thank you for watching stay tuned for "late night with seth meyers. goodnight, everybody thank you so much! [ cheers and applause ♪ ♪ [ cheers and applause ♪ >> announcer: from 30 rockefeller plaza in new york, it's "late night with seth meyers. tonight -- sterling k. brown, star of "night court," actress melissa rauch. an all-new "closer look. featuring the 8g band with colleen clark. ♪ and now, seth meyers

>> seth: good evening. i'm seth meyers. this is "late night. we hope you're doing well, and now, if you don't mind i'm going to get to the news a manhattan jury on friday ordered former president trump to pay nearly $84 million in his civil defamation case. well, that explains the new fund-raising amounts [ laughter ] former president trump said at a rally in las vegas over the weekend that he feels, quote, "feels sharper now than i did 20 years ago." of course based on all of his testimony he doesn't remember a single thing from 20 years ago [ light laughter ] the white house is set to hold a live streamed event tomorrow with high school students. the event is called "seniors for seniors. [ laughter ] the biden campaign is reportedly hoping to get an endorsement from taylor swift, though personally, i think they're going about it all wrong [ laughter ] when asked in an interview yesterday about former president trump's false birther attacks against her, presidential

candidate nikki haley said, quote, "when he feels threatened he starts to throw all kinds of things out there." said trump, "she's sleeping with fauci. [ laughter ] california governor gavin newsom said in an interview yesterday that democrats have done a much better job in recent months of selling their accomplishments, and added that the party has the receipts from three years of the biden administration because like most guys his age, biden's been keeping all of them in his wallet. [ laughter ] "yeah, you never know, you never know when you're going to need a receipt to prove you bought something. [ laughter ] just keep -- keep it with you. [ light laughter ] keep it in your wallet." in a new interview, republican senator tim scott said that average americans are quote, "not talking about the lawsuits against former president trump." you know what else they're not talking about? tim scott. [ laughter ] russian president vladimir putin was formally registered today for the upcoming election in march, and i've seen enough! with zero precincts reporting

i'm calling for putin. [ laughter ] a man in - [ light laughter ] a man in california recently set the guinness world record for largest collection of hotel key cards. and in a very related story they finally caught the sacramento strangler. [ laughter ] [ audience ohs ] yeah, i felt if same way when i read it. it makes you laugh at first and then you're like, "oh! oh, god. [ laughter ] climate activists at the louvre in paris over the weekend threw pumpkin soup on the mona lisa. though i think it's a little off message to go after a lady who didn't even have a car [ light laughter ] [ laughter ] oh, was that the issue oh, what -- that joke was cut? oh, interesting, yeah. [ laughter ] well, i can't say we were proven wrong. [ laughter and applause so, i'm sorry, so there's a lot

wrong with it, but was the issue that the ring thing was up the whole time that was one of the issues, yeah, yeah [ laughter ] certainly going to be an interesting meeting after the show i hope at least there's one person there who's like, "i thought it went good." [ laughter ] the doorbell security camera company ring -- do we want to go to the next graphic or do we want to keep -- oh, let's just - [ laughter ] the doorbell security camera company ring announced last week that it would no longer allow police departments to request users' footage, but then reminded customers that they do still have a binding contract with "america's funniest home videos." [ laughter ] a french tourist at arkansas's crater of diamond state park recently found a seven carat diamond. wow, that is hard to believe, someone in france took a vacation to arkansas [ laughter ]

the locals must have been super psyched when they found the diamond. [ in french accent ] "oh, look at this. [ laughter ] [ french sounds [ laughter ] just a lot, a lot's happened this monologue i just feel like -- i mean, it's almost over but i feel like we've been through a lot [ laughter ] and finally, a russian man who flew from denmark to los angeles without a passport last year was found guilty last week of being a stowaway and faces up to five years in prison. or worse -- a return flight on alaska airlines. you guys - [ laughter and applause i feel like a couple more weeks? a couple more weeks, where that will be a fair punchline [ cheers and applause you guys, that was the monologue. we made it we made it through we got a great show for you tonight. he's an emmy winner you know from "this is us" and "american crime story," and now an academy award nominee for "american fiction," which is in theaters now our friend sterling k. brown is on the show. [ cheers and applause

you know her from "the big bang theory," and of course she's the star of "night court" here on nbc. melissa rauch is also back on the show joining us. [ cheers and applause before we get to all that, donald trump told his own supporters they could not pass a cognitive test to screen for dementia meanwhile, even fox news, of all networks, essentially told trump to shut up after he was ordered to pay a stunning $83 million in the e. jean carroll defamation trial. for more on this, it's time for "a closer look." [ cheers and applause ♪ >> seth: it's easy to forget, but there is still a person named nikki haley, and she is still running against donald trump and i will say there's something very karmic about her candidacy. like, you know how donald trump is so irritating to the rest of us how we wake up every day asking why the [ bleep ] are you still here [ light laughter ] that's how donald trump feels about nikki haley. [ laughter ] he wants her to go away so badly, but she's still in the race, and she's ramping up her attacks on him, focusing specifically on his mental state.

