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The Best Episodes of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 1

Every episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 1!

Binge this in 18h 45m•Peaking at 7.4/10

Stephen Colbert brings his signature satire and comedy to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the #1 show in late night, where he talks with an eclectic mix of guests about what is new and

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 1 Episode 3 - Vice President Joe Biden, Travis Kalanick, Toby Keith
    7.4/10(122 votes)

    S1:E3

    Joe Biden and Stephen discuss how the tragic losses of family members affected their lives. Travis Kalanick discusses 'Uber. Toby Keith performed "Rum is the Reason" off his album '35 MPH Town’.

    Director:Unknown
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  2. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 1 Episode 11 - Donald Trump, Dr. Ernest Moniz, Raury
    7.3/10(72 votes)

    S1:E11

    The Hungry for Power Games (Scott Walker). Donald Trump discusses his presidential campaign. Trump or Colbert? Ernest Moniz discusses the Iran nuclear deal. Raury performs "Devil's Whisper" from his album ‘All We Need’.

    Director:Unknown
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  3. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 1 Episode 9 - Lupita Nyong'o, Senator Bernie Sanders, Christopher Wheeldon, Robert Fairchild and Leanne Cope
    7.1/10(75 votes)

    S1:E9

    Lupita Nyong'o discusses 'Eclipsed’ and ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’. Bernie Sanders discusses his presidential campaign. Christopher Wheeldon discusses ‘An American in Paris’, as Robert Fairchild and Leanne Cope perform a selection from the play.

    Director:Unknown
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  4. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 1 Episode 1 - George Clooney, Jeb Bush, Jon Batiste & Stay Human
    7.0/10(160 votes)

    S1:E1

    The show opens with Stephen singing "The Star-Spangled Banner", ending with a cameo by Jon Stewart as an umpire yelling "Play ball!". Later he allows himself to eat one Oreo cookie and share one Donald Trump news story, before spiraling out of control and eating several cookies and showing several Trump stories. George Clooney discusses his career and his "new movie", ‘Decision Strike’. Governor Jeb Bush discusses his presidential campaign. The musical segment of the show features a cast of celebrities joining the band singing "Everyday People".

    Director:Unknown
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  5. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 1 Episode 7 - Kevin Spacey, Carol Burnett, Abbi Jacobson, Ilana Glazer, Willie Nelson
    6.9/10(75 votes)

    S1:E7

    Carol Burnett discusses 'The Carol Burnett Show’. Kevin Spacey discusses 'House of Cards’. Planet of the Apps. Willie Nelson & John Mellencamp discuss Willie's Reserve and Farm Aid, and perform "Night Life".

    Director:Unknown
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  6. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 1 Episode 45 - Bill Maher, Florent Groberg, Shepard Fairey, Acro-Cats
    6.9/10(46 votes)

    S1:E45

    Medal of Honor recipient Jack H. Jacobs discusses the terrorists attacks in France. Bill Maher discusses religion and the presidential election. Medal of Honor recipient Florent Groberg discusses the War in Afghanistan. Shepard Fairey discusses his art and his new book, ‘Covert to Overt’. A performance by The Acro-Cats.

    Director:Unknown
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    The 20 BEST Episodes of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

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  7. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 1 Episode 49 - Michael Caine, Larry Wilmore, Boots
    6.9/10(43 votes)

    S1:E49

    Vulfpeck sits in with the band and provides musical accompaniment. Michael Caine discusses ‘Youth’ and his career. Larry Wilmore discusses ‘The Nightly Show’ and his new book, ‘I’d Rather We Got Casinos’. Boots performs "C.U.R.E." from his album ‘AQUΛRIA’.

    Director:Unknown
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  8. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 1 Episode 2 - Scarlett Johansson, Elon Musk, Kendrick Lamar
    6.8/10(99 votes)

    S1:E2

    Stephen explains the technical difficulties he experienced during the making of his first show. The Big Furry Hat. Big Questions with Even Bigger Stars (with Scarlett Johansson). Elon Musk discusses SpaceX and his other projects. Kendrick Lamar performed a medley of songs from his album 'To Pimp a Butterfly’.

