OH, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THIS IS ALWAYS A TREAT.
MY FIRST GUEST IS AN N.B.A. HALL OF FAMER AND HOST OF "INSIDE THE
NBA."
HE CURRENTLY SERVES AS A STUDIO ANALYST FOR THE N.C.A.A.
TOURNAMENT RIGHT HERE ON CBS AND TBS.
PLEASE WELCOME BACK TO "THE LATE SHOW," CHARLES BARKLEY!
♪ ♪ ♪
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE )
AGAIN.
THANKS FOR BEING HERE.
>> THANK YOU.
I'M GLAD TO BE HERE.
>> Stephen: ALWAYS, ALWAYS NICE TO TALK TO YOU.
>> I'M GLAD TO BE HERE.
>> Stephen: HAPPY TO HAVE YOU.
EVERYBODY WHO HAS A TALK SHOW KNOWS YOU WANT CHARLES BARKLEY
ON BECAUSE THE MAN KNOWS HOW TO TALK.
HE'S NOT AFRAID TO TALK.
>> WE COULD MAKE A GOOD LIVING LIKE THAT.
>> Stephen: WE CAN.
YOU SIT IN A CHAIR, YOU TALK, THEY WRITE YOU A CHECK.
>> YOU TALK TO PEOPLE.
I JUST GET TO WATCH BASKETBALL AND TALK ABOUT IT.
BUT YOU GOTTA -- >> Stephen: TO PEOPLE, THOUGH.
>> YEAH, BUT YOU MEET SOME INTERESTING PEOPLE.
>> Stephen:Y I DO, YEAH, CHARLES BARKLEY IS ONE OF THE
INTERESTING PEOPLE I MEET.
I WANT TO TALK ABOUT MARCH MAD INNOCENCE JUST A MINUTE.
YOU HAVE MADE SOME WEIGHS ON WEIGH IN ON THE JUSSIE SMOLLETT
CONTROVERSY.
>> YEAH.
>> Stephen: YOU HAD SOME ADVICE.
>> WHEN YOU COMMIT A CRIME, DON'T WRITE A CHECK.
DO NOT WRITE A CHECK.
>> Stephen: THAT'S SOUND.
THAT'S SOUND.
>> THAT'S SOUND ADVISE.
>> Stephen: SOUND WISDOM.
NOW, WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THE CHARGES BEING DROPPED?
>> I THINK THAT WE ALL LOSE.
I THINK MY BLACK FRIEND, MY GAY BLACK FRIENDS, I THINK THEY
LOSE, BECAUSE THERE ARE ALL REPERCUSSIONS WHEN YOU ARE A
MINORITY.
THERE'S ALWAYS A DOUBLE STANDARD.
YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT AND ACCEPT THAT.
FOR EVERY BLACK, GAY PERSON OUT THERE, WE LOST.
AND IT'S UNFORTUNATE.
I DON'T KNOW THAT KID.
I WISH HIM NOTHING BUT THE BEST.
BUT YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND, YOU HAVE TO ALWAYS LOOK AT THE BIG
PICTURE.
LIKE, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LOT OF GAY KIDS OUT THERE WHO ARE
STRUGGLING.
THEY'RE GETTING BEAT UP.
THEY'RE GETTING BULLIED, AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
AND THAT'S NOT GOOD.
AND THEN YOU SEE, THERE'S THIS TENUOUS RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE
BLACK COMMUNITY AND THE COPS.
AND WE MADE THE COPS LOOK REALLY BAD IN THIS SCENARIO.
AND THERE'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE SOME RESENTMENT.
SO THE BOTTOM LINE IS EVERYBODY LOST IN THIS SCENARIO.
YEAH.
IT'S NOT GOOD.
( APPLAUSE ).
>> Stephen: NO.
WELL, THANKS NOT ONLY FOR BEING HERE, BUT FOR BEING ON CBS
TOMORROW NIGHT.
>> YEAH.
>> Stephen: THAT MEANS THAT I DON'T HAVE TO WORK FOR THE NEXT
TWO NIGHTS.
BECAUSE WE'RE PREEMPTED BY MARCH MADNESS.
SO THANK YOU FOR JUST, YOU KNOW, CARRYING THE WEIGHT.
>> YOU KNOW, THIS IS THE BEST TIME OF THE YEAR FOR ME.
BECAUSE THERE'S NOTHING LIKE MARCH MADNESS.
NOTHING CAN SCREW UP MARCH MADNESS.
THEY'RE PRETTY GOOD, OREGON IS.
MARCH MADNESS IS SO GOOD, EVEN KENNY AND SHAQ CAN'T SCREW IT
UP.
IT'S JUST UNBEATABLE.
>> Stephen: YOU AND I HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF A GAMBLING HISTORY
IN SPORTS.
>> YES.
>> Stephen: WE BET ON GOLDEN STATE VERSUS CAVALIERS TWICE.
>> YES.
