The Late Show’s

Appendix of Additional Information

(For the Additionally Curious)

Appendix 1 - On the topic of topics.

When choosing a story, find something that's timely and topical - we tend to turn scripts around day-of, and
sometimes hour-of. But more importantly, find something that you feel strongly about. We want to hear your voice
in addition to your jokes, and curiosity is a trait we value highly.

Make sure you're supporting your argument with information from reliable sources. That means major newspapers
or news outlets, not the email that your Uncle Glenn sent about Donald Trump being a hologram projected by
Russian oligarchs based on the moon. As a rule, we try to follow every bit of new information with a good hard
joke.

Appendix B - Tone, Tone, Tone.

If you've chosen a story you feel strongly about, make sure that's reflected into the writing. Having a strong
emotional point of view will always help your script. (If you have no emotions, you are a sophisticated AI
programmed to write jokes to replace human comedy writers. Which is impossible, because that technology won't
exist for another 3 months).

That being said, the tone of The Late Show is rarely angry. The news can be scary and strange, but in general we
find it much more satisfying to laugh at it. Also, make sure the target of your joke isn't the victim. Much like in the
sport of Giraffe Boxing, you should never punch down.

Be economical in how you write, and also, do not use too many words to say the same things repeatedly. If you get
too complicated, it's harder for the audience to follow the story. We often will read our scripts out loud to make sure
they're performable. For the most realistic experience, round up 350 restless tourists to listen.

Appendix III: Script Formatting

Some of you may already know the following information, some of you may not, but we wanted everybody to have
the chance to have their packet seem professional. Different shows use different formats, so in case you're not
familiar, this is ours.

1 - Our scripts, much like many of our President's tweets, are written in ALL CAPS.

2 - Anything that isn't spoken aloud is written in PARENTHESIS. This includes prompts for who is talking, as well
as any stage directions, as well as indicating when Stephen is on or off-camera.

(STEPHEN)
WELCOME TO THIS SAMPLE SCRIPT, I'M STEPHEN COLBERT. IT'S GREAT TO BE HERE.

(STEPHEN CROSSES TO OTHER SIDE OF STAGE)

(STEPHEN)
... AND NOW, IT'S GREAT TO BE HERE.

3 - All ELEMENTS (graphics, footage, props, music, etc.) are indicated in brackets, starting with the word TAKE:
and then the element in question. They are:

A - VIDEO CLIPS are indicated with SOT. Cuts between footage are indicated with (FLASH). Always
transcribe exactly what is being said, and give the details as to who is talking and where the footage is
from. If you have it, include the URL at the end of the element.

[TAKE: SOT: TRUMP (BOY SCOUT JAMBOREE) 7/24/2017: "And he was a very successful
man, became unbelievable -- he was a home builder, became an unbelievable success, and got
more and more successful. (FLASH) And he went out and bought a big yacht, and he had a very
interesting life. I won't go any more than that, because you're Boy Scouts so I'm not going to tell
you what he did. Should I tell you? Should I tell you? (FLASH) You're Boy Scouts, but you know
life. You know life" - https://youtu.be/OLEZeHH1Jlk.]

B – VIDEO WITHOUT SOUND is written as VO.

(STEPHEN)
IN SOUTH KOREA TODAY, ONE OLYMPIC HALFPIPE SKIIER
(VO)
[TAKE: VO: HALFPIPE SKIIER DOES RUN WITH NO TRICKS -
- https://twitter.com/NBCOlympics/status/965746567192997889]
COMPLETED HER RUN WITHOUT ANY NOTABLE TRICKS, PULLING OFF THE RARE
"NO-80".
(ON CAM)

C – FULLSCREEN GRAPHICS are written as FF, and OVER THE SHOULDER GRAPHICS (news style)
are indicated with OTS. Mockups should be marked as such. Source graphics should be indicated if
possible.