>> there are multiple things that i think are the reason he should not be president that's the whole reason i'm running. i do think that he is in decline. on election night we were super excited, we had moved 25 points in the three weeks leading up to the election and donald trump was totally unhinged unhinged >> seth: i like to imagine that when trump heard that he reacted very calmly. just quietly look the remote, switched off his tv, and turned to his assembled team and said, "that's a very unfair characterization - [ laughter ] -- of my myriad of public statements i'll admit that i make the occasional verbal faux pas [ light laughter ] but that's no reason to stoop to ad hominem attacks is there no place left in the political arena for civility [ light laughter ] that's my query for you, bird-brained haley!" [ laughter ] now, calling trump unhinged is both correct, and a little rich coming from nikki haley, who worked under trump as his u.n. ambassador in 2017 and 2018.

a time no one recalls as "the hinged years." [ laughter ] the books about that time have titles like "peril," and "rage," not "all good," and "fully on the hinges." [ laughter ] so, apologies that when you say he's unhinged, we don't lean forward and say, "tell us more, nikki! i get that you probably don't watch this show, but we've been saying that for ten years. if i even hover my finger over the letter "u" on my keyboard, it auto fills unhinged and in typical trump fashion he has reacted to the accusation that he's unhinged by acting unhinged, first by comparing himself to a racehorse >> you know i had an uncle, he's the longest-serving professor -- dr. john trump -- in the history of m.i.t same genes, we have genes, we're smart people [ cheers ] we're smart people, you know we're like racehorses, mr. lieutenant governor. we're like racehorses too. you know, the fast ones produce the fast ones, and the slow ones, doesn't work out so well, right? >> seth: he's your uncle

people pay stud fees for the triple crown winner, not his brother. "what's the stud fee for american pharoah ooh, 180k, that's a little rich for my blood he got a brother dave the horse yeah, let's do that. [ laughter ] also, the main thing racehorses are known for is speed, which is just not your thing. i'd love to see a horse named donald trump in the kentucky derby. "and they're off sailor's delight is in the lead, followed closely by shooting star and all the way in the rear, why, it's donald trump, who seems to be wandering aimlessly in circles [ laughter ] he has no idea where he is, or what she's doing looks like his next stop is going to be the glue factory." [ laughter ] that was not the end of trump's rant about his mental acumen he then talked once again about the cognitive tests he took in the white house. the one where they screen you not for super intelligence but for dementia, and told his own audience that most them could not pass it. >> the first couple of questions are easy like, you'll have a lion, a giraffe, a whale, and a shark.

and they'll say, "which one's the lion?" okay or they'll give you six names in a row. i took a lot of heat on this they give you six names in a row. at the beginning, "sir, gonna give you six names." good they look at them, a chair a hat. a badge. a necklace and a boat those things, we're going to give you six things. and i said, "good, what's going on?" "can you rename them?" so i name them then they go back, and if you can do it in order, that's even better i do them in order, perfect. then they come back to you 30 minutes later at the end, last question they say, "what were those six things?" and there are aren't too many people -- and i get -- they laughed. everyone said "oh, that's so easy." it was only about 2% of this room can do it, but i did it, i did it very easily but i got mocked they said, "oh, that's so easy." it's not easy. it's not easy. >> seth: historically, it would be considered a gaffe when a candidate for higher office told

a group of voters they're so dumb only 2% of them could answer "which one is the lion? [ laughter ] but trump does it and it gets an applause break i guess america is in divided and i'm in the half whose reaction to that would be, "mother [ bleep ], i can find the lion!" [ laughter ] also the hard part doesn't even sound hard here, let's go back to this example. >> they give you six names in a row. at the beginning, "sir, gonna give you six names." good they look at them, a chair a hat. a badge. a necklace and a boat >> seth: one problem, that's five things. [ laughter ] are you underreporting the number of things for tax purposes [ laughter and applause also, he definitely -- he definitely got -- he definitely got those five things from just looking around "they give you six things. a microphone, a teleprompter, a retiree, a plane, or a bird, because it's too far away, i can't tell [ laughter ] and let me -- and another teleprompter." but other than that, you nailed it although, what trump said right

