OK, but it’s not what it used to be, dude. That’s like going back to your old high school and finding out it’s a Big Lots now.” — SETH MEYERS“The plan backfired because the conversation was the worst of all worlds. It was insane, it was a tactical disaster and it was boring.” — SETH MEYERS“Also, I like how Musk teed up this conversation as being for open-minded independent voters. You know how independent voters are always looking for good information on the fifth-most-popular feature of a dying app. Why don’t you just hold a round table in the chat feature on Words with Friends?” — SETH MEYERS“But, sure, finally, someone speaking to the American voter who believes bacon is too expensive and nuclear war isn’t that bad.” — SETH MEYERSThe Punchiest Punchlines (V.P. Edition)“According to a new report, former President Trump is furious at his campaign staff for letting him make the ‘terrible decision of picking JD Vance as his V.P.’ Yeah, Trump regrets pairing up with Vance. He’s like, ‘This is why I always sign a prenup.’” — JIMMY FALLON“According to FiveThirtyEight, Tim Walz has a net favorability rating of plus 5, while JD Vance is at minus 9.4. I think what we get from this is, apparently, people want ‘coach’ — not ‘couch.’” — STEPHEN COLBERT“Meanwhile, ahead of the Democratic National Convention, Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are taking a bus tour together through Pennsylvania. Yeah, and this is interesting — this is interesting — it’s the same bus the Democrats threw President Biden under.” — JIMMY FALLON“Former Vice President Mike Pence said in a recent interview that he cannot endorse former President Trump because Trump wanted him to overturn the 2020 election, and he can’t endorse Kamala Harris because that’s third base, and he’s married.” — SETH MEYERSThe Bits Worth WatchingJanet McTeer imitated what it was like to work with her “Kaos” co-star Jeff Goldblum on Wednesday’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live.”What We’re Excited About on Thursday NightBillie Eilish will take The Colbert Questionert on Thursday’s “Late Show.”Also, Check This OutMissy Elliott onstage at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Monday night.Alexis SmithThe multifaceted music artist Missy Elliott’s first headlining tour in her 30-year career is as exhilarating as it is visually and theatrically ambitious. More

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    Late Night Recaps Musk’s and Trump’s Two-Hour Chat on X

    Stephen Colbert called it “a big night for weird old rich guys with no friends.”Welcome to Best of Late Night, a rundown of the previous night’s highlights that lets you sleep — and lets us get paid to watch comedy. Here are the 50 best movies on Netflix right now.Excuses, ExcusesAfter a glitchy start, Elon Musk had a two-hour conversation with former President Donald Trump on X on Monday night.Stephen Colbert called it “a big night for weird old rich guys with no friends.”“But here’s the thing about Trump doing anything on Twitter now: It just reminds people of the awful reason he was banned to begin with.” — STEPHEN COLBERTThe broadcast was delayed 40 minutes after its scheduled start, which Musk blamed on a cyberattack. Musk later implied it was done to silence Trump.“[imitating Trump] Hey, there. Lying is my thing, buddy.” — STEPHEN COLBERT“[imitating Trump] Stay in your lane, Elon. Oh wait, you can’t because you’re in a self-driving Tesla. Boom, you’re roasted by your Tesla. It’s on fire.” — STEPHEN COLBERT“It’s nice to know the guy who builds self-driving cars and spaceships hasn’t quite figured out how to broadcast a phone call.” — JIMMY FALLON“According to CNN fact checkers, former President Trump made at least 20 false claims during his interview last night with Elon Musk, starting with, ‘It’s great to be here.’” — SETH MEYERSThe Punchiest Punchlines (Sufferin’ Succotash Edition)“Elon Musk interviewed former President Trump live last night on X, and however crazy you think it was, it was crazier.” — SETH MEYERS“Also, what’s going on with his voice? He sounds like a sugared-up kid on Halloween who won’t take out his plastic vampire teeth.” — SETH MEYERS“I know the guy’s big on slurs, but this is next level.” — DESI LYDIC, guest host of “The Daily Show,” on Trump’s speech sometimes sounding slurred during the interview“[imitating Sylvester the Cat] Sufferin’ succotash!” — STEPHEN COLBERT“Can we get the guy some Fixodent?” — JIMMY FALLONThe Bits Worth WatchingThe actress Elizabeth Banks played jinx with Jimmy Fallon on Tuesday’s “Tonight Show.”What We’re Excited About on Wednesday NightThe actress Janet McTeer will sit down on Wednesday with Jeff Goldblum, her “Kaos” co-star and the guest host this week on “Jimmy Kimmel Live.”Also, Check This OutPatti Smith.Vagabond Video/Getty Images.A new documentary about Electric Lady Studios highlights the Greenwich Village institution where artists like Jimi Hendrix, Patti Smith and Frank Ocean have recorded tracks. More

