The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert Intro Rewind: Keanu Reeves
Jan 1, 2026
Keanu Reeves, the beloved actor known for iconic roles and a charming presence, joins for a delightful conversation. He shares captivating backstage stories and his experiences in the rewrite room. The duo dives into whimsical philosophical queries, blending humor with deeper reflections. Stephen also discusses intriguing workplace lingo and unusual studio rituals, like his fiber habit and 'TikTok timing.' Their banter reveals both wisdom and levity, making for a fun and thought-provoking discussion.
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Timing Is The Show's Invisible Ruler
- Live TV demands extreme timing precision down to the second, and the show treats timing as a core constraint.
- Stephen traces their timing culture to Harlan Ellison's story and calls their timing role 'TikTok' for predicting exact act lengths.
Repent Harlequin: A Cautionary Tale
- Stephen recounts Harlan Ellison's 'Repent, Harlequin!' story to show the danger of absolute punctuality.
- The TikTok man enforces time and Harlequin deliberately disrupts it, illustrating the cost of rigid time control.
Anticipate News By Finding 'The Trucks'
- Tom Purcell's nightly memo anticipates tomorrow's news by tracking where the TV trucks will be.
- Stephen uses this to explain editorial strategy: predict news focus to prep material efficiently.