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Season 2 - Best Episodes Of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Overall Rating: ★ 7.1

Season 2 - Best Episodes Of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

(Overall Rating: ★ 7.1)

Episode Ratings & Analysis

Explore season 2 episodes of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Explore detailed ratings, episode summaries, and visualize how the show's quality evolved over time.

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 relevant in the worlds of politics, entertainment, business, music, technology, and more. Featuring bandleader Jon Batiste with his band Stay Human, the Emmy Award-nominated show is broadcast from the historic Ed Sullivan Theater. Stephen Colbert, Chris Licht, Tom Purcell, and Jon Stewart are executive producers. Barry Julien and Denise Rehrig serve as co-executive producers.must watch

10 Seasons
1628 Episodes
Returning Series
Comedy Talk
Best Episodes
S2E6 - Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Millie Bobby Brown, The Head and The Heart ★ 5.7
S2E11 - First Lady Michelle Obama, America Ferrera ★ 5.6
S2E14 - Bruce Springsteen; Emma Willmann ★ 5.2
Worst Episodes
S2E19 - Samantha Bee, Abby Elliott, Asa Butterfield ★ 4.3
S2E8 - Tracee Ellis Ross, Andrew Rannells, Mac Miller & Anderson .Paak ★ 4.5
S2E20 - Mindy Kaling, Gary Owen, Sum 41 ★ 4.5
★ 5.7/10 (36 votes)
#1

Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Millie Bobby Brown, The Head and The Heart

S2:E6

Stephen welcomes Joseph Gordon-Levitt, actress Millie Bobby Brown, and a musical performance by The Head and The Heart.

★ 5.6/10 (36 votes)
#2

First Lady Michelle Obama, America Ferrera

S2:E11

Stephen welcomes First Lady Michelle Obama, and America Ferrera.

★ 5.2/10 (35 votes)
#3

Bruce Springsteen; Emma Willmann

S2:E14

Musician Bruce Springsteen; comic Emma Willmann.

★ 5.2/10 (31 votes)
#4

Lupita Nyong'o, Donnie Wahlberg, John Prine

S2:E17

Stephen welcomes Lupita Nyong'o, Donnie Wahlberg, from the CBS drama series, "Blue Bloods," and a musical performance by John Prine.

★ 5.2/10 (35 votes)
#5

President Barack Obama, Bill O'Reilly, Randall Park, Bob Weir

S2:E25

Stephen welcomes President Barack Obama, Bill O'Reilly, Randall Park, and a musical performance by Bob Weir.

★ 5.1/10 (35 votes)
#6

Jessica Alba, Bradley Whitford, George Takei

S2:E3

Stephen welcomes Jessica Alba, Bradley Whitford, and George Takei.

★ 5.1/10 (33 votes)
#7

Trevor Noah, Allen Iverson, Chris Gethard

S2:E7

Stephen welcomes Trevor Noah, Allen Iverson, and Chris Gethard.

★ 5.1/10 (31 votes)
#8

Chris Pratt, Scott Bakula, Frederik the Great

S2:E10

Stephen welcomes Chris Pratt, Scott Bakula, from the CBS drama series "NCIS: New Orleans", and Frederik the Great, the World's Most Handsome Horse.

★ 5.1/10 (31 votes)
#9

Morgan Freeman, Judith Light, Jimmy Eat World

S2:E18

Stephen welcomes Morgan Freeman, Executive Producer of the CBS drama series "Madam Secretary," Judith Light, and a musical performance by Jimmy Eat World.

★ 5.0/10 (31 votes)
#10

Ethan Hawke, Tim Meadows, Wilco, Nile Rodgers

S2:E12

Stephen welcomes Ethan Hawke, Tim Meadows, a musical performance by Wilco, and Nile Rodgers sitting in with Jon Batiste and Stay Human.

★ 5.0/10 (34 votes)
#11

Emily Blunt, Gael Garcia Bernal, Phantogram

S2:E23

Stephen welcomes Emily Blunt, Gael Garcia Bernal, and a musical performance by Phantogram.

★ 4.9/10 (30 votes)
#12

Harry Connick Jr., Ava DuVernay, Grouplove

S2:E1

Stephen welcomes Harry Connick Jr., Ava DuVernay, and a musical performance by Grouplove.

sky0ne Sep 5, 2016

First episode is on the 5/6th Sept with Will Smith, Logan Lerman, Tony Bennett... this is the 2nd ep...