after that would also be worrying to me, if i was a medical professional >> we're going to give you six things and i said, "good, what's going on?" >> seth: it's -- [ laughter ] it's probably not ideal in the middle of your dementia screening test to say the words "what's going on?" [ laughter ] that's the first thing they teach you at kaplan dementia prep [ laughter ] "you know i aced the test, they brought me into this room and i said 'where am i?' and they said, 'mr. president,' and i was like, 'who are you talking to?' and then they put up six fingers. one, two, three, four, six, and then i said, 'what's going on? i shouldn't be here, i'm supposed to be running in the kentucky derby.' and the doctor said, 'congratulations, you aced the test.' and i said, 'that's what my name is dr. john trump.'" [ laughter ] but trump did not stop there he's been obsessed with this topic. in a recent interview with fox news he cited as his expert witness his former white house doctor ronny jackson >> i think i'm a lot sharper than her. i would do this, i would sit down right now and take an aptitude test, and it would be

my result against her result and she's not going to win not going to even come close to winning. in fact, when i heard the word "cognitive," you know, i've taken two of them now. i took one with doc ronny, who's now a fantastic, you know, white house doctor, and a fantastic congressman from texas >> seth: i personally would not cite as my sole medical expert a guy who was allegedly called the candy man for the way he handed out pills, and who was detained by police at a rodeo that's a real thing that happened he reportedly cursed at state troopers and had to be pinned to the ground as a rule, when at a rodeo, try not to behave in a way that makes you look like an event at a rodeo. [ laughter ] in his defense, they were probably just out to get dr. ronny because he was a republican we all know how liberal rodeo cops are [ laughter ] if that happened to my -- "oh, man, i'm watching 'maddow' what do you mean he's giving you a hard time? if that happened to my doctor i think i'd find someone else. "sorry i'm late to surgery, i

just got in a scuffle with police at a rodeo. tried to give one of the bulls some adderall, and i guess that's against the rules now anyway, enough about me. let's find your appendix." in fact, if i were trump i would avoid citing the expertise of his white house medical unit altogether after details of a bizarre scandal involving prescription drugs emerged recently according to a damning new report, the white house medical unit had severe and systemic problems with its pharmacy operations and provided healthcare to ineligible staffers the probe focused on the a three-year period during the trump administration the white house medical unit dispensed prescription medications, including controlled substances, to ineligible white house staff wait a second, you're telling me this guy might have been on pills? [ laughter ] i don't want to speculate because we don't know, but also, come on, we know the mood swings, the insomnia, the dry mouth, the incoherent babbling he's the human embodiment of the scroll at the end of a drug commercial [ laughter ] he looks like he took viagra, and it worked on every part of his body except his penis. [ laughter ]

according to the report, controlled medications, including the sleeping pill ambien and the stimulant provigil were dispensed without verifying the patient's identity a witness told investigators that "one doctor asked if i could 'hook up' this person with provigil as a parting gift for leaving the white house. in the unit it was authorized for us to do that kind of stuff. i work in show business and even i have never been offered provigil as a parting a gift i once went to the nbc doctor and said, "hey, i need a little pick me up before the show," and they made me sign 50 forms and then gave me two non-drowsy sudafeds, and a bill [ laughter ] what's especially notable about this report is that right wing media used to claim without any evidence that joe biden was the one who was on drugs >> his staff, supervised by dr. jill, his wife, was giving him pills before every public appearance checking the time, and at a certain hour, giving him a dose of something now, it's not a guess. we're not making that up we've spoken directly to someone who was there and saw it happen, multiple times now, before taking the

medication, this person said biden was, quote, "like a small child. you could not communicate with him. he changed completely because he was on drugs and he clearly still is on drugs. >> seth: we're not making that up we've spoken to someone who was there. and saw it happen multiple times. his name is devon, he's 16, and he works at the mobil station. he told me he sold drugs to joe biden and i believe him, because he sold drugs to me too. [ laughter ] but when i got home, i opened the baggie and realized it wasn't marijuana, it was just pencil shavings. i'd been pranked so i went back to the mobil station to confront devon, and asked for my $100 back, but he laughed at me. so i asked to speak to his manager kyle, who was also 16 and also laughed at me. [ light laughter ] so i tried to jump over the counter to get the real weed, but it was higher than it looked and i hit my knee and i fell backwards into a rack of adult magazines. and while embarrassed i also became visibly aroused [ laughter ] and everyone in the gas station started laughing at me, so i closed my eyes and thought of the only thing that makes me happy -- the sexy green m&m [ laughter ]

and that's how i know joe biden uses drugs for any other president finding out that the white house medical unit was handing out pills like a party favor would be a pretty big scandal. but of course, for trump, it barely even registers because he, you know, everything else. in the e. jean carroll defamation trial, for example, a jury on friday ordered trump to pay a stunning $83 million and even fox news drew the conclusion that trump should maybe just stop talking. >> in new york a jury is ordering former president donald trump to pay more than $83 million in a defamation lawsuit brought by e. jean carroll. >> the whole point of this, this enormous damages, unprecedented damages, now, is to tell donald trump to shut up. stop attacking people who are no longer public citizens stop attacking people. you've already lost, and the court has already said what you've done is liable. by continuing to defy the court by saying these things, he's showing a fundamental disrespect for the justice system, and for the views of his fellow citizens, the jurors i mean, this is not a judge who's punishing him.