    Director:Unknown
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  9. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 1 Episode 8 - Trevor Noah, U.N. Ban Ki-Moon, Chris Stapleton
    6.8/10(67 votes)

    S1:E8

    Trevor Noah discusses 'The Daily Show’ and the Republican Party presidential debate. Stephen launches his own lifestyle brand, Covetton House. Ban Ki-moon discusses recent politics. Chris Stapleton performs "Nobody to Blame" from his album 'Traveller’

    Director:Unknown
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  10. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 1 Episode 181 - RNC, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Billy Eichner, Cory Kahaney
    6.8/10(49 votes)

    S1:E181

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
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  11. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 1 Episode 6 - Tim Cook, Jake Gyllenhaal, Run The Jewels with TV On The Radio
    6.7/10(72 votes)

    S1:E6

    The Hungry for Power Games (Rick Perry). Jake Gyllenhaal discusses 'Everest’. Tim Cook discusses the iPhone 6S. Run the Jewels & TV on the Radio perform "Angel Duster" from the album 'Run the Jewels 2’.

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  12. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 1 Episode 10 - Stephen Curry, Senator Ted Cruz, Don Henley
    6.7/10(64 votes)

    S1:E10

    Stephen Curry discusses 'NBA 2K16’. Stephen vs. Stephen (Stephen and Stephen Curry). Ted Cruz discusses his presidential campaign. Don Henley performs "Too Much Pride" from his album 'Cass County’.

    Director:Unknown
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  13. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 1 Episode 37 - Daniel Craig, Elizabeth Gilbert, Dr. Eugenia Cheng
    6.7/10(49 votes)

    S1:E37

    The Hungry for Power Games (Lawrence Lessig). Daniel Craig discusses ‘Spectre’. Craig rents a new car. Elizabeth Gilbert discusses the creative process and her new book, ‘Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear’. Dr. Eugenia Cheng discusses baking and mathematics.

    Director:Unknown
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  14. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 1 Episode 4 - Amy Schumer, Stephen King, Troubled Waters (Paul Simon)
    6.6/10(79 votes)

    S1:E4

    Stephen endorses Yesterday's Coffee. Amy Schumer discusses her new standup special, ‘Amy Schumer: Live at the Apollo’. Stephen Colbert's Unseen Mysteries of the Hidden Secrets. Stephen King discusses his new collection of short stories, ‘The Bazaar of Bad Dreams’. Troubled Waters performs "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" with Stephen, as well as "American Tune" during the episode's outro.

    Director:Unknown
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  15. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 1 Episode 5 - Emily Blunt, Justice Stephen Breyer, The Dead Weather
    6.6/10(77 votes)

    S1:E5

    Stephen faces off against Novak Djokovic. Stephen Colbert Gets All Up in Your Faith. Emily Blunt discusses 'Sicario’, in addition to having a vomit-off with Stephen. Justice Stephen Breyer discusses recent politics and his new book, 'The Court and the World’. The Dead Weather performs "I Feel Love (Every Million Miles)" from their album 'Dodge and Burn’.

    Director:Unknown
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  16. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 1 Episode 14 - Malala Yousafzai, Kerry Washington, The Arcs
    6.6/10(55 votes)

    S1:E14

    Stephen Colbert's All-Inclusive Wedding Cake Toppers. Malala Yousafzai discusses the right to education for women and her new documentary, ‘He Named Me Malala’; she also performs a magic trick for Stephen. Kerry Washington discusses 'Scandal and the Global Citizen Festival. The Arcs performed "Outta My Mind" from their album 'Yours, Dreamily,’.

    Director:Unknown
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  17. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 1 Episode 29 - Jimmy Kimmel, Guillermo del Toro, Jessica Chastain, Tom Hiddleston, Mia Wasikowska, Beach House
    6.6/10(56 votes)

    S1:E29

    Jimmy Kimmel discusses ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ and his agent, same as Stephen’s, before having a cook-off. Guillermo Del Toro, Jessica Chastain, Tom Hiddleston and Mia Wasikowska discuss ’Crimson Peak’. Beach House performs "One Thing" from their album ’Thank Your Lucky Stars’.