>> Stephen: YOU WON FIRST YEAR.
I WON THE SECOND YEAR.
>> YEAH, WE NEED ANOTHER BET.
>> Stephen: WE'RE EVEN SO-- >> YOU ACTUALLY DIDN'T PAY ME
THE FIRST TIME, THOUGH.
( LAUGHTER ).
>> Stephen: WE WENT DOUBLE OR NOTHING.
WE WENT DOUBLE OR NOTHING THE NEXT YEAR.
>> BEST WAY TO BE FRIENDS, IF YOU PAY ME THE FIRST TIME, YOU
CAN'T JUST KEEP SAYING, "LET'S MAKE ANOTHER BET UNTIL YOU GET
EVEN."
( LAUGHTER ).
>> Stephen: SEE, I'M LEARNING FROM YOU.
I'M NOT-- I'M NOT-- I'M NEW TO SPORTS GAMBLING.
>> BEST WAY-- LIKE, IF YOU BORROWED MONEY FROM SMSH BEST
WAY TO REMAIN FRIENDS WITH THEM IS TO ACTUALLY PAY THEM BACK.
( LAUGHTER ).
>> Stephen: WRITE THAT DOWN.
>> YEAH.
>> Stephen: BUT NOT REQUEST WA CHECK.
>> NO, NOT WITH A CHECK.
>> Stephen: CASH, CASH.
WHO'S YOUR TEAM THIS YEAR?
>> WELL, MY TEAM, I PICK VIRGINIA TO WIN THE WHOLE THING.
>> Stephen: YEAH.
.
>> BUT I'M VERY PROUD, MY AUBURN TIGERS WIN THE SWEET 16.
>> Stephen: YOU'RE NOT-- YOU'RE NOT SHY ABOUT THAT.
THIS IS YOU HIDING YOUR ALLEGIANCES RIGHT THERE.
THAT'S YOU RIGHT OVER HERE.
>> HEY, LISTEN.
( LAUGHTER ).
>> Stephen: WITH AUBURN, OKAY.
>> I'M PROUD OF MY SCHOOL.
YOU KNOW, I CALL THEM "MY KIDS," BECAUSE THEY'RE 18, 19, 21, 22.
I'M SO PROUD OF MY COLLEGE.
I CANNOT WAIT TILL FRIDAY NIGHT.
>> Stephen: OKAY, WHO ARE THEY PLAYING?
>> THE NORTH CAROLINA TARHEELS.
>> Stephen: OKAY, TARHEELS, ALL RIGHT.
JON YOU PULL FOR THE TARHEELS, DON'T YOU?
I LIKE THE TAR HEELS.
>> Stephen: DO YOU WANT TO BET AGAIN?
>> OF COURSE,.
>> Stephen: JON YOU HAVE TO HELP ME WITH THIS.
AS A SOUTH CAROLINIAN I AM NOT ALLOWED TO PULL FOR THE TAR
HEELS.
WE TOGETHER WILL PULL FOR THE TAR HEELS.
YOU PULL FOR AUBURN.
>> YES.
>> Stephen: I'LL MAKE YOU A BET THAT IF-- IF-- HERE IS THE
LUGLIEST TIE WE COULD FIND.
AND IF I WIN, YOU HAVE TO WEAR THIS TIE ON THE AIR.
( LAUGHTER )
THIS TIED ON THE AIR.
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ) >> I'LL TELL YOU WHAT.
DEPENDING ON WHAT HAPPENS FRIDAY NIGHT.
>> Stephen: YUP.
>> I'LL EVEN-- I'LL EITHER WEAR IT SUNDAY OR YOU WEAR IT MONDAY.
>> Stephen: IT'S A DEAL.
>> WE HAVE A DEAL.
>> Stephen: IT'S A DEAL.
>> Jon: OH, YEAH.
I'M WITH IT.
I LIKE THAT!
>> I'M GOING TO HAVE TO GO DEEP, DEEP, DEEP IN MY CLOSET TO TRY
TO FIND SOMETHING TO MATCH THAT.
>> Stephen: I'LL MAIL THIS TO YOU.
I'LL MAIL THIS TO YOU.
>> I'M IN NEW YORK!
>> Stephen: WHAT?
>> I'M HERE.
>> Stephen: I'LL WALK IT OVER.
>> YOU WALK IT OVER.
>> Stephen: WE SHOULD WATCH THE GAME TOGETHER.
>> IF YOU CAME BY THE STUDIO, THE GUYS WOULD GO CRAZY.
>> Stephen: REALLY?
>> YES.
>> Stephen: I'M KNOWN AS A BIG SPORT FAN.
>> COME BY THE STUDIO.
>> Stephen: WHERE IS THE STUDIO?
>> IT'S SOMEWHERE HERE IN NEW YORK.
I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHERE IT'S AT.
>> Stephen: I'VE GOT PLANS.
I'M SORRY.
I'VE GOT PLANS.
NOW, HERE'S THE DEAL.