★ 4.9/10 (33 votes)
#13

Whoopi Goldberg, Regina Hall, Captain Sully Sullenberger

S2:E2

Stephen welcomes Whoopi Goldberg, Regina Hall, and Captain Sully Sullenberger.

★ 4.9/10 (32 votes)
#14

Rob Lowe, Kal Penn, Emma Willmann

S2:E15

Stephen welcomes Rob Lowe from the CBS drama series "Code Black", actor Kal Penn, and comedian Emma Willmann.

★ 4.9/10 (27 votes)
#15

Diane Lane, Aja Naomi King, Alingon Mitra

S2:E24

Stephen Diane Lane, Aja Naomi King, and a stand-up comedy performance by Alingon Mitra.

★ 4.8/10 (29 votes)
#16

Tituss Burgess, Jeff Ross, Adam Richman

S2:E4

Stephen welcomes Tituss Burgess, Jeff Ross, and Adam Richman.

★ 4.8/10 (33 votes)
#17

John Slattery, Oliver Stone, Jon Fisch

S2:E9

Stephen welcomes John Slattery, Oliver Stone, and a stand-up comedy performance by Jon Fisch.

★ 4.8/10 (28 votes)
#18

Anthony Anderson, Mark Consuelos, The Kills

S2:E13

Stephen welcomes Anthony Anderson, Mark Consuelos, and a musical performance by The Kills.

★ 4.8/10 (31 votes)
#19

John Leguizamo, Cheri Oteri, Paul F. Tompkins, Melissa Etheridge

S2:E21

Stephen welcomes John Leguizamo, Cheri Oteri, Paul F. Tompkins, and Melissa Etheridge sitting in with Jon Batiste and Stay Human.

★ 4.7/10 (29 votes)
#20

Dr. Phil McGraw, Alan Cumming, Hamilton Leithauser + Rostam

S2:E5

Stephen welcomes Dr. Phil McGraw, Executive Producer of the CBS drama series "Bull", Alan Cumming, and a musical performance by Leithauser + Rostam.

★ 4.7/10 (32 votes)
#21

Sean Penn, Sutton Foster, Regina Spektor

S2:E16

Stephen welcomes Sean Penn, Sutton Foster, and a musical performance by Regina Spektor.

★ 4.7/10 (29 votes)
#22

Armie Hammer, Lindsay Vonn, Gustavo Dudamel with the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra

S2:E22

Stephen welcomes Armie Hammer, Lindsey Vonn, and a musical performance by Gustavo Dudamel with the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra.

izzmo Oct 7, 2016

Symphony at the end was amazing!

★ 4.5/10 (30 votes)
#23

Tracee Ellis Ross, Andrew Rannells, Mac Miller & Anderson .Paak

S2:E8

Stephen welcomes Tracee Ellis Ross, Andrew Rannells, and a musical performance by Mac Miller & Anderson .Paak.

★ 4.5/10 (29 votes)
#24

Mindy Kaling, Gary Owen, Sum 41

S2:E20

Stephen welcomes Mindy Kaling, comedian Gary Owen, and a musical performance by Sum 41.

★ 4.3/10 (35 votes)
#25

Samantha Bee, Abby Elliott, Asa Butterfield

S2:E19

Stephen welcomes Samantha Bee, Abby Elliott, and actor Asa Butterfield.

★ 4.3/10 (35 votes)
#1

Samantha Bee, Abby Elliott, Asa Butterfield

S2:E19

Stephen welcomes Samantha Bee, Abby Elliott, and actor Asa Butterfield.

★ 4.5/10 (30 votes)
#2

Tracee Ellis Ross, Andrew Rannells, Mac Miller & Anderson .Paak

S2:E8

Stephen welcomes Tracee Ellis Ross, Andrew Rannells, and a musical performance by Mac Miller & Anderson .Paak.

★ 4.5/10 (29 votes)
#3

Mindy Kaling, Gary Owen, Sum 41

S2:E20

Stephen welcomes Mindy Kaling, comedian Gary Owen, and a musical performance by Sum 41.

