Welcome to Best of Late Night, a rundown that lets you sleep — and lets us get paid to watch comedy. What do you think of it? What else are you interested in? Let us know: thearts@nytimes.com.
Punch Bowl Pollution
Stephen Colbert said President Trump didn’t exactly play to the crowd with his politically combative speech to the Boy Scouts of America on Tuesday, bragging about his election win and calling Washington a “sewer.” Mr. Colbert pointed out that the Boy Scouts is a nonpartisan organization, “known for their love of civic engagement.”
“They have a deep, abiding, non-cynical, non-ironic belief in our democracy. And Donald Trump took the opportunity to drop a deuce in that punch bowl.” — STEPHEN COLBERT
On “The Daily Show,” Trevor Noah had an equally frank appraisal. He focused on the fact that Mr. Trump took the opportunity to favorably compare himself to his predecessor, Barack Obama.
“Trump sounds less like a president and more like a drunk stepdad. ‘Did your real dad ever take you to Chuck E. Cheese?! Huh? Hah? Let you have a glass of Jack, take you fishing? I’m gonna be sick…’” — TREVOR NOAH
The Mooch Stays in the Hot Seat
Seth Meyers continued to give the new White House communications director, Anthony Scaramucci, a full dose of late-night welcome. Mr. Scaramucci announced on Monday that he would be allowing cameras back into the briefing room.
“Anthony Scaramucci announced that press briefings will be televised again, tweeting yesterday, ‘TV cameras are back on.’ Yeah, I bet they are. Look at that guy. He did not work on his hair that long to go on the radio.” — SETH MEYERS
“Look at him: He’s like a televangelist without the humility.” — SETH MEYERS
Health Bill Wild West
On Tuesday, Senate Republicans voted to continue debating whether to pass a bill repealing the Affordable Care Act. The late-night hosts thought that it was so convoluted it was funny.
“Ahead of the health care vote senators were saying that they had no clue what they’d be voting on. Then Americans said, ‘Hey, just like us during the election.’” — JIMMY FALLON
“The bill was a total mystery. It’s like ‘Westworld’: No one knows exactly what’s going on, but it’s probably going to be a bad thing for women.” — STEPHEN COLBERT
The Punchiest Punchlines (Hot Mike Edition)
“This morning two senators were caught on a hot mike calling President Trump crazy. And when the news came out, literally every member of the Senate was like, ‘Wait, was it me?’” — JIMMY FALLON
“We’re still getting to know Trump’s communications director, Anthony Scaramucci. I saw that his friends like to call him the Mooch. When Trump heard that he was like, ‘Great, now what am I gonna call Don Jr. and Eric?’” — JIMMY FALLON
The Bits Worth Watching
“The Late Show” started with a Boy Scouts horror story about the invasion of a “pumpkin man.”
“You’re spinning a record? It’s a baby? It’s a child?”
What We’re Excited About on Wednesday Night
Michael Moore was among the most prominent figures on the left to predict Mr. Trump’s victory in November. Now he’s starring in a one-man Broadway show. Stephen Colbert will speak to Mr. Moore on “The Late Show” on Wednesday.
Also, Check This Out
Charlize Theron, star of “Atomic Blonde,” has a habit of playing dauntless women who face down great challenges. She revealed to our reporter what draws her to the roles.
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