this is a randomly selected jury of his peers >> seth: you know it's bad when even fox news, the network that gives trump unfiltered airtime, is telling him to shut up. 83 million really is a shocking number that's three times the supposed market value of mar-a-lago trump would have to sell mar-a-lago three times the only person who would fall for that is rudy giuliani. [ laughter ] and he doesn't have the money either that's the only way to teach trump any lessons, through his wallet he doesn't care about anything else although, good luck getting him to pay when they show up to collect the money, trump's going to take off like our close biological cousin the racehorse. [ laughter ] this is a presidential election. ideally it would be about policy and the things that actually affect people's lives. instead a guy who's been found liable for defamation and sexual abuse is spending most of his time bragging about acing a dementia test. if trump is going to pay that 83 million, he might have to sell off some of his personal belongings, like, say -- >> a chair a hat. [ laughter ] a badge. a necklace and a boat >> seth: this has been "a closer look." [ cheers and applause ♪

we'll be right back with sterling k. brown, everybody [ cheers and applause ♪ >> announcer: for more of seth's "closer looks," be sure to subscribe to "late night" on youtube. need to be at your best? you need an antiperspirant that goes beyond. dove men with 72 hour protection, plus care for your skin. so you can forget your underarms and focus on being unforgettable.

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♪ [ cheers and applause >> seth: give it up for the fantastic 8g band right over there. [ cheers and applause sitting in with us this week, she is an assistant professor at the university of south carolina, where she founded the national music program jazz girls day her band alliance will release their debut album march 15th, "on shifting paradigms." follow her on instagram @colleendrums. colleen clark is here, everybody. [ cheers and applause thank you so much for being here, colleen. our first guest tonight is a producer and emmy award-winning actor you know from shows such as "this is us" and "american crime story," and films like "waves" and "black panther."

he just received his first academy award nomination for his role as cliff in "american fiction," which is in theaters now. please welcome back to the show our friend sterling k. brown, everybody. [ cheers and applause ♪ ♪ [ cheers and applause >> seth: i mean. [ cheers and applause i mean -- sterling >> what's up, buddy? >> seth: i've grown accustomed to having you come on and introducing you as an emmy award-winning actor. >> sure. >> seth: but academy award-nominated, it has a nice ring to it. >> it's not terrible >> seth: it's not -- it's pretty good >> i dig it. it's pretty cool >> seth: it's pretty good. we were talking backstage. >> yeah. >> seth: it's very exciting, when you get nominated for one of these awards, there's a ton of events. >> yeah. >> seth: not just the press tour but also, you get to hang out with the other nominees, and it's a pretty good bunch >> this is very true

i got a chance to hang out -- she wasn't nominated this year for an academy award, but she was nominated for an emmy. meryl streep >> seth: yes >> we were at this -- yeah >> seth: yeah. >> that's the right -- that's the right thing. because if you know anything about me, i'm a big streep fan >> seth: yeah. >> and she saw "american fiction," and she told me how much she enjoyed my work, and she kissed me. >> seth: yeah. [ light laughter ] >> she kissed me like right there, and my wife saw it so it's legit [ laughter ] like, it's not a thing >> seth: yeah. >> but it's also a thing >> seth: does it bother you at all -- [ laughter ] does it bother you at all knowing that if she hadn't seen it and was just lying to you, you wouldn't be able to tell because she's so good? [ light laughter ] >> no, as long as i wind up with the kiss that's all i really cared about. [ laughter ] >> seth: the kiss was real >> that's it >> seth: have you tried to get any friends and family to start referring to as the academy award-nominated sterling k. -- >> not just yet. my son -- so i got nominated for a few things before. i got nominated for a s.a.g. award, what have you and my son loves to sort of take the crap out of me >> seth: yeah. >> and he's like, "what is this?" >> seth: how old what do we got >> he's 12 >> seth: yeah, that's the take a crap age >> yeah, yeah, yeah, he's like,

