Playing alter-ego Donny Franks, Stephen Colbert — wearing a fake goatee, sunglasses and a Bulls jersey— shot hot dogs into a small crowd at the Democratic National Convention. After all, Illinois is “one of the few states where you’re allowed to open-carry a hot dog cannon,” he said.
Colbert, playing the humble hot dog vendor, also interviewed Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker at the United Center, asking him how he takes his Chicago dog.
“With mustard and everything else, but no ketchup,” Pritzker said.
“A terrorist is going to blow up the Bean unless you have ketchup on a hotdog, do you eat the ketchup on the hot dog,” Colbert questioned.
“Mustard only,” Pritzker responded.
“That is the right answer,” Colbert said definitively.
The pre-recorded skit was a part of Colbert’s Wednesday broadcast of the “Late Show,” the third he’s hosted at a packed Auditorium Theatre in Chicago during the DNC. The show included an interview with U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and a performance of “Together” from Chicago native Chance the Rapper, after primetime convention speeches wrapped up a few miles away.
During his opening monologue, Colbert highlighted the speech from “simple former Chicago resident” Oprah Winfrey, who characterized the presidential election as a choice between “common sense” and “nonsense.”
“This year Oprah’s favorite things include a functioning democracy, reproductive rights and a Philips 3000 series brand air fryer,” Colbert said. “Enjoy your democracy with the crispiest potato skins imaginable.”
Colbert also noted that he’s enjoyed generous food portions while in Chicago, so much so that observant viewers might notice his slightly larger suit each night, before transitioning into a summary of Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s Wednesday speech. She told Republicans, who might be thinking about reversing same-sex marriage protections, that they can “pry this wedding band from my cold, dead, gay hand, and I’m retaining a lot of water so good luck with that.”
“Same, girl,” Colbert said pointing to his wedding ring. “I’m also retaining water, because you know what doesn’t discriminate based on who you love — Al’s Italian Beef.”
Like with the previous two “Late Shows” on Monday and Tuesday, Wednesday night’s broadcast went on late, carrying on past midnight due to lengthy DNC speeches. “The Daily Show” is also shooting all week from the Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture in Chicago.
