On Thursday night, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert surprised viewers with a unique cold open featuring Guillermo del Toro, promoting the director’s new project using the fictional “Frankenstein’s Monster Energy Drink.” The segment blended elements of the classic Mary Shelley story with a playful nod to modern energy drinks, capturing attention before the show’s opening credits.
A Playful Twist on Frankenstein’s Monster
The cold open presented a high-production faux commercial for “Frankenstein’s Monster Energy Drink,” a product humorously crafted by mixing the Monster Energy brand with del Toro’s fresh cinematic take on the Frankenstein legend. Announcer Jen Spyra introduced the sketch as a special sponsorship for the episode, setting up del Toro to pitch the energizing concoction himself.
Standing over a figure resembling Frankenstein’s monster on a table, del Toro promoted the drink as
“the only beverage guaranteed to make you feel alive.”
He identified the monster as Jacob Elordi, the actor portraying the creature in del Toro’s recent film. The ad’s humorous tone took a meta turn when Stephen Colbert interrupted, pointing out that the actor in the costume was not Jacob Elordi at all.
The Truth Behind the Monster Costume
Del Toro clarified the confusion by introducing the man in the suit as Jay Cubalordee, who he jokingly referred to as his neighbor’s landscaper. In reality, the person under the mask was Brian Stack—The Late Show’s writer and an experienced late-night performer—who had previously portrayed Frankenstein’s monster in a segment known as The Colbert Questionnaire. Stack’s return to the role sparked a moment of lighthearted confusion when Colbert mistakenly called the show by its old name, The Colbert Report.
Comic Exchanges Between Colbert and del Toro
Stephen Colbert firmly rejected the mock commercial’s pitch, saying,
“You can’t sell your crapping product on The Late Show. Guillermo, we stand for something.”
Del Toro responded cheekily by questioning if the show had been canceled, leading Colbert to propose his own fictional product: The Choco-Late Show Protein Shake.
Although del Toro did not participate in a traditional interview for Thursday’s episode, his special appearance reflected an ongoing relationship with The Late Show. He previously contributed in 2015, suggesting iconic monsters for the program and appearing alongside the cast of his film Crimson Peak.
Significance of del Toro’s Appearance
This inventive cold open highlights Guillermo del Toro’s playful approach to promoting his work, demonstrating his ability to blend creativity with humor. By engaging with Stephen Colbert in this unconventional format, del Toro keeps the anticipation alive for his adaptation of Frankenstein, while also showcasing the willingness of The Late Show to experiment with new ways to entertain its audience. The interaction between del Toro, Colbert, and the recurring Frankenstein’s monster character hints at possible future collaborations or special segments, keeping fans eager for what’s next.