"what's that, the stupid ass gorilla award? >> seth: okay, got you >> that's like "sag" sort of thing. >> seth: s.a.g., you got to be honest was asking for it >> there you go. there you go so i was like, "yeah, whatever." so then i showed up it's like, "hey, you know, i got nominated for an oscar." you know and then he goes, oh, yeah, is that -- wh - >> seth: too many letters. >> and then he was like, "congrats, dad." >> seth: there you go. [ laughter ] [ cheers and applause >> it's cool it's cool. >> seth: now i will say, you shared this on social media. you had a real -- you know, at the end of the day, yes, you're an actor >> yeah. >> seth: but based how you found out, you are a dad first >> i am. >> seth: and i found that very endearing. because, everybody always said, "how did you find out? >> yeah. >> seth: and the way you found out is more in line with my life as a dad than certainly my life as an actor. >> totally, because you have younger -- you have seven, five, and two. i fell asleep in the bedroom with him i had my phone on. the phone died i woke up in the middle of the night, got off the floor, went to my bed with my wife, which is where i'm supposed to sleep. i charge my phone. i wake up in the morning i go start feeding them breakfast. i go pick up the phone that's now 126 text messages, and i'm

like, "why am i -- 120 -- it's 7:00 in the morning. because i got nominated for an academy award. >> seth: there you go. [ cheers and applause now, based on that -- like going into the -- you know when you went to bed that night, like, what was your -- what was your thinking i mean, obviously some people had said this was possible but were you - >> some said it was possible i did not think it was >> seth: okay. >> i thought that there was going to be other people who were going to be nominated, and i would have been more than happy to congratulate them and wish them well a young man from "the holdovers," and from "may december," and for other things, right? willem dafoe, et cetera. so i was like, "you know what, if it happens, it happens, if it doesn't, it doesn't. i was not going to sweat it one way or the other i was pleasantly surprised >> seth: it's a very nice thing. >> seth, i'm still -- i feel like a baby in this industry and when i see all the people who i got nominated along with, i'm just like, honored to be a part of the group. >> seth: it is a very nice thing, and it's very well deserved >> thank you >> seth: you're wonderful in the film your wife is also an actor >> she is. >> seth: and she's been nominated for some things in the

past as well >> uh-huh. >> seth: and i was going to ask about who's your plus-one at the academy awards i assumed it would be her. >> so this is -- okay. my wife was the first person ever nominated for something in our -- in our couple she was a series regular on "boston legal" and she got nominated for best ensemble for a screen actors guild award. or, you know, stupid ass gorilla. [ laughter ] and i was like, "oh, man, we get to go to the s.a.g. awards it's going to be so much fun we got to --" and she's like, "actually, sterling, i think i should take my manager, because it's a good networking opportunity for me." [ audience ohs ] and i was like, "oh, cool, cool, cool, i got it, no problem [ laughter ] that's fine, don't worry about it." so then things, like, you know few years later start happening for you boy and she's like, "oh, my god, we get to go to the emmys," and i was like, "we? [ laughter and applause >> seth: this is a very useful lesson >> totally >> seth: about a married couple. and i should say, you and your wife obviously have a nice

perspective on this, and you're also starting a podcast together >> we are. >> seth: this is a launching on valentine's day. >> launching on valentine's day. it's called "we don't always agree. >> seth: okay. >> "with ryan and sterling." we've been married for 18 years, and you guys know if you've been together that long, you don't always agree but you figure a way to make it out and it's -- we had so much fun. we're doing 12 episodes, hopefully if people are enjoying we'll do a season two. >> seth: now, i would ask this, is it -- when you talk to your wife about how you don't agree. >> yeah. >> seth: i would imagine knowing that other people are going to hear it. >> yeah. >> seth: it makes it the best versions of yourself >> no. >> seth: like if my wife -- oh, interesting. >> no, well, what i want is full accountability because my wife will say crazy things when we're by ourselves >> seth: yes >> i was like, "say that [ bleep ] right now. [ light laughter ] >> seth: yeah. >> so that errybody can hear it, and then we'll find out who's crazy. [ laughter ] >> seth: i mean, when i couldn't agree with my more when my wife and i are fighting, the amount i want to be like, "you know what let's do it as a podcast." >> yeah. [ laughter ] >> seth: let's take it out in the streets. >> take it out to the streets.

>> seth: yeah! we'll get some sponsors. >> there you go. >> seth: yeah. i have a lot more to ask you will you stick around? >> yes, sir. >> seth: you guys, that's sterling more after this. [ cheers and applause ♪ (♪♪) i've got to go. ok. bye. mom! (♪♪) -thanks mom. -yeah. (♪♪) (♪♪) you were made to dream about it for years. we were made to help you book it in minutes. need to be at your best? you need an antiperspirant that goes beyond. dove men with 72 hour protection, plus care for your skin. so you can forget your underarms and focus on being unforgettable. dove men.