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    Late Night Tackles Trump’s Obsession With Crowd Size

    “The fact that Kamala Harris is pulling such huge crowds is really getting under his, let’s call it, skin,” Stephen Colbert said of former President Donald Trump.Welcome to Best of Late Night, a rundown of the previous night’s highlights that lets you sleep — and lets us get paid to watch comedy. Here are the 50 best movies on Netflix right now.Crowd WorkFormer President Donald Trump falsely claimed in a series of posts on Truth Social that Vice President Kamala Harris had used artificial intelligence to create images and videos of large crowds at her rallies.On Monday’s “Late Show,” Stephen Colbert said that “Trump’s crowd envy has set his brain to ‘broil’” over the thousands of people confirmed to be in attendance.“[imitating Trump] Fake crowd, everybody! Many people are asking — no, many people are asking, ‘Is it cake?’” — STEPHEN COLBERT“The fact that Kamala Harris is pulling such huge crowds is really getting under his, let’s call it, skin.” — STEPHEN COLBERT“It is the definition of insanity to think that this crowd here is A.I., though I would not be surprised if Harris generated Tim Walz with A.I. by just using the prompt ‘Sympathetic Meatloaf.’” — STEPHEN COLBERT“OK, OK, that’s one of those mom-and-pop issues for the single-issue crowd size voter.” — JON STEWART“First of all, I guarantee Trump has no idea what A.I. stands for. He probably thinks it’s a steak sauce: [imitating Trump] ‘She A1-ed the crowd. She gave out free bottles of steak sauce to people on the street to get them to come in. That’s why I was there. I was wearing a Kamala T-shirt and camo hat.’” — SETH MEYERSThe Punchiest Punchlines (Olympics Edition)“Yep, the big winners at the Olympics were Team USA, China and the French pole-vaulter’s Tinder account.” — JIMMY FALLON“He didn’t medal. You know I felt bad for him, but, then again, I didn’t.” — JIMMY FALLONThe Bits Worth WatchingOn Monday, Jeff Goldblum kicked off a week of guest hosting for his neighbor, Jimmy Kimmel.What We’re Excited About on Tuesday NightThe “Saturday Night Live” star Bowen Yang will appear on Tuesday’s “Late Night.”Also, Check This OutShelby Lynne left Nashville behind two and a half decades ago. When she returned this time, she found a group of female collaborators who supported her new vision.Eric Ryan Anderson for The New York TimesThe singer-songwriter Shelby Lynne makes her return to country music with her 17th studio album, “Consequences of the Crown.” More

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    Stephen Colbert Mocks Trump for Recycling His Old Insults