★ 4.7/10 (29 votes)
#4

Dr. Phil McGraw, Alan Cumming, Hamilton Leithauser + Rostam

S2:E5

Stephen welcomes Dr. Phil McGraw, Executive Producer of the CBS drama series "Bull", Alan Cumming, and a musical performance by Leithauser + Rostam.

★ 4.7/10 (32 votes)
#5

Sean Penn, Sutton Foster, Regina Spektor

S2:E16

Stephen welcomes Sean Penn, Sutton Foster, and a musical performance by Regina Spektor.

★ 4.7/10 (29 votes)
#6

Armie Hammer, Lindsay Vonn, Gustavo Dudamel with the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra

S2:E22

Stephen welcomes Armie Hammer, Lindsey Vonn, and a musical performance by Gustavo Dudamel with the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra.

izzmo Oct 7, 2016

Symphony at the end was amazing!

★ 4.8/10 (29 votes)
#7

Tituss Burgess, Jeff Ross, Adam Richman

S2:E4

Stephen welcomes Tituss Burgess, Jeff Ross, and Adam Richman.

★ 4.8/10 (33 votes)
#8

John Slattery, Oliver Stone, Jon Fisch

S2:E9

Stephen welcomes John Slattery, Oliver Stone, and a stand-up comedy performance by Jon Fisch.

★ 4.8/10 (28 votes)
#9

Anthony Anderson, Mark Consuelos, The Kills

S2:E13

Stephen welcomes Anthony Anderson, Mark Consuelos, and a musical performance by The Kills.

★ 4.8/10 (31 votes)
#10

John Leguizamo, Cheri Oteri, Paul F. Tompkins, Melissa Etheridge

S2:E21

Stephen welcomes John Leguizamo, Cheri Oteri, Paul F. Tompkins, and Melissa Etheridge sitting in with Jon Batiste and Stay Human.

★ 4.9/10 (30 votes)
#11

Harry Connick Jr., Ava DuVernay, Grouplove

S2:E1

Stephen welcomes Harry Connick Jr., Ava DuVernay, and a musical performance by Grouplove.

sky0ne Sep 5, 2016

First episode is on the 5/6th Sept with Will Smith, Logan Lerman, Tony Bennett... this is the 2nd ep...

★ 4.9/10 (33 votes)
#12

Whoopi Goldberg, Regina Hall, Captain Sully Sullenberger

S2:E2

Stephen welcomes Whoopi Goldberg, Regina Hall, and Captain Sully Sullenberger.

★ 4.9/10 (32 votes)
#13

Rob Lowe, Kal Penn, Emma Willmann

S2:E15

Stephen welcomes Rob Lowe from the CBS drama series "Code Black", actor Kal Penn, and comedian Emma Willmann.

★ 4.9/10 (27 votes)
#14

Diane Lane, Aja Naomi King, Alingon Mitra

S2:E24

Stephen Diane Lane, Aja Naomi King, and a stand-up comedy performance by Alingon Mitra.

★ 5.0/10 (31 votes)
#15

Ethan Hawke, Tim Meadows, Wilco, Nile Rodgers

S2:E12

Stephen welcomes Ethan Hawke, Tim Meadows, a musical performance by Wilco, and Nile Rodgers sitting in with Jon Batiste and Stay Human.

★ 5.0/10 (34 votes)
#16

Emily Blunt, Gael Garcia Bernal, Phantogram

S2:E23

Stephen welcomes Emily Blunt, Gael Garcia Bernal, and a musical performance by Phantogram.

★ 5.1/10 (35 votes)
#17

Jessica Alba, Bradley Whitford, George Takei

S2:E3

Stephen welcomes Jessica Alba, Bradley Whitford, and George Takei.

★ 5.1/10 (33 votes)
#18

Trevor Noah, Allen Iverson, Chris Gethard

S2:E7

Stephen welcomes Trevor Noah, Allen Iverson, and Chris Gethard.

★ 5.1/10 (31 votes)
#19

Chris Pratt, Scott Bakula, Frederik the Great

S2:E10

Stephen welcomes Chris Pratt, Scott Bakula, from the CBS drama series "NCIS: New Orleans", and Frederik the Great, the World's Most Handsome Horse.

