Ah, NYC… so lucky having received a ticket for the Late Show with Stephen Colbert
on March 3rd, in the afternoon, arriving from Europe, already night, super. Did make it on time at 2 P.M. sharp, nearly ran, in the end took a taxi to get me there, as I was told to BE THERE ON TIME. Only people like me from Germany always think we have to be on time… So, after some talks and photos in front of the theater – check in 2.30 P.M. Airport like, even a detection dog
at the entrance (“Oh, look at this cute dog!” “Well, yes, this cutie is working.”). Thank you, unknown visitor, for checking the guests: Wolverine!!! (starring for the last time in ‘Logan’,
Best Picture Nomination at this year’s Oscar’s) and Condola Rashād, who has been featuring as
an Oscar Nominee presenter at the Oscar’s, a quite famous actress in the US.
Well, yes, it is time for after-sales.
Once we were in, up or down, had a seat up, good view onto everything on stage.
The Ed Sullivan Theater itself, an old one, not too big. Side-on Gilbert & George style copying windows, on the right hand side with Owen Wilson I recognized at once in a set of three men. Two balconies, each with winding stairs leading onto the stage.
First appearance: Warm upper Paul Mercurio, a talkative, overdosed with the F* word animateur. Too much talking about homosexuals and sex and, as I said, the F* word, picking out some people of the audience to perform with him on stage. But, still, there are
a lot of people who obviously liked that… Kept us shouting Yeah! and Stephen! Stephen! all the time. It is necessary to have a vibrant audience, I know, but at some point it is just exhausting.
Made our job well and then – next: Jon Batiste & STAY HUMAN, THE Stephen Colbert band.
Singing, dancing, playing the piano and harmonica, great, used the whole theater as a stage.
By the way, would have been a much better music act in the show as ‘The Flawless Lips’
with their pseudo-psychedelic scenery, felt a bit like having taken too many drugs at once.
And one of the song lines, like, as far as I remember it: “Bring the unicorns and make them slaves.” Awful. Quatsch. Nobody shall be a slave at all.
Liked the front man only because of his Beetlejuice appearance.
Finally, Stephen appeared – applause, applause, applause! Hopping and running around
his desk, wanted us to ask questions. Hm? FAQs? Presented also Marty, stage director of the show, telling us the do’s and don’ts.
Enjoyed all parts of the show then, the Trump jokes of course, always an important part of Stephen’s show actually. The guests: First of all, Hugh Jackman. I have to admit that I really love the ‘X-Men’ movies and his role as Wolverine. Moreover, he indeed is VERY good looking. Talked a bit about the making of ‘Logan’ (what made him look so furious e.g.) and that ‘Logan’ definitely will be his last Wolverine appearance after more than 20 years. Too sad… but,
“Hey, why not take my dog Rusty instead? He has perfect wolf claws and with me, together we are a one of a kind dream team.” During their talking Jackman reminded me of Jean Dujardin in his role as agent ‘OSS – 117’, a funny James Bond persiflage, when he began joking with Stephen and they both laughed kind of over exaggerated about their (men’s) jokes… However, VERY good looking and I hope for Hugh that he only played a role at that point… Ended his part with a reminder: Have regular skin checks. Well he knows what he is talking about and why, and,
as an Aussie (no, no, not Ossi!) even more.
Next: Condola Rashād, what an appearance – like at the Oscar’s. Very natural and funny, talking a bit about her family as well; quite newly engaged! And: She is tall – Stephen really had to look up to her a bit all the time. Alright, fair enough, this woman is just admirable. Latest movie: ‘Complete Unknown’, 2016.
When Stephen entered the theater’s 2nd floor where I have been sitting, he obviously had difficulties reading the teleprompter. When he looked in my direction I just gave my special ‘Huhu!’ greeting to him – oh, he did not notice me, has he been ‘in the tunnel’ already for the announcement of ‘The Flawless Lips’?
After the music intermezzo I got a quick glance at the announcement for the next night’s show take, could not believe it at first: Cate Blanchett! Wow. So elegant. Dressed like Marlene Dietrich a bit. And so she behaved – sophisticated, cool, family talks. Until – her joking. Strange. “Where do the warmth sit?” “In my vagina.” Urgs. Why is that? She wants to have more children than her four? Or she just wanted to show that even women are able to make dirty jokes?
End of show, conclusion?
- You really have to attend a live show – and if possible compare it to the one later presented on the screens.
- Stephen: Very good host… problems with your eyes? Get it checked.
- Hugh: No Oscar so far, but has been presented them in 2009. And may be with a role change he will get one? Ah, and so VERY good looking…
- Condola: Same, but I am sure she is working on that. And hopefully, the chances are getting better for females in general and non-white actresses.
- Cate: Two Oscars so far – more to come?
P.S.: Back to Jon Batiste and his crew for a second – when I watched the show at night on TV,
I saw him saying “Shit!” to someone behind him – to whom? This is another story…