    Colbert said the ex-president was “focused on the real issue gripping the country: desperately workshopping a new nickname for Kamala Harris.”Welcome to Best of Late Night, a rundown of the previous night’s highlights that lets you sleep — and lets us get paid to watch comedy. Here are the 50 best movies on Netflix right now.Who’s the Boss?Former President Donald Trump held a campaign rally in Charlotte, N.C., on Wednesday.Stephen Colbert said Trump spent most of the evening “focused on the real issue gripping the country: desperately workshopping a new nickname for Kamala Harris.”“[imitating Trump] K as in Kamala, A as in Amala, M as in Malala, A as in Ah, L as in Lyin’ Kamala — L-Y-I-N-apostrophe — oh God, I’m back at the beginning again.” — STEPHEN COLBERTColbert blasted Trump for resorting to his old “Apprentice” tagline, “You’re fired.” “That’s a 10-year-old reference!” — STEPHEN COLBERTThe Punchiest Punchlines (Biden Goes Live Edition)“Well guys, last night President Biden gave an Oval Office address and talked about his decision to drop out of the race. Things got off to a fun start when Biden said, ‘My fellow Americans, Kamala is brat.’” — JIMMY FALLON“That humility, that self-sacrifice, is so beautiful, truly patriotic and a refreshing change from the last guy.” — STEPHEN COLBERT“Once the speech was done, Biden joined staff out in the Rose Garden for ice cream. Not only was there an ice cream party, sources say President Biden also had a great time in the bouncy castle.” — STEPHEN COLBERT“By the way, can you imagine all the cool [expletive] Biden’s going to take on his way out of the White House? You got your pens, your paper clips, maybe a couple of nuclear warheads.” — LAMORNE MORRIS, guest host of “Jimmy Kimmel Live”The Bits Worth WatchingRob Lowe auditioned for the role of Kamala Harris’s running mate on Thursday’s “Tonight Show.”Also, Check This OutDavid Bowie and Rosanna Arquette in “The Linguini Incident.”IsolarRichard Shepherd’s director’s cut of “The Linguini Incident,” his low-budget, hard-to-find ’90s rom-com starring David Bowie and Rosanna Arquette, is soon to be available on Blu-ray. More

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    Stephen Colbert Wants a Kamala Harris-Glen Powell Ticket

    “I guarantee he will attract suburban women, and I already have his slogan: ‘Yes, We Glen!’” Colbert said.Welcome to Best of Late Night, a rundown of the previous night’s highlights that lets you sleep — and lets us get paid to watch comedy. Here are the 50 best movies on Netflix right now.Four More Abs!Vice President Kamala Harris raised more than $100 million ahead of her first campaign rally in Wisconsin on Tuesday.“That means that Kamala Harris had a bigger opening weekend than ‘Twisters,’” Stephen Colbert said on Wednesday’s “Late Show.”“Oh wait, hold on, hear me out, no more ideas, this is it: Glen Powell becomes Harris’s running mate. I guarantee — I guarantee he will attract suburban women, and I already have his slogan: ‘Yes, We Glen.’ Four more abs! Four more abs!” — STEPHEN COLBERT“I’ve got to say, it was refreshing to see a presidential rally without a single wrestler from the 1980s.” — STEPHEN COLBERT“In fact, the turnout was so large that organizers said they had to move the rally to a larger venue. Wow, needing a bigger space for your rally used to be Trump’s whole thing. Maybe she should take something else — maybe she should start selling her own celebrity Bible. But instead of Lee Greenwood, it’s Beyoncé — ‘The Beyble.’” — STEPHEN COLBERTThe Punchiest Punchlines (The Switch Up Edition)“I’m a little worried because since Sunday afternoon, I haven’t been that worried, and that is deeply troubling. I personally blame our next president, Kamala Harris.” — STEPHEN COLBERT“Earlier tonight, President Biden gave a prime-time address from the Oval Office about his decision to drop out of the race. Basically, on Sunday, he broke up with the country over text, and tonight, he met us for coffee to explain.” — JIMMY FALLON“Yep, Biden delivered the address, although it was hard for people to focus with Kamala’s interior designer in the background.” — JIMMY FALLONThe Bits Worth WatchingMatt Damon and Jimmy Fallon led the “Tonight Show” audience in a singalong to “Sweet Caroline.”What We’re Excited About on Thursday NightThe comedian and actor Marlon Wayans will appear on Thursday’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live.”Also, Check This OutChappell Roan onstage at the Capitol Hill Block Party in Seattle last Friday.Chappell Roan’s star has risen so quickly that the pop star scrambled to upgrade to larger venues on her summer tour. More

