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Another episode of The Late Show gave Ben Schwartz and Stephen Colbert once again an opportunity to show off their comical genius. During this moment shared with Schwartz’s Instagram followers, the two actors indulged in unscripted mayhem while causing everyone to roll on the floor with laughter. The best happenings on the late-night circuit are those moments when Schwartz and Colbert riff on each other with perfect timing without any script.
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Schwartz: “And who does Colbert play?” which spiraled into a near-rabid back and forth of both screaming at the top of their lungs, “Knuckles!” The post-show conversation actually continues on how excessively impressed Schwartz was with Colbert’s paying-off-from-the-cuff act. “Not everything I say is written down,” says Colbert, to which Schwartz gives this very exaggerated expression of genuine shock. Comedy-wise, that was a full-Man-Down moment, and the fans went completely wild for it.
One said, “You two are so good together! Colbert’s going to have a little extra free time next year. Maybe he joins the Schwartz and Friends tour?” The thought of Colbert joining Schwartz in his tour is terribly enticing, given how well this duo works together. Another agreed, “I will need more of this unscripted chaos in my late night,” reinforcing how much these impromptu moments actually make late night.
The Late Show took the opportunity to sass about it, stating, “Legend has it those broken mugs are still behind the desk.” That crazily kick-started a fun response from the mini-thread, including a gag on a secret dimension opening during the fangirling session. The exchange between the show’s account and the fans just added one more fun element to the now-viral piece.
The very quick-witted Schwartz, known for Parks and Recreation and Sonic the Hedgehog movies, able to bounce jokes from one to the other with the utmost precision after Colbert, also a veteran improv expert himself, made for a very fresh and very unplanned segment. “Ben you might be the funniest person in existence,” said one fan, as another admitted, “I have such a hard time not seeing this man as Jean-Ralphio Saperstein,” bringing back memories of Schwartz’s epic Parks and Rec character.
Stirring the waters even further, the footage called to mind some of Schwartz’s other work: “Really wicked good,” one fan said about his newest movie with Sam Rockwell, while another wistfully lamented an alternate universe in which Schwartz’s unused creative worlds might have actually gotten off the ground. Half the comment section was filled with praise, half witty jabs, and a fraction wistful for what could have been.
Its exclusivity rests on the artists’ ease within their rhythm; no fake laughs, no layover awkward silences, just two damned funny guys, right at the prime of their art, just doing what they love–one of the splendid few huge reminders of what late night could be when executed well: chilling with funny friends.
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The clip has gathered thousands of likes and comments already, with fans clamouring for more of the duo’s collaborations. Whether that means another Late Show stint or the mythical Schwartz and Friends tour, one thing is for sure: when it’s just the two of them, comedy magic happens. And judging by the mugs, they’re probably not nervous about breaking a few things while at it.