    Director:Unknown
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  18. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 1 Episode 31 - Hillary Clinton, Anthony Bourdain, Carrie Brownstein
    6.6/10(48 votes)

    S1:E31

    Lianne La Havas sits in with the band and provides musical accompaniment. Hillary Clinton discusses her presidential campaign. Anthony Bourdain discusses ‘Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown’ and his new graphic novel, ’Get Jiro’. Carrie Brownstein discusses her new memoir, ‘Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl’.

    Director:Unknown
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  19. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 1 Episode 59 - Quentin Tarantino, Jonathan Groff, Squeeze
    6.6/10(44 votes)

    S1:E59

    Stephen auditions as Han Solo (appearances by Harrison Ford and J. J. Abrams). Quentin Tarantino discusses ‘The Hateful Eight’ and his career. The Big Furry Hat. Jonathan Groff discusses ‘Hamilton’ and teaches Stephen his King George III walk. Squeeze performs "Happy Days" from their album ‘Cradle to the Grave’, with Jon Batiste & Stay Human providing musical accompaniment.

    Director:Unknown
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  20. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 1 Episode 61 - Michael Moore, Samantha Power, Michael C. Hall, Lazarus
    6.6/10(43 votes)

    S1:E61

    Crunchy the Squirrel presents Oatie-O’s. Michael Moore discusses ‘Where to Invade Next’ and takes a more positive look at the world. Samantha Power discusses her position as Ambassador to the United Nations. Michael C. Hall discusses ‘Lazarus’. The Late Show Holiday Gift Guide. Hall and the cast of Lazarus perform the title track of the play.

    Director:Unknown
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  21. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 1 Episode 12 - Hugh Jackman, Hugh Evans, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Pearl Jam
    6.5/10(62 votes)

    S1:E12

    Jon Batiste presents his "new book": ‘Underneath the Chuckles: Life, Laughs, Loss, Love and Learning’. Jackman and Evans discuss 'the Global Poverty Project. Senator Elizabeth Warren discusses the problems with the government. Pearl Jam discusses the Global Citizen Festival and performs "Mind Your Manners", plus a cover of "Rockin' in the Free World" joined by Stephen on vocals.

    Director:Unknown
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  22. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 1 Episode 19 - Morgan Freeman, Ruth Wilson, Sean Murray
    6.5/10(56 votes)

    S1:E19

    Stephen Colbert's Cyborgasm. Morgan Freeman discusses ‘Madam Secretary’. Ruth Wilson discusses ‘The Affair’. Sean Murray demonstrates ‘No Man's Sky’.

    Director:Unknown
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  23. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 1 Episode 26 - Sarah Silverman, Elijah Wood, Symphony of the Goddesses
    6.5/10(50 votes)

    S1:E26

    Stephen Colbert’s Hot Takes. Sarah Silverman discusses ‘I Smile Back’ and reads bad jokes written by kids with Stephen. Elijah Wood talks ’The Lord of the Rings’ with Stephen and discusses ‘The Last Witch Hunter’. Orchestral performance by ‘The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses’.

    Director:Unknown
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  24. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 1 Episode 33 - Seth MacFarlane, Neil DeGrasse Tyson
    6.5/10(52 votes)

    S1:E33

    Seth MacFarlane discusses his new album, ‘No One Ever Tells You’. Focus on the Universe. Neil deGrasse Tyson discusses ‘StarTalk’ and the latest scientific discoveries. MacFarlane performs "The One I Love (Belongs to Somebody Else)".

    Director:Unknown
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  25. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 1 Episode 17 - John Oliver, Evan Spiegel, Bill Withers, Ed Sheeran
    6.4/10(55 votes)

    S1:E17

    Big Questions with Even Bigger Stars (with Tom Hanks). John Oliver discusses ‘Last Week Tonight’. Evan Spiegel discusses Snapchat. Bill Withers and Ed Sheeran discuss Withers' induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as Sheeran performs "Ain't No Sunshine".

    Director:Unknown
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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Vice President Joe Biden, Travis Kalanick, Toby Keith" is the best rated episode of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" season 1. It scored 7.4/10 based on 122 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 9/10/2015. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Donald Trump, Dr. Ernest Moniz, Raury".