'One step closer to space bruschetta': Stephen Colbert hilariously addresses NASA finding missing tomato

NASA astronaut Frank Rubio found a missing tomato eight months after it went missing
PUBLISHED DEC 17, 2023
Stephen Colbert talked about remains of a tiny tomato lost by a NASA astronaut (@TheLateShow/Youtube)
Stephen Colbert talked about remains of a tiny tomato lost by a NASA astronaut (@TheLateShow/Youtube)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The December 15 episode of 'The Late Show With Stephen Colbert' covered various interesting news, ranging from the recent seizure of Mountain Dew, Jolly Ranchers, and Swedish Fish in the UK to the mysterious disappearance of a bronze top hat from an Abraham Lincoln statue in Kentucky.

However, one story stole the show: Colbert highlighted the recent discovery of a missing tomato grown in space by NASA astronaut Frank Rubio. The accusation that he ate it in secret led to a humorous reenactment of the incident.



 

NASA is 'One step closer to... space bruschetta'

Colbert began, "A tomato missing at the space station for months has been found by NASA astronauts."

"Next they just have to find the missing garlic, baguette, and olive oil and science will be one step closer to... space bruschetta!", he continued. 

Rubio grew the tomato on the International Space Station as The New York Times reported (@TheLateShow/Youtube)
Rubio grew the tomato on the International Space Station as The New York Times reported (@TheLateShow/Youtube)

Colbert's hilarious comments came after NASA astronaut and U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Frank Rubio achieved a significant milestone by cultivating the first tomato ever grown in space last March. His accomplishment came after setting a record for the longest single spaceflight by an American, spending an impressive 371 days in orbit.

In an intriguing twist on the International Space Station, The New York Post reported that Frank Rubio successfully grew a tomato, but it mysteriously disappeared. Despite accusations of consuming it, Rubio asserted he securely velcroed it in place. He said, he "was pretty confident that I velcroed it where I was supposed to velcro it,” but that when he came back, “it was gone".

NASA astronaut and Expedition 68 Flight Engineer Frank Rubio became a pioneer when he grew and harvested one of the first tomatoes ever grown in space in March of this year (NASA)
Frank Rubio became a pioneer when he grew and harvested one of the first tomatoes ever grown in space in March of this year (NASA)

Colbert continued, "It's one small dish for man... never quite enough for the table".

The case of the missing tomato even went all the way to the top, with NASA's deputy administrator Pam Melroy asking Rubio if he had eaten it and Rubio answering "I wish I had at this point, because I everybody thinks I did", he stated. 

He then asserts that 'Late Night' show team had "video footage from nasa of the astronauts fighting over the tomato" but showing a fight scene from Star Trek. 

'We need a Netflix series about this space tomato drama'

The internet was in splits after the tale of the missing tomato NASA, that was lost in space for 8 months, was highlighted on the 'Late Night show'.

The comments were as hilarious as the story itself, with some of them reading, "Can you imagine years of intensive training to become an astronaut, and being known as the guy who may have secretly eaten the tomato?".

(@TheLateShow/Youtube)
'Being known as the guy who may have secretly eaten the tomato' (@TheLateShow/Youtube)
(@TheLateShow/Youtube)
'Netflix series about this space tomato drama' (@TheLateShow/Youtube)

"We need a Netflix series about this space tomato drama," the other user said.

(@TheLateShow/Youtube)
'Phelps ate the last tomato' (@TheLateShow/Youtube)

"The first murder on Mars, and you know it's inevitable, will probably be over a tomato. "Phelps ate the last tomato! The last tomato for two years until new seeds arrive from Earth. Even then we still need to grown them, again! Phelps had it coming!," said another user.

(@TheLateShow/Youtube)
'Yeah, that poor astronaut' (@TheLateShow/Youtube)
(@TheLateShow/Youtube)
'It's an alien replicant which will trigger a vegetable apocalypse' (@TheLateShow/Youtube)

"Yeah, that poor astronaut! You know for 8 months they've been calling him "tomato-eater!," said a social media user 

"They think they found the tomato, but little do they know it's actually an alien replicant which will trigger a vegetable apocalypse when it reaches Earth," said a social media user.

In the end of the clip, Colbert was seen taking a break before welcoming Greta Gerwig for the next segment. 

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