[TAKE: FF: MOCKUP: THREE SMALL KELLYANNE CONWAYS ON EACH OTHER'S

SHOULDERS IN A TRENCH COAT]

[TAKE: OTS: JOE BIDEN WEARING SUNGLASSES, EATING ICE CREAM

- http://bit.ly/2Hyow6b]

D – A title that appears over the LOWER THIRD of the screen (or Chyron) below Stephen should appear
as L3.

(STEPHEN)
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT FAKE THINGS, SIMPLY GO TO THIS WEBSITE.
[TAKE: L3: "WWW.NOTAREALWEBSITE.COM"]

E – Props should be indicated as PROP.

(STEPHEN)
THE PRESIDENT ONCE AGAIN PROMISED TO TAKE AWAY OBAMACARE.
(TAKES OUT GLASS OF BOURBON, SIPS IT)
[TAKE: PROP: GLASS OF BOURBON]
 LUCKILY, THIS IS ALL THE MEDICINE I NEED.

F – Music cues or sound effects should be indicated as CART.

[TAKE: CART: "O CANADA" PLAYED ON THEREMIN]

Appendix the Fourth - Sample Script

Starting on the next page, you’ll find a script from a recent Late Show monologue, to help you with yours. Please
don't just submit this one with your name on it, though. We won't fall for that trick a third time.
 The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Monologue Sample
7.18.19

[TAKE: SOT: COLD OPEN]

[TAKE: SOT: SHOW OPEN WITH LIVE BAND]
WELCOME TO THE LATE SHOW. I'M STEPHEN COLBERT.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ADULATION. I NEED IT. IT'S UP THERE WITH OXYGEN, BUT IN LIGHT OF
RECENT RALLIES, I WOULD LIKE YOU TO ENJOY TONIGHT'S GATHERING, BUT I ENCOURAGE YOU
TO:
(CAM TURN)
PLEASE CHANT RESPONSIBLY.
[TAKE: L3: PLEASE CHANT RESPONSIBLY.]
(CAM TURN BACK)
BECAUSE LAST NIGHT DONALD TRUMP'S CROWD DID A BAD THING: EXACTLY WHAT HE WANTED.

YOU SEE, ALL WEEK, EVERY REPUBLICAN HAS BEEN ON DEFENSE OVER TRUMP'S RACIST
TWEETS AGAINST 4 CONGRESSWOMEN KNOWN COLLECTIVELY AS
(CAM TURN)
[TAKE: L3/SOT: THE SQUAD t=:03]
THE SQUAD.
(CAM TURN BACK)
TRUMP WAS CONDEMNED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR HIS RACIST LANGUAGE,
BUT LIKE A CREATURE OF PURE ENERGY ON STAR TREK, OUR HORROR ONLY MAKES HIM
STRONGER.

SO, TRUMP TRIPLED DOWN LAST NIGHT AT A RALLY IN NORTH CAROLINA. HISTORIANS ARE
ALREADY CALLING IT HIS "I WISH IT WAS ALL JUST A BAD DREAM SPEECH."

THE UGLINESS STARTED BEFORE HE WENT DOWN THERE. WHEN ASKED WHETHER HE WAS
RELISHING HIS CONFRONTATION WITH THE CONGRESSWOMEN, TRUMP MADE AN IMPORTANT
DISTINCTION:
(SOT)
[TAKE: SOT A19: TRUMP (CHOP) 7/17/19 CBSN: I'm not relishing the fight, I'm ENJOYING
it . https://video.snapstream.net/Play/9n51cJnYPQuavHGnKY3C5h?accessToken=b9c6s5nvvyj6o T=:03]
(ON CAM)
DOES HE KNOW WHAT "RELISH" MEANS?
(AS TRUMP)
"I'M NOT RELISHING THE FIGHT. I'M NOT MAYO-ING IT. BUT I AM RUSSIAN DRESSING IT."