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    Late Night Breaks Down ‘Kamala Is Brat’

    The Harris campaign’s embrace of the Gen Z term puzzled cable news analysts of a certain age, but Stephen Colbert was glad to clear things up.Welcome to Best of Late Night, a rundown of the previous night’s highlights that lets you sleep — and lets us get paid to watch comedy. Here are the 50 best movies on Netflix right now.New BratitudeSocial media has been ablaze with Kamala Harris memes since her candidacy for president was announced. The pop star Charli XCX proclaimed that “Kamala is brat,” and the Harris campaign embraced the label, leading to some puzzlement on cable news channels.“If you’re a little confused about this brat thing, you’re not as confused as CNN,” Stephen Colbert said on Tuesday, cutting to a clip of Jake Tapper, Kaitlan Collins and other panelists earnestly discussing the Gen Z concept.“Because nothing says ‘I am hep to what’s hip’ like printing out a meme and putting on your reading glasses.” — STEPHEN COLBERT“All of their kids are watching like, ‘If you want to know what the definition of cringe is, this is it.’” — JIMMY FALLONColbert triumphantly pointed to an article declaring that he, himself, is brat. “It is my certified bratitude that empowers me to do this,” he said, launching into a TikTok dance routine to Charli XCX’s “Apple” as his audience cheered him on.“Your move, Tapper.” — STEPHEN COLBERTThe Punchiest Punchlines (Tyler Perry Edition)“That’s right, Kamala raised $81 million in 24 hours. She would have raised even more, but Melania hit her daily withdrawal limit.” — JIMMY FALLON“Now there’s only one other Black woman who’s made that much money in a weekend, and that woman’s name is Tyler Perry.” — LAMORNE MORRIS, guest host of “Jimmy Kimmel Live”“She became the presumptive nominee in 48 hours. To put that in perspective, it’s been more than three years, and we still don’t have a new James Bond. By the way, Joe is available.” — STEPHEN COLBERT“Yeah, Kamala is a hit, and I think I know why — she’s way younger than Trump and wears less eyeliner than JD Vance.” — JIMMY FALLONThe Bits Worth WatchingThe Nigerian singer-songwriter Ayra Starr performed a medley of two tracks from her new album, “The Year I Turned 21,” on Tuesday’s “Tonight Show.”What We’re Excited About on Wednesday NightRyan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, the stars of “Deadpool & Wolverine,” will co-guest-host “Jimmy Kimmel Live” on Wednesday.Also, Check This Out“Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar” has been woefully neglected. Maybe it was the culottes?Cate Cameron/LionsgateThe overlooked 2021 comedy from Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, “Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar,” deserves a second chance this summer. More

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    Stephen Colbert Retires His Joe Biden Sunglasses

