Welcome to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, where the excitement never ends! On the latest episode, Stephen starts off by wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and happy holidays. But amidst the celebrations, there’s a looming threat of a government shutdown. The proposal for a three-month stop-gap funding extension was rejected, raising concerns about the functioning of the government if a deal isn’t reached by midnight tomorrow.
Interestingly, the government shutdown may have been influenced by unexpected tweets from Elon Musk. Described as an expert at blowing things up, Musk expressed his opposition to the funding extension bill just hours before President Trump echoed his sentiment. This led some people to jokingly refer to Musk as the “president.”
The potential government shutdown has also cast doubt on Speaker Mike Johnson‘s ability to maintain his position. Wrangling the House Republican caucus is no easy task, and it seems like Johnson might have to look for a more pleasant job in the future.
While a government shutdown may not seem like an immediate concern to some, it can have far-reaching consequences. In previous shutdowns, inspections of chemical and water treatment plants, routine food safety inspections, and operations of federally-run museums and national parks were all impacted. Let’s hope for a swift resolution to avoid any disruption.
Moving on to some breaking news, former Florida House member Matt Gates is in the spotlight again. After being nominated for Attorney General, Gates faced backlash and withdrew his nomination due to allegations of illicit drug use and sex trafficking. The House Ethics Committee reportedly investigated the matter, and the report is scheduled to be released tomorrow. Stay tuned for some hot fresh jokes on that in January.
In health news, the US has reported the first severe human case of bird flu. While officials assure the general public that the risk is low, those who work with birds, poultry, or cows, or have recreational exposure to them, are advised to be cautious. The bird flu has already affected cattle in California. If human-to-human transmission occurs, it could potentially trigger a pandemic—a situation nobody wants.
Switching gears to entertainment, the Charlotte Hornets decided to apologize for a halftime skit gone wrong. They gave a PlayStation 5 to a 13-year-old fan during the skit, only to take it away once the cameras stopped rolling. Fortunately, the young fan didn’t leave empty-handed and received a jersey instead. It’s safe to say the Hornets had a misstep with their gift-giving this time.
As we explore Christmas traditions around the world, we come across some interesting and, at times, bizarre customs. In Iceland, there’s a mythical Yule cat that roams the snowy countryside, looking for people who haven’t received new clothes before Christmas. Italy has Bufana, a gift-giving crone who leaves treats for children. Bufana’s gifts are seen as a cosmic apology for missing the birth of Jesus. Catalonia, Spain, celebrates with a “pooping log” that children beat with sticks to make it “poop” gifts.
In Wales, they keep things both joyful and terrifying with the Mari luid tradition. This involves a horse skull dressed up with ribbons, mounted on a pole, and accompanied by singers. The Mari luid visits homes, pubs, and other gathering places, showcasing its unique and somewhat eerie charm.
Lastly, don’t miss out on the rest of the episode, featuring guest Edward Norton and a special holiday performance by Louis KO and the L show band. And of course, stay tuned for the annual holiday cartoon. This episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert promises to keep you entertained from start to finish.
Don’t forget to catch the latest episode of the beloved talk show, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, where Stephen’s witty remarks and engaging guests make for a delightful evening.
