Stephen Colbert on word origins, ratings, and James Comey

From James Comey to ratings to word origins and yes, even a bit of Grease, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert had two videos and plenty of jokes.

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert took to splitting up its host’s monologue last night into two videos for fans to watch today. The first does a bit more of news, but it also has Colbert singing. The second one simply has the title of “Stephen Reacts To Trump Calling Him A ‘No-Talent Guy'”, so make of that what you will.

Colbert actually took a moderately serious note to start last night’s show off, but as soon as he started talking more quickly, the jokes started flying. He is still a comedian after all.

Check out the first part of last night’s monologue below. There are no censored words.

For reference to the interview (which is in “lightly edited” transcript form) with The Economist, here’s Oxford University Press on Twitter about “priming the pump”, and yes, Colbert’s right:

Economically speaking, Franklin D. Roosevelt then used it during the Great Depression. Also, Colbert’s two-minute political Grease should be expanded.

Finally, though, NBC News has posted a longer version of Lester Holt’s interview with Donald Trump. Additionally, Colbert’s CNBC report goes back to a longer work by the Washington Post.

Wait, there’s more though!

But of course, Colbert had to break out his Trump impression when he came to hearing what Trump had to say about his show to Time. (He also cites a longer piece.) And then came a segment addressed, putatively, to the man himself. For the second time in just a few minutes, Colbert referred to the Access Hollywood tape.

As for that ratings crack? The Hill reports that Trump’s approval rating currently sits at 36%. Meanwhile, for the week of May 1-5, TV By the Numbers reports Colbert averaged more viewers than either Jimmy Kimmel Live or The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Granted, it’s a bit like comparing apples and oranges, but the point remains.

Next: Stephen Colbert on James Comey, part two

Which musical will Colbert break out next? If he wants to keep with the theme of nostalgia, he has plenty of options.