★ 5.1/10 (31 votes)
#20

Morgan Freeman, Judith Light, Jimmy Eat World

S2:E18

Stephen welcomes Morgan Freeman, Executive Producer of the CBS drama series "Madam Secretary," Judith Light, and a musical performance by Jimmy Eat World.

★ 5.2/10 (35 votes)
#21

Bruce Springsteen; Emma Willmann

S2:E14

Musician Bruce Springsteen; comic Emma Willmann.

★ 5.2/10 (31 votes)
#22

Lupita Nyong'o, Donnie Wahlberg, John Prine

S2:E17

Stephen welcomes Lupita Nyong'o, Donnie Wahlberg, from the CBS drama series, "Blue Bloods," and a musical performance by John Prine.

★ 5.2/10 (35 votes)
#23

President Barack Obama, Bill O'Reilly, Randall Park, Bob Weir

S2:E25

Stephen welcomes President Barack Obama, Bill O'Reilly, Randall Park, and a musical performance by Bob Weir.

★ 5.6/10 (36 votes)
#24

First Lady Michelle Obama, America Ferrera

S2:E11

Stephen welcomes First Lady Michelle Obama, and America Ferrera.

★ 5.7/10 (36 votes)
#25

Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Millie Bobby Brown, The Head and The Heart

S2:E6

Stephen welcomes Joseph Gordon-Levitt, actress Millie Bobby Brown, and a musical performance by The Head and The Heart.

★ 4.9/10 (30 votes)

Harry Connick Jr., Ava DuVernay, Grouplove

S2:E1

Stephen welcomes Harry Connick Jr., Ava DuVernay, and a musical performance by Grouplove.

sky0ne Sep 5, 2016

First episode is on the 5/6th Sept with Will Smith, Logan Lerman, Tony Bennett... this is the 2nd ep...

★ 4.9/10 (33 votes)

Whoopi Goldberg, Regina Hall, Captain Sully Sullenberger

S2:E2

Stephen welcomes Whoopi Goldberg, Regina Hall, and Captain Sully Sullenberger.

★ 5.1/10 (35 votes)

Jessica Alba, Bradley Whitford, George Takei

S2:E3

Stephen welcomes Jessica Alba, Bradley Whitford, and George Takei.

★ 4.8/10 (29 votes)

Tituss Burgess, Jeff Ross, Adam Richman

S2:E4

Stephen welcomes Tituss Burgess, Jeff Ross, and Adam Richman.

★ 4.7/10 (29 votes)

Dr. Phil McGraw, Alan Cumming, Hamilton Leithauser + Rostam

S2:E5

Stephen welcomes Dr. Phil McGraw, Executive Producer of the CBS drama series "Bull", Alan Cumming, and a musical performance by Leithauser + Rostam.

★ 5.7/10 (36 votes)

Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Millie Bobby Brown, The Head and The Heart

S2:E6

Stephen welcomes Joseph Gordon-Levitt, actress Millie Bobby Brown, and a musical performance by The Head and The Heart.

★ 5.1/10 (33 votes)

Trevor Noah, Allen Iverson, Chris Gethard

S2:E7

Stephen welcomes Trevor Noah, Allen Iverson, and Chris Gethard.

★ 4.5/10 (30 votes)

Tracee Ellis Ross, Andrew Rannells, Mac Miller & Anderson .Paak

S2:E8

Stephen welcomes Tracee Ellis Ross, Andrew Rannells, and a musical performance by Mac Miller & Anderson .Paak.

★ 4.8/10 (33 votes)

John Slattery, Oliver Stone, Jon Fisch

S2:E9

Stephen welcomes John Slattery, Oliver Stone, and a stand-up comedy performance by Jon Fisch.

★ 5.1/10 (31 votes)

Chris Pratt, Scott Bakula, Frederik the Great

S2:E10

Stephen welcomes Chris Pratt, Scott Bakula, from the CBS drama series "NCIS: New Orleans", and Frederik the Great, the World's Most Handsome Horse.

★ 5.6/10 (36 votes)

First Lady Michelle Obama, America Ferrera

S2:E11

Stephen welcomes First Lady Michelle Obama, and America Ferrera.