THE RALLY STARTED WITH TRUMP TELLING THE CROWD JUST HOW BUSY HIS JOB ISN'T.
(SOT)
[TAKE: SOT A21: TRUMP 7/17/19 (MAGA RALLY- GREENVILLE, NC) CSPAN: We have all night. We can
have a lot of fun tonight. *I have nothing to do. Nothing. Nothing. T=:05]
(ON CAM)
(AS TRUMP)
"THAT'S RIGHT, THE ONLY THING ON MY TO-DO LIST WAS "BE RACIST" AND I CHECKED THAT
OFF ON SUNDAY."

BUT TRUMP DOESN'T WANT YOU TO THINK BEING PRESIDENT IS EASY. IT'S TAKEN A TOLL ON
HIS SOCIAL LIFE.
(SOT)
[TAKE: SOT A23: TRUMP 7/17/19 (MAGA RALLY- GREENVILLE, NC) CSPAN:*You lose all your friends
when you're President, because they're all afraid to talk to you.* (FLASH) *I lost all my friends*. They've
tightened up, They've choked. You know what that is? They've choked! They can't breathe *because people
have such respect for the office of the President. They have respect for the office of the President*. T=:21]
(ON CAM)
(AS TRUMP)
"MY FRIENDS ARE ALL COWARDLY, STUCK-UP CHOKE ARTISTS. I HAVE NO IDEA WHY THEY
DON'T TALK TO ME ANYMORE."

HE TALKED ABOUT ONE SPECIFIC FRIEND OF HIS.

(SOT)
[TAKE: SOT A25: TRUMP 7/17/19 (MAGA RALLY- GREENVILLE, NC) CSPAN: I have wonderful friends,
New York developers (FLASH) Rich guys, call up, "Uh, Mr. President. How are you, sir? Uh, it's
Richard" T=:08]
(ON CAM)
OH, YOUR RICH FRIEND IS.... RICHARD?
(AS TRUMP)
"I HAVE RICH FRIENDS LIKE.... RICH...ARD. AND POWERFUL FRIENDS LIKE.... POW...ARD."

THEN, TRUMP TALKED ABOUT MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE FACING OUR COUNTRY:
HIS OLD REALITY SHOW:
(SOT)
[TAKE A27: SOT: TRUMP 7/17/19 (MAGA RALLY- GREENVILLE, NC) CSPAN: WHENEVER I HEAR
THAT, APPRENTICE, I SAY I LOVE THAT WORD, THAT WAS A GOOD SHOW. THEY FIGURED, YOU
KNOW WHAT WE'LL DO? WE WILL GET ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER TO TAKE MY PLACE. THAT
DIDN'T WORK OUT TOO WELL. THAT DIDN'T WORK OUT TOO WELL. WE HAD 14 SEASONS. THINK
OF THAT. THE APPRENTICE! I PROUDLY SIGNED FOUR BIPARTISAN HUMAN TRAFFICKING
LAWS. T=:26]
(ON CAM)
WHOA! THE 14TH SEASON OF THE APPRENTICE SOUNDS INCREDIBLE.
(AS TRUMP)
"GARY BUSEY, YOUR CHALLENGE IS: OPEN A LEMONADE STAND. MEATLOAF, YOUR CHALLENGE
IS: END THE GLOBAL SLAVE TRADE."

THEN TRUMP'S BRAIN REALLY TOOK A LEAVE OF ABSENCE:

(SOT)
[TAKE: SOT A29: TRUMP 7/17/19 (MAGA RALLY- GREENVILLE, NC) CSPAN: *The same day there is
another crucial election in north Carolina ninth condit--- you know what-- right? You know what we're talking
about*? T=:09]
(ON CAM)
NO! NO ONE KNOWS WHAT YOU MEAN BY "THE NINTH COND-OOEY." BUT I'M PRETTY SURE IT'S
A SLUR AGAINST IMMIGRANTS.
(AS TRUMP)
"YOU KNOW WHO REALLY NEEDS TO GO BACK HOME? THE DAMN COND-
OOEY. SPEAK ENGLISH, COND-OOEY."