WE HAD OUR FRIEND MATTHEW McCONAUGHEY OVER HERE, AND HE
PUMPS UP THE TEAM DOWN AT U.T., DOWN IN TEXAS.
WE HAVE A CAMERA RIGHT HERE POINTED AT YOU.
DO YOU WANT TO PUMP UP YOUR OWN.
>> WHICH ONE AM I LOOKING AT?
OKAY, AARON!
LISTEN TO ME!
WHEN YOU WERE GROWING UP AS A LITTLE KID, YOU KNOW THE BIG
PROGRAMS -- NORTH CAROLINA, DUKE, KANSAS, MICHIGAN STATE,
U.C.L.A.
WE ARE AUBURN!
WE'RE A FAMILY.
YOU GET A CHANCE TO PLAY AGAINST NORTH CAROLINA, ONE OF THE BEST
COLLEGES IN THE HISTORY OF COLLEGE BASKETBALL AND MARCH
MADNESS!
LET'S SHOCK THE WORLD!
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE )
TRY UPDATE N.C.
>> Jon: THAT WAS GOOD.
>> Stephen: LISTEN UP, RIGHT OVER HERE!
LISTEN UP, U.N.C.!
LISTEN UP TAR HEELS.
I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THAT MASCOT NAME MEANS, BUT IT DOESN'T
MATTER!
YOU'VE GOT TAR ON YOUR HEELS!
THAT'S GOOD IN SOME WAY!
AND I'M FROM SOUTH CAROLINA, AND I FORGIVE YOU FOR YOUR BARBECUE!
( LAUGHTER )
DIG DEEP!
FIND THAT EXTRA GEAR.
PUT THE ROUND THING IN THE THING AND PUT IT THROUGH!
I DON'T WANT TO WEAR THAT TIE!
PLEASE!
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE )
OKAY.
LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS.
NOW, YOU'VE GOT TO KNOW, HERE IS-- HERE IS-- WHAT IS THIS?
WHAT IS THIS?
THE 64?
>> THE 68.
>> Stephen: 68 RIGHT THERE.
AND YOU'VE GOT TO KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT ALL THESE TEAMS, RIGHT?
YOU HAVE ALL OF THIS UP IN THE OLD NOGGIN UP THERE.
>> A LOT OF STUFF UP THERE.
>> Stephen: I'M GOING TO QUIZ YOU.
I'M GOING TO THROW A DART AT ONE OF THESE TEAMS.
>> OKAY.
>> Stephen: AND YOU TELL ME SOMETHING ABOUT THEM.
READY?
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON-- WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON BUFFALO?
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF BUFFALO THIS YEAR?
>> WELL, BUFFALO'S HAD A GOOD COUPLE OF YEARS.
THEY HAVE A COACH, NATE OATS, HE'S DONE A FANTASTIC JOB.
THEY'RE A GOOD-SIZED TEAM.
THEY'RE GREAT YONSIVELY.
THEY'RE STINGY DEFENSIVELY.
YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PLAY WELL TO BEAT THIS TEAM.
>> Stephen: THAT'S NICE.
QUIZ ME.
AND I CAN DO THAT.
I COULD DO THAT.
HIT ME.
YEAH.
>> U.C.F.
>> Stephen: U.C.F.?
>> YES.
>> Stephen: WHAT I ADMIRE ABOUT THAT TEAM IS THEY ARE SO
STRONG ON THE FUNDAMENTALS, OKAY.
THEY'RE NOT FLASHY, BUT THAT GAME-- WHO ARE THEY PLAYING
AGAIN?
>> THEY JUST LOST TO DUKE.
>> Stephen: THEY JUST LOST TO DUKE, AND YOU KNOW WHY?
THEY REALLY CONS TRAIPTED TOO MUCH ON THE FUNDAMENTALS.
THEY HAVE-- THEY HAVE BEEN A LITTLE FLASHIER.
THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN A LITTLE FLASHIER.
THAT'S THEIR PROBLEM.
THAT'S THEIR PROBLEM RIGHT THERE.
>> THAT'S ALL YOU'VE GOT TO DO.
BUT YOU ALWAYS TELL PEOPLE, 90% OF THE PEOPLE AT HOME DON'T KNOW
WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON, EITHER.
( LAUGHTER )
WHATEVER YOU SAY.
I>> Stephen: YOU SHOULD GO INTO POLITICS.
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ) I WOULD VOTE FOR YOU!
I WOULD VOTE FOR YOU!
HEY, 2020, MAN!
I WOULD VOTE FOR YOU.
WHO WOULD VOTE FOR CHARLES BARKLEY?
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ).
>> Stephen: THINK ABOUT IT.
>> HEY, WE NEED SOMEBODY.
HEY.
WE NEED SOMEBODY.
>> Stephen: WE HAVE TO TAKE A BREAK.
PLEASE DON'T GO ANYWHERE.
WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH MORE CHARLES BARKLEY.