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    Late Night Tackles Trump’s Tic Tac Show and Tell

    “That is not an example of inflation; it’s just two different sizes of breath mints,” Desi Lydic said on Thursday’s “The Daily Show.”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.Tic Tac TacticsDuring a campaign rally on Wednesday, former President Donald Trump held up two boxes of Tic Tacs, one smaller than the other, in an attempt to demonstrate inflation.“That is not an example of inflation; it’s just two different sizes of breath mints,” Desi Lydic said on Thursday’s “The Daily Show.”“I mean, my understanding of macroeconomics is limited, but I do know for a [expletive] fact that inflation is not defined as ‘big Tic Tac, little Tic Tac.’” — DESI LYDIC“And, by the way, Donald, if someone hands you a breath mint, they’re not suggesting you talk about inflation; they’re suggesting you take a breath mint.” — DESI LYDIC“Then Trump said, ‘And it’s very sad that China is spying on us through Tic Tac.’” — JIMMY FALLONThe Punchiest Punchlines (Off Message Edition)“Trump has reportedly been rattled and disoriented by Harris’s surge, and now he’s struggling to adjust and stay on message — mainly because he has no message.” — SETH MEYERS“Look, I hate to nitpick, but in this speech about the economy, do you think at any point you want to say something about the economy?” — DESI LYDIC“First of all, it is incredibly troubling that he thinks Tic Tacs are groceries. Second, people say Trump is an entertainer, and it’s true — what’s more entertaining than watching a 78-year-old man fumble around inside his coat pocket for a container of tiny Tic Tacs? He’s like a drunk magician at a 5-year-old’s birthday.” — SETH MEYERSThe Bits Worth WatchingThe pop superstar Billie Eilish took The Colbert Questionert on Thursday’s “Late Show.”Also, Check This OutGena Rowlands in “A Woman Under the Influence,” one of her many collaborations with her husband, the director, writer and actor John Cassavetes.Faces InternationalWith her inspired performances in films like “A Woman Under the Influence” and “Broken English,” Gena Rowlands was widely regarded as one of the best actresses of her generation. More

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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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    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

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    Late Night Taunts Former Critics Who Changed Their Minds About Trump

    J.D. Vance and Nikki Haley, among other Republicans at the convention, seem to have gotten over their reservations about the former president.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.Walking It BackA recurring theme of this week’s Republican National Convention has been former critics of Donald Trump singing his praises, including Nikki Haley and, most notably, J.D. Vance, who accepted the vice presidential nomination on Wednesday.“Vance started by saying, ‘All that comparing-Trump-to-Hitler stuff? Full take-backsies,’” Jimmy Fallon said on “The Tonight Show.”“While speaking last night at the Republican National Convention, Nikki Haley said, ‘There are some Americans who don’t agree with Donald Trump 100 percent of the time.’ For example, all the speakers of the R.N.C. just a few months ago.” — SETH MEYERS“That’s right, Nikki Haley spoke at the R.N.C. last night and said that former President Trump has her ‘strong endorsement, period.’ And then Mike Johnson tried to have her arrested for saying ‘period.’” — SETH MEYERS“You are a total sellout with no spine. Period.” — ANTHONY ANDERSON, guest host of “Jimmy Kimmel Live”The Punchiest Punchlines (Babydog Edition)“And I think no matter what your politics, we can all agree that Babydog is fantastic. Honestly, if Republicans had nominated Babydog for president, I’d be [expletive] torn. I think even Biden would be like, ‘[expletive], maybe I should drop out.’” — SETH MEYERS on Gov. Jim Justice’s bulldog, who appeared beside him onstage at the convention“Really undercuts your message of doom when the camera cuts to a super-happy dog just chillin’ in a chair. Your words say, ‘If Biden wins, the country will be destroyed,’ but her face says, ‘I’m doing [expletive] great, no matter who wins.’” — SETH MEYERS“Why do I feel like they share a sleep apnea machine?” — JIMMY FALLON“Looks like a Friar’s Club roast on Animal Planet.” — JIMMY FALLONThe Bits Worth WatchingHowie Mandel shared his fondness for pranking Heidi Klum, his fellow “America’s Got Talent” judge, during an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” on Wednesday.What We’re Excited About on Thursday NightSenator Bernie Sanders will appear live on Thursday’s “Late Show” after the Republican convention wraps up.Also, Check This Out“Shogun,” an FX drama, captured the most nominations, with 25.Katie Yu/FX, via Associated Press“The Bear,” “Shogun” and “Baby Reindeer” are among the television shows with the most Emmy nominations this year. More

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    Jon Stewart Razzes a ‘Daily Show’ Guest: Bill O’Reilly

    The former Fox host, a longtime foil of the show, said he knew he had “no friends here.” “Well, not just here,” Stewart replied.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.Sparring Partners“The Daily Show” was supposed to be in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention this week, but the attempt on Donald Trump’s life changed that. “What a terrible [expletive] week,” Jon Stewart said as he opened Tuesday’s show from New York.“‘Hey Jon, come back to ‘The Daily Show,’ just for the election. It’ll be fun! You’ll do one day a week, it’ll be a laugh! What could go wrong?’” — JON STEWARTWith security at the convention enhanced, the theater where they’d planned to tape the show was locked down, Stewart explained. In security parlance, it was now in the “hard perimeter,” not the “soft perimeter.” “You really don’t want to be in the hard perimeter,” he said.While Stewart touched on the convention’s first two days in his opener, the real amusement came from his sit-down with Bill O’Reilly, the former Fox host who provided fodder for many “Daily Show” jokes in years past.The two have squared off before, and O’Reilly nodded to that history: “We are able to disagree without hating each other. Now, I truly hate him. But I don’t show it.”“I like coming on here, in front of all of your friends out here — and the audience should know, I have no friends here.” — BILL O’REILLY“Well, not just here.” — JON STEWARTO’Reilly tried to distance himself from Trump, saying that as a registered independent, he didn’t have a candidate. Then he pulled out a sheet of paper and rattled off a list of prices, mortgage rates and overdose rates that had risen during the Biden administration.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. More

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    A Somber Late Night After the Attack on Donald Trump

    Stephen Colbert and Seth Meyers offered sober reflections about democracy. So did Anthony Anderson, though he found some humor in the reaction to the shooting.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.Not FunnyLate night was more subdued than usual on Monday, two days after a gunman tried to kill Donald Trump at a rally.“The Daily Show” canceled its plans to cover the Republican National Convention from Milwaukee, skipping its Monday show. Jimmy Fallon avoided the topic altogether on “The Tonight Show,” while Stephen Colbert and Seth Meyers addressed it with solemnity at the top of “The Late Show” and “Late Night.”Colbert expressed “horror at what was unfolding, relief that Donald Trump had lived, and, frankly, grief for my beautiful country.”“So as we’ve done many times in the past when some tragic event has shocked the nation, I’m starting the show tonight talking at the desk. Though I could just as easily start the show moaning on the floor, because how many times do we need to learn the lesson that violence has no role in our politics? That the entire objective of a democracy is to fight out our differences with, as the saying goes, ballot not a bullet?” — STEPHEN COLBERTSeth Meyers said it was “worth saying that there is no autopilot for democracy.”“Every generation before us has had to do the difficult work of safeguarding this cherished enterprise, and now we’re called upon to do the same.” — SETH MEYERSAnthony Anderson, guest-hosting “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” said he hoped that “we can all take a step back from the hatred and vitriol in our politics.” He was the only host who attempted a few jokes around the incident.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. More