Trevor Noah Defends Florida Congresswoman Attacked by John Kelly

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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.

‘No One Knows What That Means’

Trevor Noah on Monday took up the cause of Representative Frederica Wilson, the Florida congresswoman who’s become embroiled in a war of words with the White House over President Trump’s call to a military widow. When the chief of staff, John Kelly, called Ms. Wilson “an empty barrel,” Mr. Noah had a sharp comeback at the ready.

“Wow. Where I come from you don’t call someone an empty barrel. Because no one knows what that means.” — TREVOR NOAH

In an address to reporters, Mr. Kelly went on to accuse Ms. Wilson of grandstanding at an event two years earlier, but a tape of the event seemed to disprove his account. Mr. Noah said he owed her an apology.

“People don’t realize, but she’s not only a four-term congresswoman. She’s a former educator with a master’s degree. She was a member of the Florida State Legislature. And she also founded the 5,000-people Role Models program. The same program that helped a young man named La David Johnson graduate from Miami public schools to become a celebrated Green Beret. So, she’s not an empty barrel; she’s someone who deserves an apology.” — TREVOR NOAH

What Did Bush Say to Obama?

At a benefit for victims of recent hurricanes, President George W. Bush leaned over at one point and muttered something to President Barack Obama that made him crack up. We may never know what it was — but Stephen Colbert has a few guesses.

“Hey, were you born in Kenya?”

“Twenty bucks if you pants Clinton right now.”

“Yo, real quick — where’s Puerto Rico?”

“This morning, I painted a Shih Tzu.”

The Punchiest Punchlines (J.F.K. Files Edition)

“President Trump announced that he’s releasing thousands of files on J.F.K., even though they were already set to be released. And he said, ‘Not only that, I’m declaring Oct. 31 Halloween.’” — JIMMY FALLON

“Because Lee Harvey Oswald took a mysterious trip to Mexico weeks before the assassination, some historians are concerned that the documents could be damaging to U.S.-Mexico relations. Oh, I think that ship has sailed.” — STEPHEN COLBERT

The Bits Worth Watching

Method Man versus James Corden in a rap battle? It’s hardly a battle.

Seth Meyers dove into Mr. Trump’s eventful weekend and took a moment to appreciate what seems to be the president’s favorite sound effect.

What We’re Excited About on Tuesday Night

On Tuesday, Jimmy Kimmel will welcome Lin-Manuel Miranda, the writer of “Hamilton” and, more recently, of the hit song “Almost Like Praying,” released as a benefit for Puerto Rico.

Also, Check This Out

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Unlike Kehinde Wiley, Mr. Obama’s official portrait artist, the distinctive contemporary painter Amy Sherald is not an especially well-known name in the art world. But the Smithsonian selected her to paint Michelle Obama’s portrait, and her work has started to turn heads.

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