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Intense
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Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
Things got a bit big picture on The Late Show last night. Stephen Colbert invited comedian and former star of The Office Ricky Gervais onto his show Thursday night and wasted no time diving into the debate that divided them last time Colbert interviewed Gervais. However, what started as a tense interview morphed into an intelligent and respectful conversation about the existence of God.
This isn’t the first time the duo have argued about the meaning of the universe. In February, the pair argued it out, again on The Late Show. Basically, Gervais identifies as an agnostic atheist, and Colbert is Catholic. For Gervais’ return, Colbert almost seemed eager to dive back into the debate that separated them a few months ago. However, Round 2 was a bit more light-hearted than the pair’s initial debate.
After Colbert explains to Gervais the concept of hell in Christianity, Gervais says “Sounds a bit far-fetched to me.”
“It’s OK for me to believe in my religious story. Everyone else’s religious story is a cult,” Colbert jokes back.
But the really good stuff doesn’t come until the pair starts talking about Lord of the Rings. Colbert, a devoted and outspoken nerd, has expressed his love for Tolkien on several occasions, but Gervais dismisses the series as nonsense.
“What’s wrong with nonsense? Does everything have to be real to you?” Colbert asks,
“OK, I’m a Catholic,” Gervais fires back cheekily. “If nonsense is OK, I’m in.”
In case you’re keeping track at home, Colbert has now won his theology debate with Gervais if sarcasm doesn’t count. Much like last time, Colbert and Gervais’ interview watches like two people who love to respectfully rib each other. In 2017, it’s nice to see two people who can keep their cool when they disagree.