★ 5.0/10 (31 votes)

Ethan Hawke, Tim Meadows, Wilco, Nile Rodgers

S2:E12

Stephen welcomes Ethan Hawke, Tim Meadows, a musical performance by Wilco, and Nile Rodgers sitting in with Jon Batiste and Stay Human.

★ 4.8/10 (28 votes)

Anthony Anderson, Mark Consuelos, The Kills

S2:E13

Stephen welcomes Anthony Anderson, Mark Consuelos, and a musical performance by The Kills.

★ 5.2/10 (35 votes)

Bruce Springsteen; Emma Willmann

S2:E14

Musician Bruce Springsteen; comic Emma Willmann.

★ 4.9/10 (32 votes)

Rob Lowe, Kal Penn, Emma Willmann

S2:E15

Stephen welcomes Rob Lowe from the CBS drama series "Code Black", actor Kal Penn, and comedian Emma Willmann.

★ 4.7/10 (32 votes)

Sean Penn, Sutton Foster, Regina Spektor

S2:E16

Stephen welcomes Sean Penn, Sutton Foster, and a musical performance by Regina Spektor.

★ 5.2/10 (31 votes)

Lupita Nyong'o, Donnie Wahlberg, John Prine

S2:E17

Stephen welcomes Lupita Nyong'o, Donnie Wahlberg, from the CBS drama series, "Blue Bloods," and a musical performance by John Prine.

★ 5.1/10 (31 votes)

Morgan Freeman, Judith Light, Jimmy Eat World

S2:E18

Stephen welcomes Morgan Freeman, Executive Producer of the CBS drama series "Madam Secretary," Judith Light, and a musical performance by Jimmy Eat World.

★ 4.3/10 (35 votes)

Samantha Bee, Abby Elliott, Asa Butterfield

S2:E19

Stephen welcomes Samantha Bee, Abby Elliott, and actor Asa Butterfield.

★ 4.5/10 (29 votes)

Mindy Kaling, Gary Owen, Sum 41

S2:E20

Stephen welcomes Mindy Kaling, comedian Gary Owen, and a musical performance by Sum 41.

★ 4.8/10 (31 votes)

John Leguizamo, Cheri Oteri, Paul F. Tompkins, Melissa Etheridge

S2:E21

Stephen welcomes John Leguizamo, Cheri Oteri, Paul F. Tompkins, and Melissa Etheridge sitting in with Jon Batiste and Stay Human.

★ 4.7/10 (29 votes)

Armie Hammer, Lindsay Vonn, Gustavo Dudamel with the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra

S2:E22

Stephen welcomes Armie Hammer, Lindsey Vonn, and a musical performance by Gustavo Dudamel with the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra.

izzmo Oct 7, 2016

Symphony at the end was amazing!

★ 5.0/10 (34 votes)

Emily Blunt, Gael Garcia Bernal, Phantogram

S2:E23

Stephen welcomes Emily Blunt, Gael Garcia Bernal, and a musical performance by Phantogram.

★ 4.9/10 (27 votes)

Diane Lane, Aja Naomi King, Alingon Mitra

S2:E24

Stephen Diane Lane, Aja Naomi King, and a stand-up comedy performance by Alingon Mitra.

★ 5.2/10 (35 votes)

President Barack Obama, Bill O'Reilly, Randall Park, Bob Weir

S2:E25

Stephen welcomes President Barack Obama, Bill O'Reilly, Randall Park, and a musical performance by Bob Weir.

Season Average Rating Episodes Best Episode Worst Episode
1 ★ 6.6 25
★ 7.5 Vice President Joe Biden, Travis Kalanick, Toby Keith
★ 5.3 Gina Rodriguez, Ben Bernanke, Tame Impala
4 ★ 6.4 25
★ 7.6 John Krasinski, Yvonne Orji
★ 4.6 “Admit It, You Forgot This Happened”
7 ★ 6.3 25
★ 7.1 Jeff Daniels, Nate Burleson
★ 5.4 Rebecca Ferguson
8 ★ 5.4 18
★ 6.1 Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney, James Taylor
★ 4.7 Maggie Haberman
2 ★ 4.9 25
★ 5.7 Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Millie Bobby Brown, The Head and The Heart
★ 4.3 Samantha Bee, Abby Elliott, Asa Butterfield
Stephen Colbert
Cast & Crew

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