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another one in the books. but we're just new getting started.a. everything going well? oh yeah. let's take a look at this knee. because it's the work behind the scenes, that truly matters. [ physical therapy staff discusses results ] for your mind. for your body. and for the community. -team! for all that is me, for all that is you. kaiser permanente. did you know dad had affairs? >> oh, for sure. >> how >> you could just tell lisa told me she saw him kissing a white woman once

>> why did i have no idea? why am i the last to know? >> because you loved him too much enemies see each other better than friends [ snoring >> what the hell did you give her? >> oxycodone, knocks them right out. >> you gave her opioids to sleep? >> yeah. you ever see a heroin addict those guys take naps standing up >> it's dangerous. >> look, i'm keeping an eye on her. i'm a doctor >> so am i >> right, maybe if we need to revive a sentence. [ light laughter ] >> seth: we're back here with sterling k. brown. [ cheers and applause that was a clip from "american fiction" with the great jeffrey wright >> yes, amazing. >> seth: couple of things -- one, i just assumed, based on the quality of his work over the years, so consistently excellent. >> absolutely. >> seth: that jeffrey has been nominated for an oscar before. this is his first nomination >> his first nomination. >> seth: even cooler, this is the first time two black actors have been nominated for lead and supporting in the same film. >> isn't that crazy? >> seth: that's crazy! [ cheers and applause and wonderful. >> yeah, like honestly, i've been a part of a couple of firsts, and it's 2024. i was like, "this has happened already, hasn't it?"

i was like "first time?" oh, that's cool. >> seth: it's fun to be the first. it should have happened earlier. but i guess it's nice to be -- >> not too bad >> seth: speaking of fun, it did seem like -- this is a movie that takes on a lot of weighty subjects but it also feels like a film where the cast -- because, i don't know, it's funny how it approaches everything. it seemed like you were all having a good time with one another. >> bro, we had an absolute blast. i mean, we talk about a lot of different things in terms of representation and sort of the narrow milieu in turn what black people are often seen in, and trying to expand the breadth of representation but at the same time, like, it's really, really, really funny and when you're having fun on set, i'm working with my idols, with leslie uggams and jeffrey wright, erika alexander, tracee ellis ross, and i just get a chance to be silly and fun. i'm normally that's the dude has to hold [ bleep ] together and in this one i'm a bit of a mess you're like, "we've got to deal with cliff." so it's fun to sort of occupy that space and we all had a blast. >> seth: yeah, it's nice actually to get to see you as the sibling who's a mess >> yeah, yeah, yeah. >> seth: you've had to do the heavy work >> randall has to hold it

together for a long time now cliff is just like, "i'm gonna -- whatever. >> seth: i want to talk to you about a piece of work that, based on what you've said, you've never been asked about on television before. a role that i don't think anybody -- we talk about representation in the breadth of the roles you're offered >> talk to me. >> seth: you got to play sia in a lonely island video. [ laughter ] this was - >> i really did. >> seth: yeah. [ laughter ] >> it was so much fun. andy came up to me, i shot an episode of "99," and he's like, "hey, man, would you want to come and do this lonely island thing? you get to play sia. i was like, "how does that work?" he was like, "well, i'll show you. you're going to lip sync all of her stuff. and i was like, just - it's called "silk robes and kimonos. and i was like this sounds really dumb and delightful >> seth: yeah. >> sign me up. >> seth: by the way, "dumb and delightful" describes everything they've ever done. [ laughter ] now, this is from the wonderful netflix, i don't even call it -- like a short i don't even know how you would describe "bash." >> but "bash" -- yeah. >> seth: i highly recommend watching it, but here, just for casting, i would say the craziest thing is you play sia,

but then andy plays jose canseco, and akiva schaffer plays mark mcgwire >> right yeah, it's all crazy casting >> seth: nobody's playing who they should. >> no. >> seth: but you know what you guys are all in the pocket let's take a look at a quick clip >> oh, man >> next. ♪ ♪ silk robes and kimono silk robes and kimonos change out o your own clothes ♪ ♪ these athletic days but oh those oakland nights ♪ ♪ [ laughter ] >> seth: it's really good. [ cheers and applause it's really good >> that was fun. oh, man. >> seth: watching it, it's a real - you know, to casting director's everywhere, just open your heart and your mind when you're casting. >> you know what i'm saying? don't be so narrow open your mind >> seth: the funniest thing was they said we can only show ten seconds of the clip because of music licensing. i'm like, "who's coming to get the money? [ bleep ] sandberg [ laughter ] is sandberg going to call up and be like, "hey, that was more than ten seconds." >> that's a good sandberg. >> seth: i have a ery good -- but will they ever cast me as sandberg [ laughter ] no

no, he's going to do it. what a delight to have you back. >> it's a pleasure, man. >> seth: congratulations on everything >> thank you, sir. >> seth: good luck out there >> thank you, seth [ cheers and applause >> seth: the hard part's over. sterling k. brown, everyone. "american fiction" is in theaters right now stick around we'll be right back with melissa rauch. [ cheers and applause ♪ (♪♪) a tiny pinch of knorr chicken bouillon will save you more gas than driving down hill. because just one sip of this delectable, silky, chicken ramen noodle soup, will put an end to your drive-thru dinner rituals. it's time to bring out the cook in you and tell them to throw that knorr bouillon. in that tasty, silky combo of delightful carrots... yummy! ...luscious mushrooms and a touch of bok choy. good call. make your own knorr taste combo. it's not fast food, but it's so good.