    The “Late Show” host is putting his aviators on a shelf, now that the president has ended his re-election campaign.Welcome to Best of Late Night, a rundown of the previous night’s highlights that lets you sleep — and lets us get paid to watch comedy. Here are the 50 best movies on Netflix right now.Biden’s Retirement PartyPresident Biden bowed out of the 2024 presidential race on Sunday.“It’s shocking, but this makes sense,” Stephen Colbert said. “It’ll give him time to rest up for 2028.”“He steered this country out of a horrific pandemic, he saved countless lives by encouraging people to get vaccinated, he brought the economy back, he rallied our allies, he reasserted America’s place in the world stage, and most inspiring of all, at no time was he Donald Trump.” — STEPHEN COLBERTColbert officially retired his Joe Biden aviator sunglasses on Monday, saying they had done “the hardest job of all:They made it seem like I had a Joe Biden impression.”“But I do not have a Kamala Harris impression, so she’s wearing aviators, too.” — STEPHEN COLBERT“I am officially retiring all of my ‘Joe Biden is old’ jokes, OK? They were starting to get tired anyway. Just like Joe Biden. That was the last one! I swear. Now I’m going to unretire them to use on Donald Trump.” — STEPHEN COLBERTThe Punchiest Punchlines (Bye Bye, Biden Edition)“Typically, on Sundays, everyone thinks about quitting their job, but Biden is the first person to actually go through with it.” — JIMMY FALLON“Yeah, it was one of the rare times every cable news graphic said ‘Breaking news’ and it was breaking news.” — JIMMY FALLON“Well, he didn’t, like, drop out so much as he kind of just, like, wandered off, you know what I’m saying?” — LAMORNE MORRIS, guest host of “Jimmy Kimmel Live”“Biden is now getting credit for guiding us through the pandemic, creating millions of jobs, rebuilding our nation’s crumbling infrastructure and eliminating billions in student loans. Democrats heard that and were like, ‘Hey, this guy should run for president!’” — JIMMY FALLON“Following the big news, Biden supporters gathered around the White House to thank him for dropping out of the race. Biden’s not quite sure how to feel, you know? I mean, ‘thanks for leaving’ is not really a compliment, you know?” — JIMMY FALLONThe Bits Worth WatchingJimmy Kimmel’s guest host, Lamorne Morris, offered a few helpful tips for being “Caucasian at the Cookout.”What We’re Excited About on Tuesday NightHugh Jackman, star of “Deadpool & Wolverine,” will appear on Tuesday’s “Tonight Show.”Also, Check This OutJames Earl Jones, left, and Andre Braugher in “Homicide: Life on the Street.” The series begins streaming on Peacock on Aug. 19.Michael Ginsburg/NBC, via Getty ImagesAll seven seasons of the acclaimed 1990s police procedural “Homicide: Life on the Street” will finally be available for streaming next month. More

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    Jimmy Fallon Finds Bright Side of Biden Testing Positive for Covid

    “It’s the first positive news he’s had in months,” Fallon said on Thursday.Welcome to Best of Late Night, a rundown of the previous night’s highlights that lets you sleep — and lets us get paid to watch comedy. Here are the 50 best movies on Netflix right now.A Positive for BidenPresident Joe Biden tested positive for Covid on Wednesday, forcing him to cancel campaign events and self-isolate.“On the bright side, it’s the first positive news he’s had in months,” Jimmy Fallon said on Thursday.“Yep, Biden had fatigue, a cough and brain fog — and then he got Covid.” — JIMMY FALLON“President Biden tested positive yesterday for Covid-19. On the plus side, everyone around him was already distancing.” — SETH MEYERS“Biden has Covid, which is no joke for a man of his age, especially because this is an unusual strain where the brain fog hits you three weeks ago.” — JORDAN KLEPPER, guest host of “The Daily Show”“Thankfully, Biden is expected to make a full recovery, and his doctor said that he’ll be back to 60 percent in no time.” — JIMMY FALLONThe Punchiest Punchlines (Matt Gaetz’s New Face Edition)“Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz spoke last night at the Republican National Convention. When reached for comment, he couldn’t get his phone to unlock.” — SETH MEYERS“I mean, he looks like he’s trying to be an NBA player’s third wife.” — ANTHONY ANDERSON, guest host of “Jimmy Kimmel Live”“It looks like his eyebrows are reacting to a picture of his eyebrows.” — JORDAN KLEPPERThe Bits Worth WatchingThe James Beard-winning barbecue master Kevin Bludso showed Guillermo and the “Jimmy Kimmel Live” guest host Anthony Anderson how to apply dry rub to dino ribs and pork shoulder on Thursday.Also, Check This OutFrom left, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Anthony Ramos and Glen Powell in “Twisters.”Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures & Amblin EntertainmentDaisy Edgar-Jones and Glen Powell star in “Twisters,” the new stand-alone sequel to the hit 1996 tornado-themed thriller “Twister.” More