What Stephen Colbert has said about The Lord of the Rings film trilogy

3 quotes · 1 episode · Apr 6, 2026

Stephen Colbert, American comedian and host of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, has been quoted on The Lord of the Rings film trilogy 3 times in 1 episode of SmartLess, most recently on April 6, 2026. Each quote below is verbatim and links to the moment it was said.

In their words

  • Colbert argued the Lord of the Rings films are generally considered the only perfect trilogy.

    “That trilogy is generally considered among the cognizanti in this world to be the only perfect trilogy. It's perfectly executed”

    SmartLess: "Stephen Colbert" (Apr 6, 2026) · Listen from 57:55

  • Colbert said that despite admiring the films he is primarily a reader of the books, which he rereads constantly.

    “I read the books constantly. Oh, you do? I love the movies. I admire so much what they did with it. But I'm a book guy”

    SmartLess: "Stephen Colbert" (Apr 6, 2026) · Listen from 58:33

  • Colbert joked that his own knowledge is broad but extremely shallow outside of Lord of the Rings, proposing a podcast called A Dangerous Thing.

    “I have broad but very shallow, like you cannot get your ankles wet in my level of knowledge in most things other than The Lord of the Rings”

    SmartLess: "Stephen Colbert" (Apr 6, 2026) · Listen from 54:05

Episodes

  • "Stephen Colbert"

    SmartLess · Apr 6, 2026 · 1 h 5 min

    Stephen Colbert joins the SmartLess hosts for their 300th episode to discuss sketch-comedy beginnings, the end of his Late Show, and Lord of the Rings fandom.

Stephen Colbert on other topics