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>> seth: you know our next guest from shows like "the big bang theory" and "true blood. she stars in "night court," which airs tuesday nights at 8:00, right here on nbc. let's take a look. >> i know that what i did wasn't technically legal, but i was pushing boundaries like i do with you it's why we're friends, and you love that about me >> i don't love that about you i don't even like you. [ audience ohs ] >> but i'm baby heather. [ light laughter ] >> your honor, in light of this contentious discourse, i'm wondering if maybe you would consider recusing yourself >> oh, you think [ light laughter ] >> seth: please welcome back to the show melissa rauch, everybody. [ cheers and applause ♪ ♪ >> seth: welcome back.

how are you? >> i'm good, how are you >> seth: i'm lovely. i'm so happy to have you here, back on the east coast >> i'm back on the east coast. >> seth: grew up in new jersey >> jersey -- [ cheers ] jersey in the house. hi, jersey >> seth: when that happens it's always the very back row [ laughter ] >> that's where jersey sits. those are my people. hi [ cheers ] it's my family >> seth: now you -- we have children of similar ages, and i'm wondering, do you see any of your own insecurities in your kids as they get a little bit older? >> it's interesting, i do feel like being a parent, just brings up any unresolved issues - >> seth: yes >> -- that you had and i'm realizing that i have some majorly unresolved like latent bullying issues that i never got over like, we were recently at a kids' birthday party at a paint your own pottery place and this kid came up to me and he was like, "we were all talking we want to know, are you an adult or a kid?" [ laughter ] and i -- i felt so triggered and i genuinely wanted to know who he meant by "we.

and it came out as, "oh, yeah, who wants to know? who's the we?" [ laughter ] and i was like, "that's a little aggressive." but preschooler. so, and i was like, "okay, i'm going to reset." i said, you know, it's, people come in all shapes and sizes, and i happen to be on the smaller side." he's like, "oh, no, we all know you're short we've seen you, it's just you're covered in paint." [ laughter ] i was like, "all right all right. >> seth: so it was about being bad at painting? >> it was about being -- and just dripping myself in paint, like a toddler yeah >> seth: by the way, nothing says you're from new jersey more than "oh, who's the 'we'?" [ laughter ] >> exactly come on, you tell me >> seth: i like that you also wanted to roll up the whole group. you're like, "i can't just cut off the head of this thing, i got to figure out who these others." >> exactly, it's going to pop up >> seth: exactly, you're gonna use him against them to testify against the others >> exactly >> seth: what's it like now when you go back home you still have family here >> i do. >> seth: when you visit new jersey, is it nice >> it's so nice. it's very nice being back home we do a lot of looking through old home videos and showing them

to my kids my mom actually pulled out an old home video of a community theater production of "annie," a very jersey "annie." >> seth: all right, so you were annie. >> i was annie >> seth: how old is this annie here [ audience aws ] >> i'm about 13. >> seth: all right, so what's a jersey annie >> it's a lot of "tom-ahr-row, tom-ahr-row. [ laughter ] i love ya tom-ahr-row. that's seeandy, it's my dog seeandy. [ light laughter ] >> seth: i have to say, i kind of only want to see new jersey "annie" now. >> it's pretty great it's pretty great. i might revive it. jersey, you ready? >> seth: yeah, there you go. [ cheers and applause all right, so another thing is, which i'm very delighted by, your mother has been trolling you. now, first of all, i'm very impressed because she's trolling you with a meme, which is so beyond the comprehension of my mother like, i don't even think she'd know what any of those words mean >> that's what's so -- it's completely shocking because it's very much not like my mother so someone must have shown her

maybe those kids from the pottery party have gotten her. but she sends me these pictures whenever i'm on the phone with her or saying anything that i'm saying with confidence that i maybe not 100% correct with, she sends me this meme from me on "celebrity jeopardy!" where i was not sure of my answer. >> seth: so you said this on "celebrity jeopardy! [ light laughter ] >> i did >> seth: "yes, i'm sure about it." now this was an actual moment that became a meme because everybody watching knew you weren't sure >> exactly and i knew i wasn't sure >> seth: okay, gotcha. do you remember what the question was that you were not sure about >> i don't remember. i think i completely blacked out on that entire experience. >> seth: yeah. >> anything that -- just the idea of being questioned, didn't matter what the question was, it was so much pressure >> seth: i will say -- now, again, we're both performers, we've been in front of an audience that strikes me as the most stressful thing you could possibly do. >> it was! and it's also for charity so you really want to do well, and any question they asked me, i was like "ahh! it's terrifying. >> seth: did your charity reach out afterwards, and say like "thanks for nothing" [ light laughter ]

