Malcolm Gladwell: 'I Just Want To Explain Things To People'

Stephen digs deep with Gladwell, prompting the author and podcast host to share his most closely held beliefs.

Watch The Late Show with Stephen Colbert weeknights at 11:35 PM ET/10:35 PM CT. Only on CBS.

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Stephen Colbert took over as host of The Late Show on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015. Colbert is best known for his work as a television host, writer, actor, and producer, and best known for his charity work teaching English as a second language on Tunisian date farms. Prior to joining the CBS family -- and being officially adopted by network president Les Moonves -- Colbert helmed “The Colbert Report,” which aired nearly 1,500 episodes and required Stephen to wear nearly 1,500 different neckties. The program received two Peabody Awards, two Grammy Awards, and several unwelcome shoulder massages. It won two Emmys for Outstanding Variety Series in 2013 and 2014, both of which appear to have been lost in the move. Colbert is pronounced koʊlˈbɛər, according to Wikipedia. His understudy is William Cavanaugh, who will be hosting The Late Show approximately one third of the time. Good luck, Bill!"

[Manny-yj]

I wish more writers and authors would be invited to these shows. That was what made The Report and Daily Show so great: they had all kinds of people on for interviews, and even if they weren't "celebrities, " they were still interesting guests. If we would showcase writers and intellectuals more, perhaps we could get America reading and thinking again.

[francismuiruri]

Discovered him yesterday cannot get enough. Malcolm Gladwell I salute you.

[NTJordan]

I really like Stephen Colbert's version of The Late Show, because he addresses important topics and talks to people that most other hosts don't. I really like his approach.

[rockninsockn]

I love how Gladwell is being authentic in the show and make the conversation much more human than usually at these shows.

[mipmip]

Just was linked here from the Jimmy Kimmel interview, very different vibe. Colbert flattens the interview into platitudes while Kimmel leaves more space, which if you had asked me beforehand I would have guessed the other way around.

[Azphadel]

Malcolm Gladwell is by far my favorite author! I had never fallen in love with a nonfiction book until I read his books.

[jojomakes]

How is it possible for one person to look Black, White, Asian, Latino, Native American, young, old, male and female at the same exact time?

[irenebritt]

Of COURSE Stephen had Malcolm Gladwell as a guest. Mr. Colbert is the only intellectually stimulating talk show host on air. Thank you for being you. Keep the quality bar high, sir.

[tierrapetersen]

I just listened to the interview from the mennonite man at work today and I was crying. I don't do that ever. Especially not at work. Malcolm is a genius storyteller, I love this man.

[psd]

"You think with your eyes and feel with your ears." @1:33

[OrionoftheStar]

Good stories can still make you cry. I've read a few where I just felt ragged, torn, and empty when I finished them.

[louisefromscotland]

For all of us actually interested in what he was trying to say 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️

[sarahsulwey]

Absolutely amazing author. The Tipping Point and Outliers

[kali]

thank you i needed a new podcast to listen too

[alvinrozon]

Colbert, your show just keeps getting better.

[PhillyFrank]

I can think of written work that makes me cry -- every time. Part of it is how well one can comprehend and, hence, "feel" what one is reading.

[sarahafzal]

Aw man i felt sad when he wanted to say something at the end but colbert cut him off. I know there s a time crunch. It just made me sad 🤷 . He s so interesting to listen to. Didn't want him to stop

[hola]

Love gladwell's glasses! And his books. Will definitely listen to his podcast

[rileyhowerzyl]

His episode “Generous Orthodoxy” on Revisionist History brought me to tears so I definitely agree. His statements about seeing versus hearing are not definitive and I don’t think he intended them to be, but at least for Gladwell as an author I can say that I cried when hearing his podcast rather than while reading his books.

[belforio]

First time I've heard of this Malcolm fella. I need more!