THEN TRUMP TURNED HIS LIDLESS EYE TO THE 4 CONGRESSWOMEN, CALLING THEM OUT BY
NAME AND HAD A LITTLE TROUBLE WITH ONE OF THEM.
(SOT)
[TAKE: SOT A33: Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AUDIENCE: BOO) (FLASH) Cortez --
somebody said, that's not her name. It's -- they said, that's not her name, sir. I said, no, no. I don't have time
to go with three different names. We'll call her Cortez. Too much time. Takes too much time. T=:12]
(ON CAM)
(AS TRUMP)
"IT TAKES TOO MUCH TIME TO SAY THREE NAMES. TIME I COULD BE SPENDING WITH MY DEAR
FRIENDS MOHAMMED BIN SALMAN, KIM JONG UN, AND K-F-C."

THEN TRUMP FANNED THE FLAMES OF THE CROWD'S... WOULD YOU BELIEVE "ECONOMIC
ANXIETY?"
(SOT)
[TAKE: SOT A31: TRUMP (GREENVILLE, RALLY) 7/17/19 CSPAN: I have a suggestion for the *hate-filled
extremists who are constantly trying to tear our country down* T=:07]
(ON CAM)
(AS TRUMP)
"COME TO MY RALLY - YOU'LL FIT RIGHT IN!"

HE WENT ON ABOUT THE CONGRESSWOMEN:

(SOT)
[TAKE: SOT A37: TRUMP (GREENVILLE, RALLY) 7/17/19 CSPAN: They never have anything good to say.
That's why I say, hey, if they don't like it, let them leave. Let them leave. (Scattered applause) (FLASH) IF
THEY DON'T LOVE IT, THEY CAN LEAVE
IT. https://video.snapstream.net/Play/7spMXzM7AXjejXZIduWSw2?accessToken=b89kkrnil0ynm T=:09]
(ON CAM)
(AS TRUMP)
"IF THEY DON'T LOVE IT, THEY CAN LEAVE IT. OR, WHEN IT TURNS FORTY, THEY CAN LEAVE
IT. Y'KNOW WHEN AMERICA'S PURPLE MOUNTAINS START DROOPING TOWARD THE FRUITED
PLAINS, IT'S TIME TO GET OUT OF THERE."

SO, HE SAID THAT THESE WOMEN SHOULD LEAVE THE COUNTRY. LET'S SEE IF THE CROWD IS
ABLE TO PICK UP ON THAT SUBTLE MESSAGING, WHEN HE STARTS TALKING ABOUT MINNESOTA
CONGRESSWOMAN ILHAN OMAR.
(SOT)
[TAKE: SOT A43: TRUMP (GREENVILLE, RALLY) 7/17/19 CSPAN: AND SHE LOOKS DOWN WITH
CONTEMPT ON THE HARDWORKING AMERICANS SAYING THAT IGNORANCE IS PERVASIVE IN
MANY PARTS OF THIS COUNTRY. (AUDIENCE: BOO- START OF CHANT "SEND HER BACK") AND
OBVIOUSLY AND IMPORTANTLY, OMAR HAS A HISTORY OF LAUNCHING VICIOUS ANTI-SEMITIC
SCREEDS. (FULL CROWD "SEND HER BACK" CHANT) T=:32]
(ON CAM)
WOW, THAT IS AN UGLY CHANT. BUT IT WAS PRETTIER IN THE ORIGINAL GERMAN.

I NEVER THOUGHT I'D SAY THIS, BUT THESE RALLIES WHERE A NATIONALIST LEADER WHIPS
PEOPLE UP INTO A RACIST FRENZY MIGHT HAVE A DARK SIDE.