>> luckily, it's a charity that i started, so i was letting myself down. >> seth: oh gotcha, so it was a racket [ laughter ] so just to clarify, you started a charity, for yourself -- >> to win "celebrity jeopardy! >> seth: and raised money for it on jeopardy! okay great, congratulations. >> i'm from jersey, what do you want it's jersey. >> seth: hey, i'm from jersey. [ laughter and applause that would be -- it would be so funny if there had been a "sopranos" episode where tony starts his own charity and goes on "jeopardy!" [ light laughter ] >> it's for a good cause >> seth: eh, give me a break your co-star, who is in the clip, the great john larroquette a giant in comedy. also a physical giant. >> he is >> seth: he is i could not believe it i think he's 6'4." >> he's 6'4. >> seth: he towers over me, and i tower over you [ light laughter ] so what is it like on set with the great john larroquette >> it's the best but i also feel there's a major imbalance in our relationship because i -- like you said, i get to work. the amazing comedic force that is john, he is brilliant, in

every way. he's 6'4", he's got this voice that is like this hot brick of butter like he's just -- he's amazing and he saunters on to set and everyone just -- your eyes go to him because he's this incredible, powerful human being. i -- and i also think about john -- you know that song "where have all the cowboys gone"? >> yeah. >> i believe that they have gone in to john larroquette that is -- [ light laughter ] >> seth: he holds all the old cowboys? >> yeah, he's just -- he's just a cowboy he's so -- he's just a powerful presence me, on the other hand, i hang on him like i am an elf on the shelf. [ laughter ] and i'm so excited to see him every day that i get to work with this man that i greet him like an excited cocker spaniel every day. like, "john, how you doing how was your weekend want to have lunch, want to talk?" and he's so kind and so wonderful with me, like just graciously accepts me hanging on him and my hugs. but there -- our wonderful writers on the show came up with a line for the season premiere, where he says to my character, "you're like a puppet i wouldn't want to buy. and it just encapsulates our

entire relationship. that's perfect >> seth: you have wonderful guest stars on the show. that was jessica st. clair >> yes, one of my best friends in real life >> seth: in real life. and she's just a delight and then one of your "big bang theory" co-stars here. >> yes >> seth: so just tell me, when someone like kunal comes on the show - like, and you're in front of a live audience. it just must be such a delight like "the big bang theory" days, i mean, people must go nuts. >> it was a dream. when he came out, the audience didn't know that he was going to be appearing in that episode and they went absolutely wild, and i was just so filled with delight that he was there. and we had the best time all week it was just like old times even -- that picture actually was a moment after -- kunal is one -- he is just pure heart he's one of the most spiritually enlightened people i know. and just the most down to earth wonderful human. he's also one of the most impeccably dressed humans that i've ever met. >> seth: yeah. it's a real nice coat. >> yes, it's a beautiful coat. and he, for years, has given me a hard time about how i roll into work. every -- for years on "big bang

theory," he showed up to set here, and i'm a producer on the show, too. and he's like, "melissa. [ light laughter ] still, this is still -- you're a producer now you're people's boss please put on something nice." [ light laughter ] and lacretta, who plays our wonderful bailiff, she was like, "well, you guys aren't dressed too differently, you're both wearing black. he's like, "what are you talking about? this is nuts, i am in designer clothing, and she is in forever 21 this is not okay." [ laughter ] and so that picture was taken after he gave me a hard time for my sweatpants. >> seth: he still seems a little upset about it >> he's so angry at me [ light laughter ] >> seth: what a delight to have you back congratulations on the continued success of the show. >> thank you so much [ cheers and applause >> seth: you guys, this is our friend melissa rauch "night court," tuesday nights at 8:00 here on nbc we'll be right back with more "late night. [ cheers and applause ♪ (luke) this will be a gold mine of local intel. just you wait. (marci) right.

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♪ >> announcer: come join the audience at "late night" live in studio 8g. for tickets, head over to latenightsethtickets.com follow us @latenightseth on all social media platforms subscribe to late night seth on youtube. find us online at latenightseth.com. and subscribe to the "late night podcast," featuring "a closer look," guest interviews, and more available wherever you listen to podcasts ♪

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♪ [ cheers and applause >> seth: i want to thank my guests, sterling k. brown, melissa rauch, everybody i want to thank colleen clark, the 8g band. thanks for watching. we love you, everybody [ cheers and applause ♪ ♪ ♪