The Bad Penny (beta)

USA Today, The Huffington Post, People and other media outlets are baffled as to why Cher is apparently trying to get in touch with Paul Giamatti. The answer is simple: Because, two months ago on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, the actor pleaded with the pop-music icon to be on his podcast.

During Giamatti’s latest appearance on Late Night, the frequent guest and 2024 Oscar nominee (for The Holdovers) told Colbert that Cher is the “dream guest” he wanted to have on his Chinwag podcast. Philosopher/author Stephen Asma co-hosts the program, which explores various conspiracy theories and altered states of consciousness.

When Colbert asked Giamatti to name the “white whale” guest he’d most like to have on the podcast, on which Colbert himself has appeared, the actor quickly answered: “The big game I want to bag is Cher.” The surprised audience began mildly applauding, to which Giamatti jocularly replied: “Can you feel that? Me and Cher in the same room, talking about Sasquatch?”

Later in the conversation — after Colbert mentioned that Cher is a fan of Giamatti’s hit Showtime program Billions — noted Giamatti formally invited Cher onto Chinwag. He remarked to the camera: “Cher, it’s Paul Giamatti. If you’re watching, baby, I’m here.”