THIS CHANT DID NOT HELP TRUMP'S IMAGE AS NOT-A-RACIST, SO THIS AFTERNOON, HE TRIED
TO DISTANCE HIMSELF FROM HIS OWN IDEA.
(SOT)
[TAKE: SOT A45: KARL 7/18/19 (OVAL): MR. PRESIDENT, IF I MAY, WHEN YOUR SUPPORTERS
WERE CHANTING "SEND HER BACK" LAST NIGHT, WHY DIDN'T YOU STOP THEM, ASK THEM TO
STOP SAYING THAT. TRUMP 7/18/19 (OVAL): WELL, NUMBER ONE, I THINK I DID. I STARTED
SPEAKING VERY QUICKLY. T=:12]
(ON CAM)
OKAY, YOU STARTED SPEAKING VERY QUICKLY TO STOP THEM FROM CHANTING. LET'S SEE
HOW VERY QUICKLY YOU STARTED.
(SOT)
[TAKE: SOT: (FULL CROWD "SEND HER BACK" CHANT) UNTIL HE STARTS TALKING AGAIN. WITH
COUNTUP CLOCK. TRUMP (GREENVILLE, RALLY) 7/17/19 CSPAN: AND SHE TALKED ABOUT THE
EVIL ISRAEL T=:13]
(ON CAM)
OKAY, FIRST OF ALL, YOU DIDN'T CUT THEM OFF. YOU LET THEM FULLY GET THEIR HATE
ROCKS OFF. SECOND, THAT'S YOUR IDEA OF QUICK? I LOOK FORWARD TO THE DONALD
TRUMP INVITATIONAL TRACK MEET.
(SOT)
[TAKE: SOT: ANNCR: ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, (GUN SHOT) WAIT THIRTEEN SECONDS AND
THEN THEY RUN."AND THEY'RE OFF!" t=:18]
(ON CAM)
THE REPORTER PRESSED HIM FURTHER:
(SOT)
[TAKE: SOT: KARL 7/18/19 (OVAL): SO YOU WILL TELL YOUR SUPPORTERS NEVER TO... TRUMP
7/18/19 (OVAL): WELL, I WILL SAY THAT I WAS NOT HAPPY WITH IT. I DISAGREE WITH IT. BUT,
AGAIN, I DIDN'T SAY THAT. THEY DID. T=:13]
(ON CAM)
WOW! TRUMP SUPPORTERS, DID YOU SEE HIM THROW YOU UNDER THE BUS? PROBABLY NOT,
SINCE YOU HAVE A TIRE ON YOUR FACE.

AND YOU DISAGREE WITH IT? HEY, THIS IS YOUR PARTY. YOU'RE THE BRIDE AT THE WHITE
POWER WEDDING. AND YOU SENT OUT SOME LOVELY ENGRAVED INVITATIONS:
(VO)
[TAKE: FF: MOCKUP INVITATION: PLEASE JOIN ME ON THE DARK SIDE. PICK ONE: CHICKEN,
FISH, OR RACE WAR.]
(AS TRUMP)
"PLEASE JOIN ME ON THE DARK SIDE. PICK ONE: CHICKEN, FISH, OR RACE WAR."
(ON CAM)
AND FOR PETE'S SAKE, IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE A DEMAGOGUE, AT LEAST GROW A PAIR AND
TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT YOU INSPIRED THEM TO CHANT, WUSSI-LINI.

YOU CREATED THAT CROWD. YOU'RE LIKE DR. FRANKENSTEIN SAYING,

(AS DR. FRANKENSTEIN)
"I DIDN'T STRANGLE THOSE VILLAGERS, THAT WAS MY MONSTER! ALL I DID WAS SEW
TOGETHER SOME DEAD BODIES, ZAP IT WITH LIGHTNING, DENY IT LOVE, SET IT
LOOSE, AND MENTION THAT I KNEW SOME PEOPLE WHO COULD USE A GOOD STRANGLIN'!"

WE'VE GOT A GREAT SHOW FOR YOU TONIGHT. NORAH O'DONNELL IS HERE. BUT WHEN WE
RETURN, MEANWHILE! STICK AROUND!
[TAKE: SOT: SPONSOR BILLBOARD BUMPER]