After more than two decades behind a late-night desk, Stephen Colbert has finally given a definitive answer to a question fans have long wondered about: Who’s his favorite guest? The Late Show host sat down with the honored visitor for the final time on Tuesday night.
On Tuesday night’s episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the host set up the reveal by saying “I have been doing these shows for 21 years, and people always ask me who my favorite guest is. And I always give the same answer…” Colbert said, before welcoming astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson to the stage inside the Ed Sullivan Theater.
Colbert doubled down on the sentiment during their conversation, offering a more detailed explanation for why Tyson stands above the rest. “As I said in the intro, pound for pound, taken on average across 21 years, who is the person who is not only easy to talk to, whose subject I am fascinated with, and who gives me a real rest because he knows how to talk and not stop — and that is Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson,” Colbert said.
As the interview wrapped, Colbert added a warm sendoff: “It was so wonderful to see you — 21 great years!,” the Late Show host told Tyson.
Colbert’s reasoning makes a lot of sense when you consider the dynamic Tyson brings to the show. Unlike many late-night guests who rely on quick (and often rehearsed) anecdotes or promotional talking points, Tyson brings a unique level of curiosity and a gift for explanation. His ability to dive into complex scientific ideas while keeping them engaging and entertaining creates a different kind of conversation than the typical late-night exchange.
That dynamic also plays directly into Colbert’s strengths. While he’s known for his sharp political satire and improv skills, Colbert has always shown a strong inclination toward deeper, more philosophical discussions. Whether he’s talking about faith or the nature of the universe, he often seems most energized when conversations move beyond comedy or project plugs. Tyson's expertise in space and science opens the door to exactly those kinds of conversations.
Over the years, Tyson’s appearances on The Late Show have covered a wide range of topics. He’s helped Colbert break down cosmic phenomena like dark matter, intelligent life across the universe, and the science behind the COVID-19 pandemic.
Their conversations have also ventured into more unexpected territory. Tyson has weighed in on science education, debunked popular misconceptions fueled by movies and television, and even engaged in playful debates with Colbert over science fiction versus scientific reality.
With a month left in his tenure as host of The Late Show, Stephen Colbert deserves to go out on his terms. That includes sitting down with the guests he wants to talk to and spend his final days interviewing. He's made it clear that no one will top Neil deGrasse Tyson.
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