Every now and then life hands you a lemons into lemonade moment, and this one came with bright lights, big cameras, and a third-row seat at The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
After weather postponed the NJNLA Total Pro Expo, where I was scheduled to deliver the keynote, I found myself with unexpected time in the New York City area. Thanks to my friend I secured a seat for the Tuesday 17 February taping. What followed was truly a once in a lifetime experience.
The instructions were crystal clear: no luggage and be in line by 3:30 p.m. Of course, my flight was delayed, traffic from Newark crawled, and I had to stash my bag at a local shop before racing toward the iconic Ed Sullivan Theater. I was the very last person admitted before they closed the doors.
And then, plot twist, I had a VIP ticket!
I was ushered into a special line and seated in the third row near Stephen’s desk. On either side of me sat two of the kindest South Carolinians you could imagine. We bonded instantly and are already planning a Charleston reunion. It is amazing how quickly strangers become friends when you are sharing a surreal moment together.
Once inside, the rules were firm. No phones. That stung a little because I wanted proof I had been there. Still, I managed to sneak a couple of quick photos, knowing I may never sit in that theater again.
The timeline was much longer than I expected. We entered around 4:00, were seated closer to 5:00, and then warmed up by the endlessly entertaining Paul Mecurio. We practiced standing, clapping, cheering, all the choreography that makes television look spontaneous. By the time Stephen stepped onstage, I was already losing my voice.
Then came a full-on concert from Louis Cato and the Late Show band. The energy was electric. The crowd clapped along as if we were in a small arena rather than a historic television studio.
Because phones were tucked away, I had no sense of time, but around 6:30 p.m. the taping began. Just like on television, Stephen entered from center stage and delivered his monologue straight into the camera so viewers at home would feel included. Ironically, even though I was only a few feet away, large cameras blocked my direct view, so I watched much of the monologue on a monitor. It was a fascinating reminder of how television magic actually works.
He nailed it in one take, like the pro that he is!
When he returned to his desk, he addressed the controversy surrounding the censored interview of Texas politician James Talarico, which had been filmed the day prior. Like all things in 2026, communications from CBS and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seem to have been confused, contradictory. Network television operates under federal broadcast regulations, and when corporate leadership chooses caution or worse, are swayed by political alliances, creative voices can be constrained. The interview that had been approved was later edited, reportedly out of concern for compliance and risk exposure. The irony, as Stephen pointed out, was that the edited segment gained even more traction once it was released online. The broader implication is unsettling. When media organizations preemptively censor content out of fear of regulatory or political backlash, it can erode public trust and chill honest discourse. Sitting in that audience, you could feel the weight of that reality. Comedy may be the vehicle, but the stakes are very real.
Stephen’s sincerity resonated deeply. You could feel the weight in the room, that tension between laughter and consequence. He managed to deliver humor while acknowledging the gravity of media decisions unfolding in real time. It was one of those moments when entertainment and journalism blur. His professionalism was striking and it was obvious there was a tremendous amount happening behind the scenes, likely with attorneys who really do micromanage everything, for better or worse.
The first guest was Kaitlan Collins, a poised and thoughtful journalist navigating today’s complicated media landscape. Her composure and clarity stood out. She understands the moment we are living through all too well and spoke candidly about the evolution of political discourse in recent years.
“You should smile more” is the phrase that sadly made her the center of headlines. That is one of the most condescending statements that men say all too often, and as a woman I have heard far too many times, and let’s face it, I smile a LOT! Turns out, so does Kaitlan, when it is appropriate. But not when she is asking about the survivors of sexual assault, Mr. President.
The second guest, historian and author Walter Isaacson, discussed his new book, The Greatest Sentence Ever Written, written in honor of America’s 250th anniversary. The book examines the creation of that iconic line from the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Hearing him unpack the contradictions and aspirations within that statement was powerful, after all, 3 of the 4 authors OWNED SLAVES when they wrote this, so perhaps “ALL MEN” was not such an appropriate word choice. Ironically, he noted, Thomas Jefferson actually had a slave in the room at this time of writing this document.
Another important point Walter Issacson made was that a nation without unity cannot survive, and that is exactly the place that America been for a decade. Under divisive leadership we will never be able to move forward. This point lingered with me the next morning as I prepared to speak to a room full of landscape contractors, a group that always makes me nervous. I often begin my Foodscaping talks with one simple question: “Who in this room eats food?” It breaks tension and provides an even playing field for everyone in the audience to relate to. No matter our differences, we all share that common ground. Plants connect us. Horticulture feeds us. Gardens unite us. I am endlessly grateful for that centering notion.
The finale of the evening was a performance by Irish musician CMAT, who sang from her album Euro Country. I was not familiar with her music beforehand, as I rarely listen to new music, but she performed barefoot with mud splattered on her legs, and suddenly I felt right at home. Her band was talented and energizing, playing real instruments live and in the moment.
Filming wrapped around 8:30 p.m. My new Lowcountry friends and I retrieved my luggage and wandered to McGee's Pub, the location said to have inspired the setting for the TV show How I Met Your Mother. Over Guinness and a Brie safe dinner, we relived the evening while swapping travel stories and mapped out future meetups.
As I reflect on it now, this will likely remain one of the highlights of 2026. Not simply because I sat in the third row of a famous show, but because for a few hours a room full of strangers shared laughter, curiosity, and thoughtful conversation about the state of our world. In uncertain times, that sense of collective engagement matters.
I am deeply grateful to the entire Late Show team for creating a space where humor and truth can coexist and for giving this gardener from North Carolina an unforgettable New York moment. The cancellation of this show will be a loss for everyone.