Christoph Waltz And Stephen Were Both Altar Boys

Having seen a few American interviews with Christoph Waltz, I don't think American television is geared for this level of subtlety and intelligence.

It was really cool to see how Colbert adapts to guests' comfort, because he opened with the regular Hollywood, phony late night shite, but whenever it was clear that Waltz wasn't really into that phoniness Colbert like just switched into a more calm, and personal style of interview using shared life experiences to bond over, whilst also looking for jokes to make. Really good interviewing, and watching Waltz go from like clearly not enjoying it for the first few minutes, to like talking and engaging with Stephen like he was an old friend

As an European this interview felt very normal and not really awkward to be honest. I love Mr.Waltz

He's not weird he's just a very european man

His sense of humor is SO dry, it sometimes doesn't translate well. He's actually very funny and witty if you can see it. VERY talented dude, amazing actor.

So sad that so many people think this interview is odd, just shows that seriousness isn't interesting to people. Real conversation, not stupid Fallon jokes.

Christoph is Austrian, although they try to be more "nicer" than Germans. They usually act like this. It's not rude, that's how they act. Keep to themselves, talk for something meaningful not for some little chat.

I think Colbert is the only late night host who matches waltz on an intellectual level

I don't see the awkwardness of the interview as some people have commented. It felt like a conversation with friends. Not everything is comical and extremely animated. Stephen is a great interviewer. He can be light hearted and serious.

I get the impression that Waltz is basically just tired of all the fake shit that pervades modern culture, and doesn't bother to give it or people's boring expectations the time of day, let alone respect. He has a certain humorous nihilism to his sensibility that I really like. You don't see it too often. It throws people, especially on mainstream American TV, and YouTube viewers, it seems. People don't expect blunt humour and society-defying comments, but people with them tend to be the most interesting and long-lasting in the meme of society. David Bowie was like this a lot in many of his interviews, especially in the 90s. He gave off a sense of being slightly frustrated at being one step ahead, or one step liberated beyond everybody else.

That was the essence of viennese humor. A long serious build up , a punchline and a smirk , which is when you realize you’ve been had and he’s loving it 😄

I thought colbert did an excellent interview here. It was def a case of the interviewee being uncomfortable to start but warming up completely by the end. Its actually quite amazing to see how well Colbert could relate the questions to Waltz. Colbert's niche is defintely his ability to use actual knowledge in a way that interests the guest. Fallon is fun but there is no way he can talk about religion, philosophy, or world culture with a movie star.

I absolutely adore Christoph Waltz. His accent, his charm, his class, and his ability to play an SS colonel and still receive recognition for his acting capability in not just the US, but all of Europe. It's a true testament to his skill as a performer.

you know its a genius joke when you dont expect to come back to the original premise (death), but he connects it anyway

"That I believe ... is a mortal sin." nods enthusiastically Gotta love Christoph Waltz 😂

He's a very intellectual kind of person (and prob sick if interviews) and it makes every interviewer sounds like a dumbass. But Stephen handled it very beautifully. It's like a very nice chill conversation between 2 mature men to me XD

I've seen the Jimmy Fallon interview with C. Waltz here on Youtube, which Fallon handled awefull: Waltz tried to lead a conversation while Fallon acted like a 12 year old boy. I guess Waltz expected something similar here and that's maybe the reason why he was visible uncomfortable on the begin with S. Colbert. After he realized Colbert wants to lead a real conversation he warmed up.

As a German I can tell you, he's telling the truth about the Viennese being a morbid people.

Don't forget, the German/Austrian culture is simply very different to what we Americans are used to. I have some relatives that were born and raised in Germany and when we talk it is very similar to what I just saw happen in this interview. the biggest difference I noticed is the sense of humor. at least with my relatives, it is incredibly dry, and sometimes more morbid than what would be acceptable to an American audience. Different doesn't mean that they are uncomfortable or acting superior or performing or being "real". this looks like an honest interaction between two intelligent and friendly men who were raised in incredibly different cultures.

I was born and raised in Vienna and yes, I started planing my funeral in my early teens. I changed it a little through the years, but death is and always was very present. I wouldn´t say funerals are the happiest times though. but I know a lot of people who just go for a walk at a cemetary. not because they´re goth, but because cemetaries in Vienna are really beautiful and very soothing.